E1: AMPRO Tamiya Hornet Battery & Trans Retainer

[@evankalameja9266]

Found my 1985 Hornet when moving and have decided to get her going again for my nephew. I just ordered your ingenious battery holder fix. Great idea! I've always hated when the battery would just drop out.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Tell me about it. I used to tape the door it. So annoying!

[@Paul__FC]

Oldie but a goodie. I ran project ,"Grasshopper 2" last night and other than the new jump I added it ran amazing. As far as a grasshopper could. Tha axle brace is a must have.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yeah it is weird when I hear one in stock form now! That constant slapping...

[@jamurphy8386]

I've decided to dig through your older videos. This is a must have! I'm so sick of having to tape up my battery box lid! Me nor my buddy, have NO problem drilling holes or notching bodies. I see a lot of parts coming from your way! Murph

[@AMPROEngineering]

I had a roll of blue painters tape in my pit box to hold on the door. Man I hated that so much!

[@NordicRC]

Just rewatched this again. Very useful information about the Grasshopper/Hornet transmission versus the Midnight Pumpkin/Hornet transmission.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Ah yes, I forgot I talked about that here!

[@andrewholroyd8626]

Thanks for the up-rated parts. I installed both parts after a year of abuse and car self disassembly. I followed you along step by step and they work a treat. I am now considering which other of your parts to order and upgrade.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh im glad!

[@timcampbell1830]

Just received the battery door and retainer clip (for a Grasshopper with the tab-less axle). Excellent design - I have it fitted and look forward to trying it out once I’ve completed the FX-10 front suspension mod also.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Awesome Tim!

[@eaglepointtactical8532]

you do some seriously awsome work

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thank man. It's all good fun for me.

[@NordicRC]

Genious. Have a Hornet rere build coming up. I, as I mentioned in another comment, have the same crash bang problem with the Rising Fighter

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thanks! It was an accidental discovery on how I made the center pivot. I think I have a solution for the RF and GH2 but I think the Super Hornet is out of luck.

[@NordicRC]

AMPRO Engineering Would be cool with a full solution-option for the RF. That way we all would be able to build a Super Super Hornet III :-)

[@AMPROEngineering]

That's the plan! Have you ever wondered why Tamiya called it the Rising Fighter and not the Hornet 3? You would think that Tamiya would want to play up the vintage models as much as possible.

[@NordicRC]

Yeah. I've wondered a bit about that. With another body they could also have named/designed it as The Grasshopper III. Both could have worked. I have a Black Foot 3 from 2012 so why not a Hornet 3 from 2008? That way this model could have gotten the attention it deserves. Go figure :-) Tamiya workes in mysterious ways. As soon as I get the slamming rear fixed I will built a Hornet III out of my RF and start running it :-)

[@AMPROEngineering]

Like you say, they work in mysterious ways. I only bought the RF after I realized it was basically a SH. Before that I never looked at it. Had it been called the Hornet 3, I would have bought it in a heart beat. Yes, we also need a GH3

[@silviamills5218]

So does the transmission retainer actually help with performance/improve lap times or does it just stop that annoying sound?

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yes, it helps the rear springs to fully compress instead of getting locked due to the canted trans angle

[@silviamills5218]

So what's different about the original vs the re release body?

[@AMPROEngineering]

The lexan? I dont think anything.

[@rworden96]

My brace cracked over time 🥲 wish there was a way to get this in a sturdier material.

[@AMPROEngineering]

The nylon broke? I'm surprised to hear that as it is really strong.

[@rworden96]

Yes it did. The hornet flipped over while I was driving on street and I turned it over and noticed the brace was snapped in 2. It’s still bolted on because I used 2 nuts to fasten it down but I need new one lol.

[@superjoint57]

Where do I find the retainer style part at 9:37 on your website? Thank you!!!! 🤘🏻

[@AMPROEngineering]

Great question! Links are in the description but this is the part number you need :045005-03

[@superjoint57]

AMPRO Engineering Thank you! 🤘🏻 Hmmm, did you just add the links in the description or did I go brain dead looking at it earlier?? LOL! 🤪

[@superjoint57]

AMPRO Engineering Thank you! 🤘🏻 Hmmm, did you just add the links in the description or did I go brain dead looking at it earlier?? LOL! 🤪

[@AMPROEngineering]

Haha! They were there but it wasn't organized well. The newer videos have everything clear so it was not your fault.

[@superjoint57]

AMPRO Engineering Thank you! 🤘🏻 I appreciate your time.

[@aidanlegg2863]

Is the battery door with the grasshopper on it compatible?

[@AMPROEngineering]

That hopper door will work on any Hornet/Hopper assuming 1. The Hopper has the hornet Sliders with the tab vs no tab trans brace 2. You get the Grasshopper battery door retainer designed only for the Grasshopper. That is video 70

[@janner78]

Any plans to make one if these for the standard grasshopper rear end? I would buy one. Just got my 6 year old his first RC car and the battery falls out a lot! Cheers

[@AMPROEngineering]

Hello Janner, that is a tough one. Due to space limitations, it is hard to fit in there. A better thing to do is upgrade the rear end to Hornet spec and then get this kit. The hornet spec rear mod is cheap and really good in comparison to the GH. I may look into a GH version in the future but as of now I am a bit backed up! Hope this helps!

[@janner78]

Thats cool, thank you. I've just ordered a Hornet so I can RC with my son. I'm going to buy your Hornet mods soon :)

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh wonderful. They are great cars to run, my favorites.

[@janner78]

I've ordered 2 the batter cover and pin for my hornet in purple! I'm just waiting for my sports tuned motor and paint and then I'll get building :)

[@kreyz1]

I have 2 hornets without the tab.... What part do I need to stop the slap?

[@AMPROEngineering]

You will need the P/N: 045005-03 Part. Links are in the description to shapeways. This brace requires the Ampro Battery door

[@kreyz1]

Thanks. Got any promo codes?

[@carbonitegamorrean8368]

QUESTION!; I have 3 or 4 Grasshoppers, What is the difference in them to a Hornet??? I can only see the 2 upper shock mounts and 2 lower trans privets....

[@AMPROEngineering]

Hey man, good question. Those are different as well as the mounting points for the bottom of the rear shocks. They are a little ball joint. Also, all this makes the trans sit farther back than on the Hopper. The Hornet comes with oil filled shocks too, on top of different rear tires and most obviously the lexan shell. I hoped this helped!

[@evankalameja9266]

What modification would you recommend for suspension on the Hornet?

[@AMPROEngineering]

Well the simplest one is the zero offset version I make. That one needs very little to install. The 20mm offset is better but you will need to source shocks. Both are good for a light runner with a stock motor though, I do not recommend any of these suspension bits for a basher.

[@timbaker5353]

Hi, Does it make any difference if you leave the two little springs on that look more like paper clips?

[@AMPROEngineering]

Hi Tim. Nope, they do nothing at this point, or at any other time in the past, haha. I took them out but I can't imagine it makes a difference.

[@unmoderatedahole]

Yeah I don't think those really work.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yeah I think Tamiya was being optimistic but no, they do next to nothing.

[@NordicRC]

When putting my RF together I really thought I had done something wrong with those springs as they didn't work at all. After realizing they where supposed to do nothing at all and the loud crashes where a part of the construction I put it away and assembled my Grasshopper and had a blast running it ;-)

[@rworden96]

Is the hornet rere tab or no tab?

[@AMPROEngineering]

That is a No-Tab car.

[@rworden96]

@@AMPROEngineering Thanks! I've just ordered the trans/batt retainer and the door.

[@rworden96]

I’m gonna be getting a Super a Storm Dragon too when it’s released. Since it’s on the hornet chassis, that should be no tab as well right ?

[@rworden96]

Check shapeways messages please, Need help. Sent you pics

[@DaveyGa]

Google search for "TamiyaClub Hornet rear suspension mod - no 3rd shock needed" It's a quicker and easier fix.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yup, very familiar with that mod. That is why I made this one.