Tamiya Konghead Top Speed Run - Stock Vs Brushless 

Morning Derek! How ya doing matey? Hehe - your comments made me laugh - thanks for that! Yeah, luckily for me, Rob has been picking me up and ferrying me about - no way out of RC, even with a busted ankle! Just been to the docs - signed me off for a month, so that's me with no work until school starts again in September - better get busy in the shed, or I'm gonna get really bored, at least I can still tinker with my rigs with one foot in the air! To be honest mate, I mainly fitted the brushless in my other cars after I first tried a 15.5 in my DT, it wasn't THAT much quicker, but was more controllable, ran really smoothly and the batteries lasted about 3x longer! It's the efficiency that I like, and they are much better engineered than most brushed motors. No maintenance either. Thanks for sharing your experiences with Lipos, Derek. I am sure I will get a couple soon (it seems inevitable!) so the tips you gave will be invaluable - and that link and advice is there for other viewers to see, so it's all good - spreading the safety message. I hope you are enjoying this Monday, counting down till the match on Wednesday! Best wishes mate, read you soon :-)

I didn't realise that brushless was more battery efficient. In fact I assumed the opposite. I may have to rethink when one of my brushed needs replacing. Thanks for that info. I am having a great Monday mate. Angie has gone away for four days with Helen (stepdaughter) and the boys and I've just come back from a two hour filming session in Holly Hill with the FTX V2 Ranger. I'm going through a crawling/trailing phase at the moment. I used my S6 and Canon, and after I've walked the dogs and watered the garden I am going to start editing. I don't know if I would've started using lipos so soon if I hadn't got some with the RC's I bought, but lots of people said give them a try as you already have some. The Bat-Safe was the clincher really. I even charge my Nimh's in it now. A month off is a long time to be signed off. But don't over do things mate : )

ps Very nervous about the match : )

It's gonna be painful to watch (because we so do not want to loose) - but fun at the same time :D

Glad you had a good day mate! Keep on crawling! You are probably in the middle of an edit right now... As for the brushless motors, if I remember correctly, I think a brushed motor is at best 50% efficient (that's 50% energy lost through the brushes and commutator) and the brushless motors can be as good as 85% efficient, maybe 90%, so more of your current is being converted to power = more speed and longer battery life! I used to be an electronics engineer back in the day, so I learned all this stuff at college! Anyway, have overdone the ankle a little today (Rob made me go to the park and speed test some more RCS!!!) so gonna put my foot up for a while, should have listened to your advice mate :-)

And thank you very much for watching! They are great offroad, tons of fun! 😎👌👍

Thanks Del - yes, +3 mph doesn't sound a lot, but it is noticeable when you drive it, especially the acceleration, proving it can pull a higher gear (plus it doesn't slow down at all in long grass like it used to with the stock can). Hehe - yes it is reminiscent of our conversation about tuning, small changes become bigger when combined correctly. The bigger pinion is definitely the way to get the best out of the new motor, and 16mph up from 11mph is a significant gain - you can REALLY tell the difference when driving! As ever, your comment is really appreciated, I hope your weekend is going well! All the best :-)

Thank you so much, Mikael! I'm not too sure about my friendly face (Alf said "you can't upload that, people can see you!") Hehe - I'm too old and ugly to worry about that now, but to be honest, it is quite a big thing when you have stayed out of the camera for so long! Anyway, it is done now - maybe I will be brave and do it again... maybe with a little more confidence? Yeah, the Konghead sure is low geared, but I think it needs to be, it was never meant to be a speed demon! And it is very capable of taking on steep climbs, adding to its all-round ability. But you are right, the brushless can cope with higher gearing easily, so 20t pinion ordered! Thanks again my good friend, I hope you are enjoying a peaceful weekend :-)

I translated your message "Great! I'm glad that Japanese radio control is enjoyed in the world!" Thanks for your comment, yes, I think that the Japanese Tamiya Radio Controlled cars are the best in the world! Have a great day! :)

Many thanks my friend! :O)

Cheers! And many thanks to you for watching and leaving a kind comment! 😎👌👍

Hi Mads! Wow, cool you watched a few times now! Thanks for leaving a comment this time, always appreciated. It's a great chassis, whatever the body on it. Pity about the rain - typical when you got time off work! Definitely under-powered with the stock motor, that's a lot of gears and wheels to turn with a silver can. Glad the video is still useful after 3 years! Cheers! :O)

Thanks, Steve, great to see your comment first!!! You are spot-on about the low gearing mate - and I will definitely be ordering a 20 tooth steel pinion gear now :D

Lucky you! What a coincidence - I was lucky too - my lovely wife bought mine for my Birthday too!!! Thanks for the nice comments, Honey Lou Lou, I'm sure you will enjoy your Konghead! :-)

Mark Bryan RC Great Wife😊That’s Awesome and I hope I do😊My husband is going help me too😊😁

Thanks so much for the comment, Charlie! Doh! I was looking forward to those temps - maybe next time :-) And Wow! 30mph on a silver can? That is seriously impressive my friend - I want to see that video ;D

Thanks! It's a great truck! Cheers!👍

Thank you very much, Harry! Yeah, they do sound good whizzing by the camera - I think it must be all those gears! Appreciate the thumbs up mate, have a great weekend :-)

Hello Gerardo, glad you enjoyed the Konghead video! You should try to pilot one of these 6x6 trucks, especially on rough terrain, they are so much fun and much easier to drive than you might imagine - very responsive! I hope you are enjoying your weekend. :-)

Hiya Pete! Glad you watched it again mate - at least it came in handy! Yeah, pretty slow with the stock setup, but then it has got all those gears and big wheels to turn with the stock motor! This is one Tamiya that definitely needs a motor hop-up, it's OK at first but soon becomes tedious until you give it a little speed boost! 21 is a good speed for this truck, should be able to actually get some air-time now! Yeah, just another training day tomorrow - early finish for me and then BEER!! Cheers my friend :))

@@MarkBryanRC Yeah I'm planning to do a review of it and I'll give you a mention for testing the speed with the stock setup as I never have. The previous one I had did 20mph with a 3500kv set. Amazing that the same set made my Aqroshot go 39mph. Like you say a lot of gears and wheels. Yes I can definitely get air with this one and the previous one. Anyway roll on Friday beers 😁🍺🍺🍺

Cheers mate, that's really nice of you. Can't say I blame you for not bothering with the stock test! Yeah, 2WD cars are always faster in my experience too. Looking forward to that video, the beers will soon be flowing my friend! :))

Hi Carmine - you are correct AGAIN!!! Yes, the 13.5 turn brushless is still way under-geared, even with the 20t pinion fitted, and the motor is running nice and under-stressed! The sensored motors spin far more slowly than their sensorless counterparts! Unfortunately, the G6-01 chassis only comes with the 2 pinion options. It would be extremely difficult to fabricate the gearbox casing to accept a bigger pinion, as the pinion meshes with 2 gears simultaneously, one for the rear diff and another gear for the front 2 diffs. But hey when running off-road as intended, climbing 50% slopes, this gearing is a perfect compromise!!! Thanks as always for the excellent and intelligent comments mate - I always look forward to reading them :-) Best regards, Mark...

Yes Mark.... I'm only starting to sort all the skewed methods that Brushless Motors are set up and Spec'ed as!! 😵😵😱🍺🍺🍺 In the Air Force, I was a Jet Engine Maintenance Tech and Avionics Tech.... As a civilian, was an Auto Mechanic and Fuel Injection Specialist and Driveability Tech. I was a Carburetor Master Tech.... Earned that right about the time when Carburetors STOPPED being fitted in Cars!!!! 😣😫😭😬 Not bragging, really! I've just always been someone who had to keep learning things. Especially if I had a keen interest in it. As soon as I became COMPLETELY confused about Brushless Systems, I KNEW it was time to start soaking up knowledge. Frankly Mate..... I've STILL got a LOT to learn!!! It keeps my old Brain from rotting, anyway! 😉 Pity that Tamiya has always seemed to almost want to restrict gearing choice... Although for what the average person would want a G6-01 FOR, a 13.5t seems to be about right. If you have Endbell adjustable Timing... I've heard from a few good sources that you can safely bump up the Timing Advance to about 45-50 degrees, for maximum RPM. .... Of course I have no idea what the TBLE-01 ESC can take. There's a perfect test for a 13.5t in a Konghead... How much of an incline can she do? Seriously, I cannot WAIT till I can get one of those! They look like so much fun - and seem shockingly stable! I haven't often heard of any tendencies to roll over. If you're willing to do some sacrifice for the insane enjoyment of the RC community..... Get some cheap Chinese Sensorless ESC and a 5500-6500kv Motor. Run it on 3S Power - or 2 NiMH Batteries wired in Series... Film CAREFULLY, and try to have at least 3 Cameras aimed at it. You'll likely only get ONE chance!! See if you can't get a Konghead to hit at LEAST fast enough to cruise comfortably *on the M1 !!!!!!* 😵👊💥💥🔥🔥🔥 Should at least make for some great Video!

Wow, Carmine - you have some serious experience under your belt! I have no specific mechanical engineering training (my background is in telecommunications and electronics) but I learned a lot from my dad (who was trained as a motor mechanic) and from hands - on experience - In the 80s and 90s I was heavily into motorcycle racing, and built and tuned my own 250cc twin cylinder Suzuki 2-stroke! It was a 750 4-stroke beater! Give me a 2-stroke barrel and some files and I'm in my element! Yeah, the Konghead incline test is a very interesting idea - I may take you up on that one! As for the sacrifice of my Konghead - I love it too much to blow it up! Yes it would be visually amazing - maybe if I win the jackpot one day I'll just do it! Cheers for another interesting and enjoyable addition to our many conversations! All the best, Mark...

Yes Mark.... I worked hard in my life. As soon as a Doctor declares you Disabled, you can't even get a job scooping Ice Cream. You can't buy anything on credit, and the Government gives you roughly 10% of your past income and basically tells you... "Right then.... Here's your pittance, enjoy life. You can't earn anything else, or we will pull your medical benefits." Trying not to sound whiney... Some have it much worse. I miss going shopping in a Hobby Shop. You're very kind! I'll tell you a secret.... Jet Engines are easier to work on, than a Toaster!!! 😱😜 They literally have ONE moving part!! It's the bits attached to it that's the real headache. To some, when I mention that I was a Jet Technician, they confuse that with *Rocket Scientist!!* 😱 Then they proceed to ask me questions about their Computer. I'm actually Impressed with the fact that you know 2-Strokes! I've been threatening to get into 1/5 Scale Gas Buggies... To me, gas goes into the CRANKCASE, and by some feat of magic, it gets above the Piston, makes power, and goes out of the Exhaust Pipe - without a SINGLE VALVE!!! 😵😵💥💥 I have produced a couple of Videos on my Channel about the 2-Stroke Engine. Mostly to help ME understand how they work!! It still seems like Magic!! Like you, I've got several "interesting" projects lined up, should I ever win the Lottery!! 😉😀 I wasn't really suggesting that you destroy your Konghead.... Just thinking outside of the box, as I too often do. It does sound like good fun though, doesn't it? You've really got my gears grinding, on the subject of Brushless... Now I want to get another Clodbuster (SAD I sold it in the first place), and giving it a go with two 17.5 Brushless Motors!! None of that existed when I had my last one. I used to compete in Truck Pulling with mine. There was all sorts of Crazy things available for Clods used for Pulling back then. We usually ran them with *5 or 6 - 7.2 volt Batries!!* 😵😵😱😱 My personal best pull was 313.7lbs. !!!! Of course, with 34-40 volts going through them, the Motors were Lucky to make it through a single day!! It was a very Expensive Sport. But fun! I would like to see an incline test with the Konghead. I'd bet others would too. As far as an insane Speed Test.... I'm sure SOMEONE will get around to it! 😉 ..... It's also a pleasure chatting with you. Too many people these days have such horrible communication skills. It's refreshing to see someone else who understands the English Language!! Cheers!

Micron RC - I'm up for the challenge! Bring it on!!!

Hehe - I always wear a cap, that old Musto is a favourite of mine - wore the first one out! And you can't beat high revs in terms of getting top speed! That Absima set sounds great, similar to my Leopard 3300vk that got to 25mph in my Blitzer! I think the LiPo definitely makes a difference too. I will sure try the Turbo ESC when I have recovered from the outlay on the XV-01 !!! Agree about the sensorless sets as well, and I has a break in a tiny wire on the sensor cable, rendering it useless (even I couldn't solder it back on). The only advantage (really) of sensored is that you can still crawl with them (useful on my Konghead now and then). Leg is properly on the mend now, at least I can get about without that clunky big boot some of the time! Hope your weekend is a good one - all the best, Pete! :-)

Cheers for the comment, John - glad you liked it mate :-)

Certainly was! These trucks are so much better with a brushless setup fitted! :)

Thanks for the nice comments Rc Fun - glad you enjoyed this one! :-)

Thank you very much for the info (and the part numbers) - very useful! Sorry you didn't like the music, it's very difficult to get the right choice. :)

Cheers Cosmo, thanks for the lovely comment! I'm running the TBLE-02s, so it should be able to take a 2S with the brushless motor - still considering the lipo route though mate - I have about 15 NiMh 7.2v batteries that it's hard to make the change - but maybe soon :-)

Hehe - I am not brave enough to get a tattoo! But if I was, it would be the Foo Fighters "ff"!!! Thanks for the cool words my friend! :))

Hehe - thanks dude - Do you remember the old Beatties model shops? Back in the day it was the only place you could get Tamiya kits from - the bag came free if you bought a "bundle" kit deal! Thanks for the comment Matthew :-)

Thank you, kkkyouwa san! Yes, I also thought that this video would be good as a reference to anyone thinking of buying or upgrading a Tamiya Konghead, because you get a real idea of what to expect in terms of performance. So your comment is exactly correct - well said my friend! kkkyouwa san, do you have a first name that I can refer to you as? It is also OK if you prefer kkkyouwa !!! Best Regards, Mark :-)

Thank you my friend,My nickname is kkkyouwa.

Cool Nickname! Does that translate into English or is it just pronounced K-You-Wa ?

Kyowa is in Japanese,In Roman letters kkkyouwa.

Thanks for explaining, kkkyouwa san :-)

Welcome! Robinson Racing Products (RRP) make excellent steel pinions.

Yeah, it's a great 6x6, that's for sure, and heaps of fun on the rough stuff - but yeah that motor just hangs out the side! :)

Cheers Stevo! Gonna make sure I watch that one broski!!! : )

@@MarkBryanRC LOL Ya broski I cant wait, love building these tamiya kits

Agreed - you are really gonna love building the gearbox on this one Bro! : ) You're gonna need a lot of bearings!

It's a great kit, Mike! Sport Tuned is a good choice, or one of the Absima Eco Thrust motors, 21, 18 or 15T would run nicely and cost less! 😎👍

Thanks a lot, JD, always a pleasure to see your comments! The Konghead doesn't seem that fast on the tarmac (asphalt!!!) but it is a different beast when off-road :-)

Thanks for the smashing comment, Tony! Yes, I agree that 16mph is perfect for the Konghead, especially when it's running in it's natural, off-road habitat, so I'm gonna fit the 20T pinion and leave it at that, as you rightly say, less chance of breakages :-) I really hope you hit 60+ mph with that FTX - I DEFFO wanna see that! I hope it doesn't blow up, and be careful not to turn the steering too sharply when running at over 50mph - it could end up very expensive! ;D

Mark Bryan RC , cheers brother hope I do to my mate, I've gone to the point of know return with that Ftx, if it dies it dies 💣💥💣💥😄 ive spent to much time with him on speed runs so am going to try a couple more if I don't do it am going to leave it at that and just bash the living daylights out it lol 😂 watch this space _________ 😄😆

No worries, Tony - that space is being watched very carefully!!!

Mark Bryan RC, thanks brother 😁😀😁

Hello! Well, my friend and I both have a 13.5 sensored brushless motor in our G6-01 trucks and both have been running fine over the last few years. From the specifications, it seems the TBLE-04s should also be OK with these motors. Have fun!

Cool - yellow looks so good on the Konghead!

One day, Brad, one day! :-)

Wow Chris! Your Konghead must really fly - I'm guessing at least 30mph! Have you tried measuring the speed? Thanks for the comment bro! :-)

@@MarkBryanRC lol I was just joking buddy! Although that gives me a idea.......Lol great video! Such a cool truck.

Haha! Cheers Chris - you had me there pal!!! Although I'm sure somebody out there has done it! I've seen one with a 4000kv motor on 3s and that was bloody quick! Yeah, it's a brilliant truck, on of my favourite bashers! Thanks for the smiles!! :))

No worries Tony - all put right now! Keep the vids coming my friend - and keep the fun in them too - it's what RC is all about ;D

Mark Bryan RC , will do my good freind 👍😊👍

Thanks, Frank! The Konghead is a lovely machine indeed, and it is fun to race another Konghead - however it is too slow to keep up with a proper RC buggy! Thanks for the support my friend :-)

Love to see that thumbs up Chris - thank you so much!!! :-)

That is correct! The limiting factors are the TBLE02s ESC and the NiMh batteries - expect much more with a 120A ESC and 2S LiPo. But they are fast enough for me on rough ground just as they are! :-)

Cool mate - I hope it works - I've had a lot of issues with notifications too lately, must be something freaky with RU-vid at the minute - thanks for trying though mate =D

BTW - hope the notification works now - I have a new Tamiya coming that I am very excited about - BOOM!!!

Its working now Mark ,look forward to seeing that video my friend 😊😁😊

Great stuff Tony - yeah, hope to start filming tonight! Very excited! ;D

Look forward to it Mark 👊😁👊

Hehe - no worries - I have an angle grinder!!!