Another RC-10CE back from the dead

[reklund5]

Hello,

I'm new to the forum, and still a novice when it comes to R/C. I still have my cars from when I was a kid, both an original Grasshopper and a RC-10CE. I got the notion the other day to see if they still ran, and was surprised to see the RC-10 still worked. (I apparently blew up the trans in the Grasshopper and stuffed it in a box 20 years ago, and forgot about it, because it made terrible sounds but doesn't move...)

The old nicad batteries were shot, so I bought some Ni-MH batteries at the local hobby shop, and the new charger they insisted that I needed to charge them. I ran the car and while it all worked, it only seemed about half as fast as I remember. A little more thinking, and I remembered that it quit running at full power years ago, and thats probably why I quit playing with it anyway. I figured out that I was only getting 5V at full throttle to the motor connector, and after trying repeatedly to get my old ESC reset, it just wouldn't put out full power (It was an old Futaba MC112B) so I bought a new "Tazer" that they had in a dusty box at the hobby shop. Apparently everyone has gone brushless, and finding old stuff in stock locally is difficult here in Las Vegas.

New ESC, and the old car rips as good as ever. The tires are shot, but it's still a hoot. When I was a kid I put a " Speedworks 427" motor in it that I was told was good by the hobby shop guys. I have no idea if it is or not, but it was supposed to be better than whatever came in the RC-10CE kit, and it was faster. I suspect the motor was more than the old ESC could handle- but the new one is rated for 15 Turn motors, and if I remember the old speedworks was a 17 Turn.

Anyhow, now that I'm older and have some time to tinker, I'd like to see if I can upgrade the old car a bit. I remember bearing kits for the wheels and trans- mine is all bushings. I also remember some upgraded dogbones and rear hubs- is that sill worth pursuing? Looks like most of the new wheels are a 12mm hex drive in the rear, while mine just have a roll pin pressed through the shaft that engages the wheel to drive it. Does anyone still make wheels, or do I have to convert to new parts?

I've done some reading on this forum, and learned quite a bit, but am honestly lost as to where to start, as so much has changed. Any advice, comments, or links to articles, posts, or new parts are appreciated!

Here a couple pictures of the old car and my Futaba Magnum Sport radio

[Charlie don't surf]

Welcome aboard, there are tons of little things you can do to modernize you car if you want to run it more reliably, I'll get a few links up for you shortly

[Lonestar]

Nice original CE - welcome to the forum!!!

Paul

[markbt73]

Nice looking car! I'm in the process of reviving a very similar car myself. Short answer about parts availability: yes, but it may be cheaper or easier to swap out some components for newer parts. A surprising amout of things seem to be compatible (or at least able to be adapted) between these old ones and the latest and greatest, but some things just aren't around anymore. Just search around; if it can be done, someone has probably done it. (That's the nice thing about dealing with 20 year old technology; you don't have to reinvent any wheels.)

[RC104ever]

Welcome! Have a loooong read of all the threads in the Temple RC forum and also read this as it may answer some of your questions:

http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=24904

I modernized mine with some JC Racing wheels, 2.2" rubber, Castle ESC and motor, Gens Ace Lipo and have been having a complete blast reliving my youth. The car has been GPS verified at 48 mph on my street so its really fast now too.

Have fun, and enjoy this place - its a great site with a bunch of amazing and really helpful guys.

[reklund5]

Thanks for the tips and links guys. I'll look into some modern wheels for now, and maybe some LiPo/Brushless if I get really into playing with this thing again.

Do they make direct-fit modern wheels? Or will I need some type of adapter? My old fronts have bronze bushings- can I get a set with some bearings? What about the rear? Can I put some bearings back there with my existing dogbones/drive axle setup?

School me!

Ryan

[jwscab]

jc racing wheels are direct fit to use 2.2" tires. Out of the UK, they used to be on Ebay but they have their own website now.

avidrc for bearings, standard and rubber sealed bearings are a buck each, best deal/quality out there.

[RC104ever]

Yes, go to jcracingproducts.co.uk and look under products, wheels, 1/10 offroad.

Here is a pic of the yellow ones

[accord98j]

Good lookin buggy!! I have the same RC10CE, i also decided to get mine out after 20 years and rebuild it. Been workin on it for 2 months now, got brushless, lipo, new ESC. Got most of my stuff from amazon(turnbuckles, dogbones....) My motor and ESC from Hobbywing. Just ran it for the first time today and that thing was crazy fast, wheelies and all, ran for bout 15 minutes and i melted my idler gear. I just ordered a metal gear for it, should be here some time next week!!!! I didn't think i would be able to find anything for this car when i first started until i found this site, you can find anything you want for your rc10 on the net, just have to look. If ya have any questions bout finding crap just let me know, i'll help ya dude. I'll have pics and video's posted when i get this thing running again sometime next week!!! Peace

[reklund5]

Thanks for the help guys! New wheels are enroute from the UK, and I'll pick up some tires at the local hobby shop when the wheels arrive. Will the larger wheels necessitate different gearing to maintain speed? Also, I'm looking at bearing kits for it from Boca Bearing. Looks like I'll need a kit for the stealth trans and another general kit for the car? Will it include bearings for the rear wheel/hubs? Mine have lots of play in the bushings and I want to tighten it up some. It should include front bearings for sure right?

Ryan

[RC104ever]

Different gears not needed but I would recommend avid RC bearings

[reklund5]

Just got done installing a full bearing kit in the old car. You guys didn't tell me it would make it like a whole new car to drive! I can't believe the difference between the old worn out bushings and the new bearings. I just got the cheap set from Boca Bearing, and they are great! My new wheels from the UK arrived, and I'll head to the hobby shop tomorrow and see if they have a decent set of tires for knocking around on the pavement. I'll probably buy another set of knobbies/ribs to install on the original wheels for the dirt too.

I need to find a new body and paint it up, as the old one looks, well, old. The color scheme is ok, but the stickers are terrible. I guess I didn't have much taste when it came to those things when I was a kid...

I'm having a blast with this old toy- glad there is still a following for them!

Ryan

[reklund5]

So I've noticed the turning radius now sucks with the newer (larger) wheels and tires. Any tips on gaining back what I lost?

[RC104ever]

You can increase the end point adjustments on your servo, assuming your radio is able to do this of course.