The Tamiya DT02 (Super Fighter and Sand Viper) are good cars out of the box but this video shows how to get the best out of them by using simple hop-ups and modifications that you can do yourself. Parts 2 and 3 show further upgrades.
Wonderful video with all the essential upgrades! Hopefully that metal brace on the front towers is explained in the next video. Looks very interesting! Yeah, you are definitely right about that 10.5T TBLM. Got one in mine and it’s really too much even with the 17T pinion. Think the best set-up is like the two of yours. A 23-20T brushed or that 15T (both with a 19T pinion). Brilliant DT-02 video, Mark! Thumbs up! Beautiful DTs you have. Those Super Fighters makes me want a Super Fighter :-)
I'm so glad you liked my video - I hope you can tell that we really love these cars - lots of care taken over them, great fun to race with your friends and pretty cheap too. Just a little time and effort and they really perform well - you need one!
Thank you very much! The Super Fighter has a great body shell, such a good looking buggy! And the body is hard plastic, I find it much easier to do a different paint job when applying the paint to the outside of the body. Thanks for the great comment! :-)
Hi Peter, must say I have not heard of a DT02 Aero - but anyway, hope the mods work as well for you as they have for my son and I. All the best, mate! :-)
Ah, why had I not watched this before, Mark? 😁 Well, I had watched parts 2 and 3 but I guess I didn't have the wits to find part 1, ha ha... Good knowledge to be had here, I just started building my DT-03 based DT-02 yesterday, won't be very upgraded, basically just the things to prevent wear or breakage, so that's steel pinion, bearings and then that brace for the front. Then I can always build a fancy one later on... Have a great rest of the weekend there!
Hi 👋 Mads! Haha I don't know why you haven't watched it before but I'm glad you found it now! That project you have going sounds interesting and I think that you have all of of the main areas covered. That brace for the front shock Tower is a must as I have broken about 4 of those brittle Towers already but none since making that bracket! Hope your weekend was a good one my friend, cheers!
I finally managed to fit that brace. It took lots of filing to make it, I was stupid enough to choose to tuck it under the chassis brace. Finally it fit, it's painted black and it seems alright. The car is amazing, I just had it out in the garden without body for a quick test. It's lovely fast, even just on Torque Tuned.
Well that was fun!! 😉 While I'm plotting to do the second set of improvements for the 'Oliday Buggy... I was researching DT-02. Of COURSE your Videos came up!! 😎👍👍
Cheers, me Mukka! Gotta get some inspiration for the improvements - I reckon your buggy will be awesome! you are a clever guy, my friend, keep it real and enjoy the process, it's what RC is all about! :O)
Have I mentioned that you're AWESOME!!? Very kind to say, Cheers!! I'm still in the Game.... The one I was holding sold out (!!!!!😭) but ONE more Store in the U.S. has 5 in stock. Fingers crossed. The one that sold out, had 5 in stock just 10 days ago. 😲😳 Hopefully the cheque will arrive by Monday......... 😧 Thanks for reminding me - I need 3mm Rod Ends too. Unless 4mm Upper Arms wouldn't be too outrageous. 😉
A very informative video Mark. I guess these upgrades could be applied to the Holiday Buggy too ? I've also used 4wheelcircuit. I got all my XV-01 replacement parts from them. Great service, Cheapest prices and free delivery. Can't get better than that : )
Thank you very much Holly Hill RC - Yeah, all the mods I've done will work on the Holiday Buggy too - the front tower brace would probably be even easier and stronger as you wouldn't need to cut out the middle (so much) 'cos the body doesn't need to fit through the gap. Also recommend 4wheelcircuit like you - can't fault them!
Forgot you had a Sand Viper somehow, Mark. How cool is that. Remember the Super Fighters though. Building my first from-scratch-Sand-Viper now. Just the gear box finished. I’m still so impressed with the Sand Viper and Desert Gator and what you get. Nearly DT-02 MS standards (well, nearly).
Cheers Mikael. Yeah, I do have a very well-used Sand Viper, still love it today and it gets run pretty often. I saw from your last video the new-in-box Viper. Yes, the kit is very well specified, and great value for money. For me, it only lacked a little speed (but then I am running NiMh!). The TBLM 15.5 is a perfect match, in my opinion, just a little expensive. Thanks for watching my older videos from when I was just starting on RU-vid, not perfect, but we all gotta start somewhere. :-)
Mark Bryan RC Yeah, got a 10.5T in my MS. Not gonna use the stock motor in the new Sand Viper too. But gonna re- build my Desert Gator to pretty much stock DT-03 stock standards.
Yeah, I saw how fast your MS was with that 10.5T - crazy fast! What motor are you gonna fit, I am guessing it will be a brushless setup? The Desert Gator project sounds interesting, too. I was interested in one of those kits, but could not find one for sale in the UK :-/ I for one am going to enjoy your new DT series :)
Mark Bryan RC An 8T now. Silly me. Well, just for the fun of it. The 10.5T is really already too much for it. I can always remove it again (out of the ruin after the first run). But will switch the 10.5T for something more runable, so I am allowed one silly Viper and then the more sensible MS and a stock Gator.
Is there a video on how to swapping to brushless system and how to remove and replace motors? Plus I wanted to know what would happen of I used a lipo battery in the stock electronics
Hi - I haven't done a video about fitting a brushless motor, sorry! I may do that in the future. As for a Lipo, it's fine to use a 2S with the stock electronics, but you will need to use a LiPo alarm as the ESC doesn't have a LiPo cutoff.
Hi David - we have run many different 21T motors on the TBLE over the years and never had a problem. I even ran a 15T for a while with no issues. The only reasons I can think of are if you are running really tall gearing or on mud or long grass. Or the ESC is dodgy!?!?!? All the best from Mark. :)
Hey mate i have a desert gator and was wondering where i could buy a kit so i am able to change the camber its just got solid arms terrible control thanka
Hi Paul Chant - you need the "Tamiya 53828 DT-02 Turnbuckle Suspension Arm & Tie-Rod Set". I found a listing on ebay.co.uk from 4wheelcircuit for £18 - I have used this seller many times and they are very reliable. Other than that, most RC retailers can get you the set if you ask them to order the 53828 part number. Hope this helps.
Cheers krs 7 - I really appreciate you taking the time to comment! It means a lot that you enjoyed the video - there would be no point in making the videos without comments like yours! Have a great day bro! :-)
Hi Adam! The other ESC is an Mtroniks Sport Tune 20 Turn Waterproof. Basically, it's a brushed plug-and-play unit, no setting up, just turn on and go - it automatically sets the forward and reverse, full speed and neutral throttle positions when you start to drive. It's pretty good, and about £15 from Time Tunnel Models. Hope this helps! :-)
Evening Mark, yes the holiday buggy body will fit but you'll need the holiday buggy rear body mount as the sand viper body mount is only for the Lexan body 😉
Thanks, Nicholas! No problem - I get at least 30 minutes, sometimes 45 minutes on smoother ground - depends how rough the going is! All the best - cheers! :-)
@@MarkBryanRC hi I finally put one of those turnegy 13.5 in my sand viper 19t pinion , I notice you have it fully advanced , do you get any heat problem ? what is the performance difference from neutral timing please? Only had chance for a quick run due to the weather. cheers
@@nicksinclair7838 Hi Nick - I get a little speed boost at the top-end with the motor advanced, maybe a couple of mph - and no, I have never had any overheating when running this motor, even in long grass that puts some strain on the engine! All the best, my friend, and Seasons Greetings to you! :O)
Just checked my messages - thanks for the sub mate - much appreciated! I took a look at your website - very nice! Some good prices - will be sure to check you out next time I need a spare part - or even a car :-)
Mark Bryan RC thought so 😁 I'm originally from near Cannock. Now over near Coventry. This channel is fairly new but will be doing some running vids of my Tamiya (and other makes) collection soon. 👍🚗🚛
If you happen to be on facebook buddy feel free to join the groups and like my page :-) facebook.com/groups/TamiyaRCOwnersClub/ facebook.com/groups/radiocontrolledfreaks/ facebook.com/RadioControlledFreaks/
Are you running the 21 trn brushed motor with the standard tamiya tble o2? Ive got that on my gh2 but thought sport tuned was the most it could handle?
Hi krs 7 - Don't believe what Tamiya says! The TBLE-02s will run a 21 turn brushed motor all day long! I have even run a 15 turn with no problems - the ESC is rated at 60 amps - plenty enough for most 21 turn motors. I also run the TBLE with 13.5 turn brushless - works fantastic, and I have never had one overheat or shut-down! :))
@@MarkBryanRC got two of them just to put in my vintage wild willy and super champ, good know for future,was thinking of putting the msonic 4 tourer back in the champ though as its waterproof, cant get any info on that at all , ive even contacted msonic
@@namAlexander Cheers, nam Alexander. Yeah, the only drawback with the TBLE is that it's not waterproof. Sorry but I don't know any specs for the msonic either - hope you can find some info somewhere - have you tried asking on any of the RC forums such as the Tamiya forum? Good luck! :)
Mark Bryan RC not yet , only info I got it’s 9.4 kHz esc and input volts and tourer motor , any other Msonik it tells you the turns , I can’t see it just being 27 turn, might just leave it in the champ as it’s enough in there, also there’s no power switch
Hi ale rossi - you are correct - the shocks are Hobbyking Trackstar 68mm front and 100mm rear. I think they are excellent and are very cheap - about $10 a pair - but they do not come with oil included or the 5.8mm ball joints - you have to order them separately. The Trackstar 900 weight oil works well and you can get the ball joints cheaply on eBay - I hope this helps :-)
Hi ale rossi - yes you can use the Tamiya shock oil, but I found it to be very thin, not giving much damping in the Trackstar shocks, I used it at first but changed it for the thicker 900 weight oil for much more damping. The Trackstar oil comes in many different weights and a bottle is about $3 and will fill over 30 shocks! But try the Tamiya oil first if you want - you might find it OK for your car!
ale rossi - you are very welcome my friend - any time! I'm glad you are making good comments and asking good questions - it may help other RC fans too!
Hi Fizzoid! Yes, this is probably the best hop-up you can make if you have the friction dampers! The shocks are very good quality, and are much better than some more expensive alloy shocks that I have seen! There is a fair amount of tuning possible, too, with the different piston options, preload spacers and different oil options. I would recommend using the original kit springs on the front though, as the softer kit spring is perfect for the RWD buggies. Modelsport is a good dealer, and that is an excellent price! Have fun mate :-)
Thanks Mark! I'll get them ordered. Then on to do something about those front strut towers. Already had to replace the part once, it really is a weak point
Nice one, Fizzoid - you won't regret it - the handling and grip will be transformed!!! And, yes, those shock towers! We got fed up of replacing them, that's when I had the idea for the alloy brace - works a treat mate, but it is a bit fiddly to make - maybe you can come up with an easier solution - a simple straight brace between the two top shock mounts might make a difference! :-)
ale rossi - thanks for dropping by! The Sand Viper is the DT-02 to go for because it comes with oil-filled shocks, steel drive shafts, full metal ball bearings and adjustable suspension tie rods - none of these come with the Super Fighter, and the Sand Viper costs only a little more - a real bargain! Thanks for watching :-)
The motor is Absima Thrust Eco21 : It spins at 25000rpm and works well in the DT-02 with the standard 17T pinion gear with the MTronics ESC or the Tamiya TBLE-02s - a good upgrade in top speed!!!
Good morning Mark . Yesterday morning the Sand Viper I have ordered arrived at my house from Timetunnelmodel . I joined your channel and I saw you have a lot of Tamiya rc cars, also you have the Wild one?
Good morning to you Ale! Congratulations on the new Sand Viper (I got mine from Timetunnelmodels too!). Have fun building it my friend. What motor / ESC will you be fitting? Yes, I have quite a few Tamiyas, but not a Wild One! It's funny you asked though, as that is the next Tamiya I was thinking of buying! Hopefully I will get one in the summer, when I do I will be posting unboxing, build and run videos! Thanks for the comment Ale :-)
