TC3: Things to upgrade

[Andy M]

Hi,

I'm running a TC3 Team kit (some plastic, some blue parts but not as many as the factory team).

The kit I have is quite old so I don't know if there have been a few new things added to the new kits which I don't have.

What I wanted to know is what parts of the car are worth upgrading first to gain the largest improving effect? I'm planning a few upgrades such as a possible Rear Shock Tower on the front, Large Motor Heatsink, maybe a titanium screw set to stop the heads stripping.

What else would people recommend?

Thanks

Andy

[MattWinyard]

Buying a Titanium screw set will do sod all... well it will save a bit of weight... But you want an FT Ally one to get your weight down... Aluminum is lighter than Titanium...

You say your kit is "old" but how old? Look on the bottom of your chassis, does it have droop stop lugs? Also look on the wishbones, do they have the adjustments?

Does it have steel diffs? Most original team kits have these... If you want to save weight get plastic ones, but because of an error in the latest AE mould for them... (They got a new one)

So I advise IRS Aluminum ones. This assembly requires the B3 method of diff assembly...

You might also want to think about a graphite chassis to stiffen it up a bit, but this relies on driver preference and usually people like a bit of flex... I personally dont...

The rear shock tower on front is again, driver preference... I run it on few tracks...

If you are running on a grippy surface try harder srpings... A good start is to buy the TC3 Spring set, you get the lot and it works out cheaper... And has a nice box... and chart...

PM Me if you want any more advice... I will be glad to help...

[marcoski]

I have to disagree with you on the Ti screws. They are no THAT much heavier than the aluminium ones, but they are a million times tougher, the rounded off hex head syndrome will not happen to Ti screws.

[rc_jammer]

Personally I run steel screw underneath as the car is very light anyway and it helps get the weight as low as possible

[Andy M]

Cheers for the replies....

My TC3 is pretty old, it doesn't have any droop screws on it. Is it possible to add this easily?

What else will I be missing out on?

The Ti Screw set was planned for exactly the reason Marcus mentioned, I'm getting sick of the hex heads rounding. I realise the weight won't be really an improvment.

[MattWinyard]

1 Quantity new chassis.

4 Quantity wishbones (2 front, 2 rear)

Would be the simplest option, not saying only option though...

Suppose you could make a home improvement job, thinking of how it could be done ....

Also, Marcus, AE have made alterations to their blue screws. The hex is now deeper and I havent roudned one out since they have made this change...

[RcScrewzUK]

These do need to put ti in if the car have to be 1500g by the
BRCA so don't bother with the ti

save your money for some thing else

Lee

[Mike Haswell]

You will find that quite a few drivers use the IRS pin cushions on the driveshafts.
According to the Associated book, changing all the screws saves a whole 1g.
To use the droop screws you will need a chassis with the lugs on it for the screws to rest on.
Rear Shock Tower on the front is a good idea and inexpensive.

[gaz_d]

Have to agree with Mike there,
also Andy as you going to run on carpet front anti- roll bar is pretty much a necessity to get it through them corners nice and quick at Chippenham.

Unfortunately, I'm away for the first month we go indoors so can only offer opinion over this.
I will try and get someone to bring my IRS car along for you to have a look at too.

Oops rolled two threads into one.
The rest of the set up will pretty much depend on what tyres you are going to use. Foams are popular and seem to last well on our carpet but the car has to be set up different.

Just a few things for you to think about.

[3CT01CR]

you do not need the new chassis with the droop screw lugs on it to be able to use the new wishbones and the droop screws, they droop screws will just come down onto the edge of the original chassis, no problem.

[Andy Taylor]

You will find that quite a few drivers use the IRS pin cushions on the driveshafts.
According to the Associated book, changing all the screws saves a whole 1g.
To use the droop screws you will need a chassis with the lugs on it for the screws to rest on.
Rear Shock Tower on the front is a good idea and inexpensive.


what does the shock tower mod actually do??

[Andy M]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm going to possibly go for the IRS full kit once I have the money and then some Ti Screws. For now I may just replace my knackered screws with some standard steel ones.


Cheers

Andy

[ian plimmer]

man u must be really kranking on the screws if ur rounding them off,there arnt many screws on the car that have to be wound right up,especaily the bulkhead and gear box screws

[Andy M]

Unfortunately it was a secondhand car with already rounded hexes :( i'll be a lot more careful, don't worry :D