e94: The Buyers Guide Series: Panda Cyclone / Mugen Manx

[@etxkevin7452]

I had the Panda Stadium truck, my first hobby grade RC. I remember seeing this one in the magazines and pretty cool.

[@AMPROEngineering]

I think that is the same chassis? I loved seeing the old Panda adds!

[@etxkevin7452]

@@AMPROEngineering I think they all had the same plastic chassis pretty much.

[@roadwolf2268]

I have a Cyclone that I bought brand new years ago to try and rebuild a copy of my first Grasshopper, it's setting in a box right now. I'm getting back into rc, so I will be dragging out all my cars soon to take stock. I'll try to take some pictures you can share, if you want. The Grasshopper was an OG model that I modified to hold up to a Trinity 13 turn Monster Horsepower motor, I built it back in the early 90s. It would launch so hard it would squat the front to the ground, two ball point pen springs later it ran great, beefing up the gears, that took some trail and error and about 4 spur gears, shims are great helpers. I can confirm the rear axle is different, if you replace it with a Hornet or Grasshopper rear axle it fits like a glove.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yeah looks like the whole trans and gears are also different. Love hearing how fast some of us made the cars way back when!

[@Alma.tec21]

Thanks god to find your channel! I'm close to my home due to corona!! Your video are awesome and now I have plenty of time now;-) I'm also vintage RC car collector!!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yes I too am at home. We are under shelter in place so we cant really leave. Thankfully I can work from home and I am going to be making a lot of videos!

[@ShenRC]

Nice video,I remember those, I like the body looks like a grasshopper frog mix.

[@AMPROEngineering]

The body's are quite nice. I really like what they did.

[@twisteds2fast4u]

i love this car! as a kid i remember seeing "hornets" all set up for racing and i wanted one so bad. this car reminds me of the "race" tamiyas of the period. thats what ya should do,show some period tamiya race cars and there hop ups. i would enjoy that.

[@AMPROEngineering]

I know me too. I remember seeing vintage racing Hornets way back when...that was a sight. That is a good ideas, show vintage upgrades....ill see if I have enough on that.

[@monosurge]

I just received one of these complete with a manual and the panda pit bag. I remembered this video and decided to come back and answer some of your questions more definitively. They likely won't be in any order. First, the front bumper is correct. The MSC resistor cover is incorrect. My vehicle doesn't have it installed but the manual lists it as PN 454611. The resistor mount is PN 454393. Your MSC is also incorrect. The PN for that is PN 454657. Battery door is correct. Now here is where things get weird in regards to the wheels and a few other things you didn't mention. On the manual cover, it shows the grasshopper style wheels. However, throughout the assembly manual and in the parts tree list your vehicle is equipped with the correct wheels. The only thing you can deduce from this is that the model used for the assembled photos was early. Possibly prototype. Then printed on the manual and box covers. This was common. It's a safe bet that is what's happening here. More interesting is in the assembly steps none of the chrome parts are chrome and the nerf bars are! So yeah. Definitely some changes made while the manual was being produced. But the parts list doesn't lie. Hopefully this helps. If you have any more specific questions I can help with, ask.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thank you so much for the info. What I have learned about graupner (who had this car made), they used a lot of random stuff that they could quickly, easily and most importantly, CHEAPLY get. Since this was effectively a stolen design, it was a contract manufacturer that produced it for sale as a Panda Cyclone and Mugen Manx so they found what ever parts they could to complete the set as cheap as possible. I actually have a set of panda cyclone wheels, new in bag, plated gold. They have the Tamiya branding on them, hahah!

[@monosurge]

@@AMPROEngineering Man, that's wild! I managed to source a bunch of parts for mine and I emailed you a link for the correct resistor mount and shield. I also found the MSC. If you like, I can send that link as well.

[@boccacantiga5095]

just can't take my eyes off those rear tires! they look rad af!

[@AMPROEngineering]

They are super cool! You can find them from time to time on ebay NOS

[@boccacantiga5095]

@@AMPROEngineering thats great! Ill keep an eye out, thanks mate!👍🏼 BTW, just watched your Super Fly 11 series, that looks mad with the new parts! Id love to build one, do you have a listing for a kit with all the parts to make it in it? Are you able to put together a kit that includes electrics, hornet, Ampro parts and everything?

[@AMPROEngineering]

@@boccacantiga5095 Yeah its a great car. Sorry, i dont have the time to do that. I would go over the bill of materials in the video descriptions and you will see what is needed. Best thing to do get the list and head to a hobby shop. All the printed parts are also linked in the descriptions.

[@boccacantiga5095]

@@AMPROEngineering yeah, i getya. Im going to look into it this arvo, thanks bro👍🏼👍🏼

[@Myglowplug]

I do love that shell 👍 : Hirobo Alien Mid 4wd buggy was and still is my favorite vintage rc 👍

[@AMPROEngineering]

It is a good looking car. So is the Alien!

[@chevellecarcass]

I was wondering about the rear shock / body mounts on the cyclone are they the same as the grasshopper / hornet?

[@AMPROEngineering]

No, these were units made by You-G. While they were better than the stock ones, I would not say that they were much better. They were not rebuildable which is unfortunate. They are kinna hard to locate now.

[@oleblue73]

Love the channel. So glad I found it. Ever consider doing a Nikko Dictator or Traxxas Cat video?

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thank you! Actually I have looked at the Cat and love the Dictator but just don't have one to review sadly!

[@peterhenry65]

The wheels came with the Graupner version of the Cyclone, the panda version had the tamiya model wheels

[@AMPROEngineering]

Interesting that they were actually different.

[@PankoPengwingo]

What I find interesting about these is that they used brass bushings in the rear axle area, vs the plastic bushings that Tamiya still uses today.

[@AMPROEngineering]

This is true. It is also true that to this day, Tamiya thinks plastic bushings are ok.

[@PankoPengwingo]

"Tamiya! Your home for the best plastic bushings in RC since 1981!"@@AMPROEngineering

[@Rob_77]

Howdy, love the video's!. Quick question you may or may not know, but do the rear tyres fit the Tyco/Taiyo Jet Hopper cars that came with the lower profile rear tyres?.

[@AMPROEngineering]

No sadly, I don't think so. They are larger in almost every dimension. I have those tires designed and ready to 3d print when we get some material that is suitable!

[@mikes2876]

I had a clone of sorts with the gold wheels, but it was a corded vehicle. No separate radio. It was wired to the vehicle. Looked just like a grasshopper, but had a yellow hard body. I can't remember the name of the car. Shortly after I got an RC10 1st generation and started racing.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Was it called the Flashhopper? I cover one on my channel.

[@silviamills5218]

Plz do the Tamiya Frog and the associated RC10 (old 80s not the new one) and maybe a Traxxas Bullet or other old Traxxas buggy

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yes I agree. I will do the whole Frog family soon and I totally need to do my RC10! I dont really have any traxxas cars other than my TRX4

[@silviamills5218]

@@AMPROEngineering don't have many other Traxxas cars then the TRX4?!?! Well do you have a few hundred dollars laying around? Cause I have a few suggestions for you!

[@j0nnyism]

How easy would it be to replace chassis with a rere hornet one?.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Direct swap. they are identical.

[@viper-qi1po]

I found one of your older videos where you did a custom diaclone bluestreak. Just curious was it Tamiya paint from a spray can or airbrush, also did you strip the old paint first? Just curious as I am doing a diaclone bluestreak custom soon

[@AMPROEngineering]

Ah yes...That was Tamiya paint from the can and I did not strip the paint. The paint was the perfect silver and a better base than the metal. Hope that helps!

[@mattmclafferty6265]

just drive it inside? Gauranga. Thanks!

[@AMPROEngineering]

I am going to sell it actually. Its not a fun car to use.

[@muddfoot69]

I was racing a falcon at the time, but when I saw this car I wanted one...mostly because of the bling and what not

[@AMPROEngineering]

I cant blame you. I felt the same way when I saw it...man it was awesome looking. I still love it.

[@Andrew-bv6qc]

Finally the video on this car sorry I'm a week late been kinda busy

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yeah I was wondering where you were! Hope you liked it!

[@Andrew-bv6qc]

AMPRO Engineering loved it thanks

[@Andrew-bv6qc]

AMPRO Engineering how much would one of these cars go for in good condition

[@AMPROEngineering]

Lately, over $250. I have seen mint ones fetch $500 NIB and someone offered me $300 for mine but I have no intention to sell it. Took me a decade to get this one together, haha!

[@Andrew-bv6qc]

AMPRO Engineering wow that's a lot

[@masonrcw9034]

There is also a version by graupner in germany

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh cool, what is it called?

[@MrCaprinut]

Graupner Cyclone ;-)

[@AMPROEngineering]

OH.....

[@j0nnyism]

Great car well worth getting if u like grasshopper types. Its almost like a rc fans parts hopper. Nice choice of parts. The business was probably ran by a tamiya fan

[@AMPROEngineering]

I totally agree with that!

[@MrCaprinut]

Awesome as usual ;-) Looking forward to each of your videos, you can't post too many ;-) What was they thinking when they designed that bottom rear axle screw mount?? That's begs to be snapped off lol Any tips with a Hornet chassis that I have? Mine is broken about half way on the rear leg of the shock tower/wing mount at one side. Hack the legs clean of the back wall of the chassis and make a mount out a aluminium piece..?? Or do you have a other idea? The rest of the chassis is fine, so a downer to throw it in the bin, a solution I rather don't want to do... Have braced it for now but it is not solid enough to drive the car.. Keep up the good work sir :-) Oh, and how are the Lunchbox independent rear suspension going? Richard

[@AMPROEngineering]

I have no idea what they were thinking. It is very bad placement. Hmmm...as for the fix, it is hard for me to spend time on a Hornet chassis when they are $8 on ebay (says the man that designed a $50 Hornet cage) but I know how it is to keep these oldies going. I would brace it with some epoxy if you have the broken part. That is usually my fix. The LB rear end isnt touched yet. First ORV interior and Scorcher chassis! Work has been insane so I have not done much.

[@ss9c1]

I have an idea for the big 100. A custom AMPro Pajero build, starting with a CW-01 chassis! Kinda like I am doing...lol. Slight modifications to reverse Tamiya's Lunch Box changes [well, steering servo mounting], your IFS [i'm using trimmed Super Hornet arms & either Rising Fighter or Super Hornet axles], & some sort of battery relocation with modern [micro] electrics. lol

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh jeez, haha! I need another CW01 like I need a hole in my head. Haha! I do need to do a CW01 project that's for sure. Have you seen my 58044 Pajero?

[@ss9c1]

I believe I did, in an earlier episode. Honestly between tracking down, well I made it myself, a PDF of the 58044 manual, looking at a couple of builds, & your Pajero, I decided that may be an interesting build, especially since the chassis was permanently altered into the CW01. The biggest thing being changing back to the original steering servo mount, removing the 45 degree plate and adding the 2 holes, luckily you can see where the original holes were. And next, was to relocate battery. And then front suspension comes along..., yeah I can use stock Grasshopper, or Grasshopper 2 [with a slight trim] for extra width, but I really like your double wishbone (?) suspension arms..., and I may have come up with a solution for upper mount, not sure yet. I'll try to link some pix, even if I have to send ya back to Facebook, lol.

[@ss9c1]

facebook.com/NeoHavock/media_set?set=a.1669381713086203.1073741877.100000431719296&type=3

[@UlisesBatalla]

OK I wrote to you and told you about the suspension components that I was able to purchase, that have the brand name Paramount and the blister pack and look just like the front suspension components on this car except they’re not chrome they are black. I was going to attempt to put these arms including all the hardware into the grasshopper too but the shock absorbers I guess the only thing that I would be able to use are the stock pogo sticks. It looks as if I’m not going to be able to use the front shock absorbers friction dampers friction shocks from the grasshopper to I will only be able to use the friction debris from the original grasshopper I was wondering how these were fitted because I have wonderful shock absorbers and dampers from various different manufacturers and they’re even big bore and they seem to work great I wish there was some local arm similar to the ones you’ve manufactured for the Blackfoot the super beetle monster beetle and any of OVR chassis vehicles. I need to rewatch this video to see which shackles orders they use on the front and they don’t actually fit properly into the front of the grasshopper too they are very tight fit and as you actuate the suspension arm up and down the bend the chassis and cause it to flex I don’t know if these are worth the time I am going to have to save up my funds and purchase your elements.And now I’m starting even further behind the eight ball because I spent what could’ve been saved and thrown at your equipment on these suspension components which maybe will fit the pumpkin or the lunchbox of which I still have to build

[@AMPROEngineering]

Wow interesting. I did not know that. Yeah, all you can use are the stock shocks or the You-G units. The You-G ones are awful. The thing to note is that big bore shocks are usually way too stiff for this car. I would like to see what you end up with.

[@Andrew-bv6qc]

Can u do a video on your roadrunner

[@AMPROEngineering]

Haha! Yeah that one is almost done. I need to record it running. Trust me, that one is by far the worst of the clones.

[@Andrew-bv6qc]

AMPRO Engineering can't wait to see how bad it is the car of course not the videos the videos are amazing

[@AMPROEngineering]

Haha, thanks! It is just miserable build quality. I love the car and it does have its charm.

[@Andrew-bv6qc]

AMPRO Engineering yea can't wait to see it

[@AMPROEngineering]

Roadrunner video is up!

[@pixelpusher3589]

for the big 100.......it has to be hornet related, such an icon!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Haha! Really? You haven't seen enough? I mean I totally agree!

[@ohsweetnothing]

100th video. The superflys go head to head for best lap times. Jumps. Endurance. Like top gear use to do

[@AMPROEngineering]

Hmmmm.....I like it....wait...How about....stock hornet VS lightly upgraded hornet VS Superfly 1 vs superfly 2!!!

[@ohsweetnothing]

AMPRO Engineering this would also let viewers know the effects of your upgrades and their value

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yeah I think you are right. I have been planning on such a video but completely forgot about it.

[@garyworthington1347]

Hello I have a pretty much mint condition cyclone probably only used once over here in GB. .. I have tried to sell it a few times on ebay with no interest would you happen to know of anyone in the US who wants one great information video

[@AMPROEngineering]

The problem with this car is that it is rare but no one knows what it is. I would post it on a Facebook forum to sell it. Ebay is not a good place for these cars. You will also need to be open to global shipping unfortunately. Wish I could help more!

[@desmonmargan7499]

Ill buy it...please call me 562.271.8841

[@nearbyninja8786]

I’d buy it

[@hueylong8046]

Makes me think of an AMC, could have a ford engine one year and a chrysler the next!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Very good point!

[@jackbower8671]

Just snagged up a Mugen Manx and trying to find out more. Honestly thought it was a hornet

[@AMPROEngineering]

Its a cool car. Super fragile though and with some of those parts....rare as hens teeth.

[@modelnutty6503]

great video REALLY. Panda really did try with the improvements on a Hornet but OH THAT OH SO BRITTLE PLASTIC!! shameless self promoting plug? NOPE!! fully agree, do a Hornet with your heavier duty upper linked front suspension (minor body trimming required oh well). go a half step better and do it to a Rising Fighter? SURE!! very similar, but has a few geometry and clearance improvements over the classic old Hornets, get AMPRO's front end AND his rear shock mount both (maybe use slightly softer springs back there for the new longer lever point!). go to his main video page and search "rising fighter" to see for yourself why I'm saying so, or just take my word for it that it'll make a hornet style car a whole lot more stable and predictable handling driver.... (you didn't shamelessly plug near hard enough lmao!) Hornets were very fun little entry level bashers that about had their own dirt racing class, just to keep everything equal. at higher speeds, LOOK OUT, they'd be all over the place loose with just a stock can motor powering them, it was part of the fun trying to get them around a small track quickly, you needed good tires, and some skills too. what would be awesome? a video to compare stock hornet stock motor, stock hornet with mod stock motor (big jump from 18-20 degree advanced to 30-34 degree brush timing) then stock rising fighter same, then rising fighter with suspension add on's and same... (oh hell what a LOT of work to make a darn video right?) and yeah, a stopwatch for averaging the lap times too because it'll really show off what your add on improvements will DO for these old school (but fun) "dino-racers". challenge? oh I double dawg dare ya! I triple dawg dare ya! and yeah, I'm serious, do eeet! what can I say, I can see it, your products for these things DO rock, so show them off for what they're REALLY all about, and why it's really worth it to drop the extra 45-55 bucks for the VERY NICE performance upgrades. I'd mentioned before about the old school simple Hornet mods, on road springs atop front "shock" towers to flatten out those stock A-arms, butchering the rear of the battery tray to take a 2x3 saddle pack vertical to put weight more rearward for traction and balance jumping (not launching and nosing down), THICK grease (vaseline!) in the diff gears/pins, Traxxas 4 speed MSC, then an associated sweep resistor type was "fun" mounting THAT in there (but worth it!). then came the Fox, then the RC10.... lotta love for the 2WD buggy racing.

[@AMPROEngineering]

The Rising fighter is an improvement I agree but sadly, the car lacks the charm that the significantly worse Hornet has. I think you have a good idea for a 100th. It is something I have been thinking about for a long time now. I need to give that some serious thought.

[@verdman54]

Please don't abuse it like that again haha. Are you a fan of any kyosho models?

[@AMPROEngineering]

I felt the same way jumping this. It was killing me to do that to this car! I do like Kyosho cars but I just don't have any for some reason. I guess the shop I went to as a kid had none.