Fireblade

[DA_cookie_monstA]

Right, I have owned many versions of the blade in the past, had a break from racing, see the car hasn't really changed much, and still using the basic design from the Cougar 2000.

What I want to know is, do Schumacher have ANY plans on either doing a Changing rooms make over on it, or doing a complete new job of it???

If they aren't doing anything special to it, does anyone out there is RC Racechat land have any GOOD tips for the car, and by that, I don't mean, changing the shock pistons, or running alloy bodies on the shocks.

Cheers in advance for your informative, and some, witty replies....

[Robfo]

The best advise i can give to a fireblade owner would be this.
Step one: Pick the car up and check it over for any useful bits that can be taken off
Step two: go outside, take a deep breath and know you are doing the best thing for the car
Step three: drop it in the bin and smile
Step four: go and buy a proper buggy

Only a personal opinion, anyone who has managed to get a blade to handle, i give you a hearty round of applause

[marcoski]

ROFLOL - you could have more fun with step 3 - drive your 1:1 car over it a few times, or feed it slowly through a grinder ;D ;D

[DA_cookie_monstA]

I used to LOVE me Blade, the acceleration on it was outstanding, and, yes, they could do with a lot more droop on the wishbones to ride te bumps, but, for racing stock, it did me proud, I couldn't get to grips with the tip toe feel of the B2, and, well, step 3 was used for my Losi XX, well, it did it itself, at cheltenham, as it just fractured apart in the end.

Anyways, back on topic.... any USEFULL tips, that will help the car perform better, not die purlease ;D;D

[MattW]

Are you thinking of any specific version?? As the EVO could be made to work quite well on certain tracks.

[DA_cookie_monstA]

I would be looking at the latest release of the car, so that would make it the Evo 2 if I am not mistaken.

I gather I need to get the slipper assembly, alloy shock bodies, spring kit, titanium hing pins and turnbuckles.

Is there anything else I need apart from Carbon Fibre, or are there any mods for it.

OR

Is there something new in the pipeline 2wd wise from the Schumacher stable??

[MattW]

Correct.

My car has a slipper, Alloy idler, Tungsten diff bits, "better" shocks, Titanium stuff.

I haven't got carbon on the car. Quite a few people (not everybody) that have tried it really didn't like it. They said that the car was too stiff and just didn't feel right. That said there are/were a few that run it.

Don't think there is much else.

[DA_cookie_monstA]

Cheers Mat, I don't know many who liked my car either, when I had it, and yeah, torsionally, the chassis feels stiff, and the suspension uncompliant, but you have to take the thing by the scruff of the neck and drive it like you were being chased.

Thanks for the reply.

[Mossy]

Cheers Mat, I don't know many who liked my car either, when I had it, and yeah, torsionally, the chassis feels stiff, and the suspension uncompliant, but you have to take the thing by the scruff of the neck and drive it like you were being chased.



I think it does some it up in that the car was a 'drivers car' if you understand what i mean. Ive raced a Blade for a long time now, and some of the criticism it has taken on this thread is a little harsh ::). There hasnt really been any problem with the car for a number of years, the only problem i found this year is that when the B4 arrived, it just couldnt handle aswell. To be fair tho, not many cars can match the B4 (inc Losi). It does struggle a little on bumby tracks, and one aspect of the car i have worked alot on is how to make it jump better, but its not all bad. I was still making A finals at Nationals this year earlier on, on two completely varying circuits (Tiverton and Kidderminster) so its by no means useless. I think the only thing to say is it needs 'updating' a little, to make it more competitive. 8)

To get back on to the post, I agree with everything Matt has said with regards to upgrades. I ran a mixture of both the carbon and S1 chassis throughout the year, and ran two different cars at the Euros with each chassis combination on. I personally prefered the Carbon version. The car felt more lively than the S1 and abit more responsive. If anyone has seen my cars go round you will know that i need alot of steering on the car, and for it to be responsive so i can make it do what i want and not the other way round. The carbon seemed to help with this, although obviously its personal preference.

If anyone needs any set ups for the Blade, on any surface (cause im sure i raced on them to) then just pm me, or Matt for that matter, and im sure we will see what we can do. ;D

[glypo]

On the subject on the fireblade...

I need to know what to get for my 'blade (evo 2) now I’m upgrading to a faster motor.

I am using a Mtroniks Cirrus ESC and probably be using a Peak Vantage or Orion Revolution somewhere around the 12t mark.

Now i suppose the wisest thing i can do is put a slipper on?? And maybe an alloy idler?

The car is not for proper racing but for messing around with mates and bashing around on a monster truck track, hence i have not been using a slipper with the 16t i am currently using. However would i be right in thinking that with a 12t it would be uncontrollable without a slipper?

I would be grateful if you can tell me if i need these and what other stuff you think.

(BTW i am already using alloy shocks, full CF, ballraced steering but not much else)

Thanks!

[DA_cookie_monstA]

A slipper would be a wise choice, even for the 16t, it takes a a bit of the shock loading off the drive train, especially the driveshafts, and it is a wise buy, even when racing stock.

The only other thing I would buy is the titanium turnbuckles and hinge pins, just to make it a little more robust.

[MattW]

I would say that an alloy idler was quite important. I only got a few meetings out of the std one. If you don't go with a slipper, then i would say you will struggle to keep the front wheels on the ground.

[DA_cookie_monstA]

Don't they ship the alloy idler gear as standard now, I thought they would of included that in the kit, as the white one is totally pants....

[MattW]

I haven't bought a kit in about 4 years ::) so i'm not totally sure, but i don't think so.

[glypo]

My kit is about 2 years old so i have only got the plastic idler. I'll go and get the alloy one now then.

Thanks guy's, i'm going to get Slipper, Alloy Idler and the Ti set.

Thanks again!

[glypo]

Hi it's me again ::)

Just a quick question about the 'blades shocks. In the blades speed secret options are these 'pro' shocks, but what exactly are they?

Full alloy?
Alloy bodies/Plastic seal housing?
Or something completely different?

I think it might just be me, but i can't get on with the plastic shocks. With my menace (which comes with alloy bodies - in lovely purple, but plastic seal housing) I found that just the alloy bodies made them better but the plastic housings still leaked, after converting to alloy seal housings (so menace now has full [purple] alloy shocks), and found that having full alloy makes the shock smooth with virtually no leaking.

If these pro shocks for the Fireblade are the full alloy ones I’ll have to get them, if not I’ll buy the individual parts.

Also does anyone think that any of the other manufactures make better shocks that will fit?

If so I’d like to hear :)



thanks guys

Also merry christmas to you all, for the 15 mins left. And yes i'm so obssed with RC i'm on here at 10mins to Midnight on x-mas day!

[MattW]

The Pro Shocks use the hard adondised body (sort of grey/green colour) but still have the plastic seal housings.

To improve the shocks i recomend using the MIP blue seal to replace the small Schumacher seal in the bottom of the housing. This is generally a smoothness thing rather than "sealing" but i feel they are an improvement.

[glypo]

Thanks for that Matt.

I now have full alloy shocks and using the seal you suggested. Also got the idler but my local shop didn't have a slipper in, which is extremly unusual considering who they are.

So i'm using a 12t without a slipper - interesting. It's not actually to bad and setting my punch to minimum on my esc has really helped it to keep front wheels on the ground.

[glypo]

The only relevance this has to the topic is that it's about the fireblade. Now everyones said slipper, slipper, slipper.... whenever i ask what to get. However as i said above my local modelshop didn't have a slipper so i used it as stock. And boy was it fast but still with loads of control. No wheelies either which i thought must be weird for a 12x3. But it accelerates amazingly and top-end is unreal so the gearings right.

What's going on? I was told it will be hard to keep the front wheels on the ground. And i have used it on Sand and Tarmac so plenty of grip :-

[MattW]

Don't know to be honest. I often struggle to keep the front end on the ground with a slipper, and loads of lead in the bulkhead. That said i am usually running something in the region of 10 turn.