Tamiya Top Force Evo - First Run, is it competitive?

[@Aro800]

I've run a 10.5 with high speed gear set and it's plenty fast. Mine is fully moded with gear diffs. There is a guy at my club that races the vintage Evolution in open 4wd and makes it in A mains. Great to watch such cool looking buggy go round against modern buggies. Thanks for the video.

[@chrisgraf1304]

You gotta give this buggy a little more credit mate. I quite enjoyed watching it run laps. It looks like heaps of fun. Tamiya never disappoint, cheers!

[@AndyfromSurrey]

We have several DT02 & DT03s running brushless 17.5 motors at my off road buggy club without any diff or gear box issues with. Another chap is running a re-release Manta Ray with 10.5 t motor. I’ve just bought & rebuilt an original Manta Ray to race next season. Running brushless 17.5t motor on 2s lipo. All standard except I will be fitting alloy front shock mount & uprated centre drive shafts when they arrive from Hong Kong. Only must do upgrade seems to be rebuilding with 3m machine screws instead of the supplied Tamiya items.

[@maninshed5485]

Loving the Top Force love. Might not be the most competitive buggy nowdays, but it's amazing for an outdoor offroad sesh with mates, and is still unbeaten on sheer awesomeness!

[@RazorRC]

It definite is the best buggy in terms of awesomeness, no doubt!

[@kspectre21]

Such a good looking buggy irrespective of its performance. I'm planning on getting a TT02B at some point and putting in the Brushed BZ Motor along with a Hobbywing ESC for some more punch. This could handle some nice Brushless power or you could stick something like a Tamiya RZ Brushed Motor in for the Red, Black and Silver aesthetic and some more oomph.

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

Razor there are a lot of rc enthusiasts who love vintage cars like this. In fact it would be great if you could review some of the Kyosho re-releases like the Optima and Javelin. They are really popular they seem to sell out right away.

[@RazorRC]

I like the Kyosho re-res because they modernize them just a little bit to handle modern electronics, wheels, etc. maybe an optima mid!?!

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

@@RazorRC Yesss!!

[@kspectre21]

The Kyosho ReRe's are gorgeous, I'd love to get my hands on a Javeline but they're damn pricey. I'd love to see some on the channel especially if they're rocking the chain drive instead of shaft. I've always thought it's a much cooler mechanism despite being worse in terms of performance to a shaft :)

[@traxxasslash95]

The only problem with these re-releases, at least with Tamiya in my experience, is parts availability. It seems they re-re the kits but then replacement parts are nowhere to be found.

[@RazorRC]

@@traxxasslash95 I agree, seems like the best way to get replacement parts is to buy a whole parts bag from eBay

[@CharlesGarnierRC]

It's a matter of gearing. Original is 7T spur with a max ratio on 28T pinion of 8.6. Just change to the 66T spur that will be rere next month and pair it with a 28T Pinion and you'll end up with a ratio of 6.44. Please just change that with the same motor and you will see a massive difference. Looking forward to watch the updated video with the new gearing !!!

[@RazorRC]

gearing it up would definitely get more top speed, but lose a bit of low end grunt. got a new motor on the way (and might gear it up as well depending on how it performs)

[@trebor1841978]

Original spur is 74t with 21t pinion. With a 66t spur, which hole on the motor mount would you place a 28t pinion? I thought 66t spur would only allow a 24t and 25t pinionaccording to the manual.

[@CharlesGarnierRC]

Sorry guys I made a typo. 25T max, not 28T!

[@chowettgoes]

Perfect review, thanks for doing for us all.

[@alangt4769]

Back in the day these and the manta ray based cars were a good club level cars… they had great handling on smoother tracks. With a few mods they are tougher than you think and handle decent power. They have a good following because of this as well as the cool look.

[@RazorRC]

Right on

[@hondofourfivetwo9347]

This would probably be good in a vintage class if you get rid of that 2 piece spur gear and swap it with the touring car version (or use the speed tuned gear set) it’ll handle a mild brushless setup just have to be careful with applying power after landing a jump with no slipper clutch. I know from when I raced a TA02/FF01 in mod touring car the diff outdrives can strip too and the better upgrade parts are no longer made but even those eventually did the same thing. This and the Kyosho Optima Mid are on my want list 🤙

[@paulang1054]

Nice landing on every bump 🎉

[@islandrc-duke1972]

Cool RC and great run, awesome review

[@RCACTIONAUSTRALIA]

Nice 😊 It actually performs ok on that track. A tiny bit more power and it would of been nice 😊

[@RazorRC]

Definitely needs a bit more than I think it would be pretty fun! Has the handling, just needs the power.

[@jasonkohlmeier6707]

I run this at our indoor carpet in expert and I’m always in the top five. I changed the motor to brushless and lipo. It is fantastic. It depends on how well your drive. Sounds like you just wanted to put it down, oh well it’s more fun when some who knows this car well beats you in the intermediate and expert class. Mine handles my 13.5 just fine and is stupid with my 10.5 for speed and acceleration.

[@RazorRC]

Ok cool, I'm only commenting on the car and not the driver obviously, because this is not a driver review. Would you be any faster with a modern 4wd buggy after putting in the same effort preparing it for racing that you did with the evo? If not, then I would be shocked, but...???

[@philthyco1]

@@RazorRC Why do you insist on comparing this 30 plus year old buggy to the newest 2022 racing buggy and then down talk this one??..And when people tell you their experience with the Top Force you seem to get a bit upset..Stop having low expectations

[@RazorRC]

@@philthyco1 Honestly, your profile pic is a Top Force, so I think the bias is on your side? I honestly don't care if the buggy is good or bad, it is what it is, and I'm going to give an objective review that I think 95% of people who have experience with all kinds of 4wd buggies would agree with.

[@philthyco1]

@@RazorRC Hardly anyone agrees with you on this one..Just read the comments lol..If you don't care then why are you doing a review? Really all you have done is hate because it's not as good as a 2022 race kit..Hello? We all know that already..But you give it zero credit for what it is..A special vintage race kit..Yes my profile is a Top Force because it's badass and mine does 60 plus brushless 3s..While you sit here and tell people it won't handle brushless with zero proof lol

[@adamhenderson3095]

You should put in a old mod brushed motor or a very mild brushless set up and try to keep it as light as possible because weight is what breaks parts. momentum . Obviously plays a big factor but momentum without weight I think you see where I'm going and show us something different on the track you sound very confident in yourself let's see what you got and not just driveability but RC intelligence and survivability LOL just my two cents I do enjoy your content be easy bro

[@philthyco1]

Mild? Why?I run 4300kv on 3s with my stock Top Force not even an Evo

[@soma_rc]

@@philthyco1 I guess you are not running the stock butter alu pinion with that setup? 😄

[@TheUsmc0802]

Nice job, I just finished mine. Going to run Tamiyas 10.5 brushless, not cutting edge these days but still good. Tuning top. These hicaps use Tamiyas big bore springs. Buy the spring kit to add tune.

[@philthyco1]

@@soma_rc I am..It's still holding up but I have a steel one if need be lol

[@soma_rc]

@@philthyco1 when I opened up my gearbox is was full of aluminium dust mixed with the grease

[@NikkiNexo777]

I wonder how a mild 21.5 brushless motor would do in this thing?

[@eltomasoable]

Just fine, I run a 13,5t hobbywing stock setup on 2s and no problems so far, except I crashed yesterday, easier to crash with the added speed=) You just need a bigger pinion if possible.

[@moejr1974]

A Tamiya 15.5t or 17.5t brushless motor would run nice. I would bet in the tamiya parts bin is a gear diff that fits

[@eltomasoable]

I just bought a lazer zx5 sp, every time I go out I break something, just bumping my foot. The 35 year old top force tolerates much worse crashes and tumbles. I barely ever break it. I prefer flexible tamiya plastics to kyosho's hard britttle carbon reinforced plastics. The lazer was bought used, since they are hard to find now. But I got tons of spares, and some durango shocks Im making to fit on there. I'll have to use internal spacers, but no problem...

[@edgarpoe517]

Hey is this NorCal Hobbies in San Jose?

[@eltomasoable]

What I would give for a track like that near me. And an 1/8th scale dirt track indoors. I just ordered the top force evo, my childhood dream, and a stock 13,5t motor combo from hobbywing. Will be running on 2s(of course with a stock setup.) I have the same motor combo in my old original top force and it works just great. Just the right amount of power IMO. Just not gun it, then brake hard ,and repeat again and again. Temps are all under 100c after speeding up and down the street and bashing in the gravel road. I crashed yesterday and broke the front gear box cover that hold the front king pin. Clearly a weak point. So I ordered two aluminium covers in black, so it does not stand out. One for the old tf, one for the new evo. And bought alu motormount, and high speed gearing to get rid of that one soft metal gear in the tranny. Any other cheap upgrades that are good enough to bother getting? =)

[@philthyco1]

Why are you not running or even showing everyone the bottom tray/protector?

[@RazorRC]

'cause it's hella ugly! I don't need to protect the chassis on carpet.

[@philthyco1]

@@RazorRC It's not ugly ..It's vintage and it keeps all the carpet fibers out of the electronics ..The body shell Velcros to the lower tray you should know this..Oh and you should also know if you run carpet then switch to gear diffs..Hater lol..You have done the worst review on this rig..You are like the lil kid that gets inside a corba or vintage corvette and says it sucks because there is no traction control or touchscreen lol

[@philthyco1]

@@RazorRC Don't get me wrong..You run a great channel..I just don't agree with your view on this one though..I just think you are looking at it in the wrong light..Cheers bro

[@RazorRC]

@@philthyco1 no worries, I actually just made a Community post talking about how YTers really don't know what they're talking about, including me. It wasn't in reference to this video, but it does include my channel too, so I think it's appropriate. 🤣

[@philthyco1]

@@RazorRC Hey man..We can't all agree ..And we all have our own preferences ..I just hope you set up this buggy properly and get the full experience out of it..Smiles for miles!

[@blankes-entsetzen]

Hi, do you have foam inlays in your tires. Would you recommend them?

[@bradkalman2353]

Oh are you could probably fit with one of those special 4000 milliamp packs in there. Their same diameter and width as a nickel metal hydride like 3600.

[@ceff01]

This is how I want to use rc buggy. On an empty track just chilling practising. But my mate said you can't and have to race is that right or can you rent tracks. Thanks

[@RazorRC]

depends on the track, but even on race days you should be able to get in some track time without racing.

[@ceff01]

@@RazorRC thanks yea I will ask them also I'm in UK so not too many tracks

[@rcdreamers119]

Looks very slow like a snail lol, I have a cheap 4370kv brushless motor in mine and run it on a 3s lipo, it goes like a missile and pops wheelies lol, also have fitted the high speed gear 66T and 25T pinion. I have seen another Top Force EVO go round a track at a very fast pace.

[@benspeeding4766]

Run speed gear set and install the gear diffs from a mantaray, works really well on carpet but sadly plastics just don't hold up with the 13.5 motor on a race day.

[@georgetsoumelekas111]

Are you using foam inserts in the tires? If so, 2.2? Thanks

[@RazorRC]

no foams

[@TheRacingNoob2025]

I run mine with a 10.5t brushless setup at my local track it goes well. The modern cars eat it up on high grip corners though

[@RazorRC]

The lack of a center diff or slipper is what concerns me about running a lot of power through this. The locked center driveline is really rough on the drivetrain.

[@TheRacingNoob2025]

@@RazorRC true - I have installed the high speed gear set which is a one piece spur and upgraded the idler gear to delrin also. I’ve also switched out the rear ball diff for a geared one. It holds it own on the straights etc but can’t corner as quick as the modern cars grip roll is it’s enemy. Overall it’s good fun and something different from the norm. I would upgrade the bottom gearbox cover to alloy and the front knuckles along with the steering bell cranks these mods have let me push it really hard and survive so far - love your work 👍

[@TheRacingNoob2025]

@ButcherCreekRC Thanks - I haven't tried to make a roll bar in the end I bought myself a B6.3 and race with that at my club, leaving the evo for runs at the park with my kids.

[@robbryan3044]

I stand by all I said in the "build" video comments - this is not (truly) a 'competitive' buggy (compared to other currently-available options...it's more of a "competitive-looking basher". The shock towers & chassis (as I previously pointed out...and, as 'confirmed' in this video) are way to thin. Plus, work no sway bar option, it's no wonder it traction rolls so easily. Not saying the buggy is "bad", as I DO like Tamiya vehicles...and, I *might* still bit this kit...but, it's definitely NOT a (modern) competitive buggy. For that, I'll stick with my 22 5.0 & XB2C.

[@kspectre21]

If you want a Competitive Tamiya Buggy then you buy a Grasshopper instead :P Honestly I'd only run a non-TRF buggy at a race day just for fun and for something different, even the TRF buggies though are subpar but atleast they're more competitive focused.

[@robbryan3044]

@@kspectre21 Don't need a "competitive" Tamiya buggy, as I also have TLR & XRAY. My point had nothing to do with wanting/needing, to not with Tamiya still calling this a "competitive" vehicle...nothing more, nothing less. No worries, though, as I was never 'putting down' Tamiya - I DO like Tamiya, and will continue to (occasionally) but their kits. One of these days, to I'm hoping to be able to afford one of their "full option" tank kits.

[@kspectre21]

@@robbryan3044 Yea I know. No reason for you to buy a Tamiya if you run XRays and the like. I was just making a joke because the Grasshopper is the furtherest from a race buggy as you can get (it has friction shocks lol). I didn't say you were putting them down, I was just commenting on Tamiya not being competitive anymore as you had said. Tbh they haven't been competitive for like a decade or two and they're mainly just relying on nostalgia and novelty to sell kits. I'd also love a tank but they're super expensive unfortunately. The Tamiya trucks are also quite nice but apparently the wiring on them can be a pain in the ass if you have all the sound and moving parts. Sorry for any confusion in my original comment

[@gowerski]

still looks like fun

[@lorenzkockaerts]

very nice gonne buy one now :D

[@bradkalman2353]

I would think this thing could handle a pretty stout brushless motor.

[@ShenRC]

It's nice! stick a tamiya GT tuned motor in it it should get some more pep. You can go 3000KV system in it I bet it would reel nice I have some 3000KV and 3300KV systems in some of my tamiyas. want to try a cheap motor for some extra speed try sticking a cheap $11 RC4WD 20T crawler motor in it..... Take out in the dirt!

[@RazorRC]

Yeah, a better Tamiya brushed motor is what I’m thinking. What’s the highest spec’d motor they make, the GT tuned?

[@ShenRC]

@@RazorRC they make faster ones but they say no lower than 25 turn for the esc but I run 20T ones in a lot of mine... the GT tuned will make it go better than the stock motor.

[@trebor1841978]

I run a Yokomo Pro Stock II 19T motor in mine with touring gear set 74t spur and a 19t steel pinion and get 46km (28mph), on a 21t pinion I got 52km (32mph). A super stock RZ on 19t pinion, 42km (26mph)

[@bradkalman2353]

Well I have a super hot shot and I'm going to put a 4600 in it or it has a 4600 in it and I'm hoping it handles it just fine and then there's the tear scorcher that I have it has a 4,000 and I've seen those run with 4,000 and they take the 4,000.

[@BMfins]

Throw a 13.5 brushless and 😁 I wonder if tamiya ever thinks about building something competitive again

[@maninshed5485]

Maybe one day, but right now I am happy to see Tamiya releasing innovative chassis designs, like the XV-01, TC-01, and TD4.

[@nickvledder]

@@daves301 Absolutely on point about that. Love the look & feel of Tamiya, but for competition… no, just for fun.

[@TheUsmc0802]

Oh yeah and get a TA02 speed gear set.

[@redblue40rc33]

My 1989 Schumacher cat for would run laps around that car

[@homeworkpictureshq]

Awesome....

[@Blakktastikvision]

Just Modify it as much u feel u need to and I bet you change your train 🚆 of thought 😉

[@RazorRC]

Ha, if you watch any of my other car videos... I'm not that guy! 😀

[@Blakktastikvision]

@@RazorRC Yes I'm aware.....but I actually am working on a Heavily Modded Top Force (when I have time) so I'll keep you tuned in.....

[@jeffbryner5355]

It has to be. If people can race Traxxas crap then this has to be worthy. I'm sure this has more technology then the bandit lol

[@VestedUTuber]

When it comes to classic Tamiya buggies it's really not a matter of handling. This will eat a Bandit for breakfast around a track simply because the Bandit wouldn't be able to stay on its wheels. The problem is the plastics. Tamiya uses ABS, which is fine for light driving or low-power vintage-class racing but it breaks a lot easier than modern composite materials, and that's the one advantage something like a Traxxas Bandit would have over this - and it's a HUGE advantage at the speeds modern RC cars reach. That being said, if you replaced all the ABS plastic bits with 3D printed carbon fiber nylon composite replacements it probably would be competitive, it's just a lot of work to do that.

[@philthyco1]

@@VestedUTuber This is not old school ABS plastic my friend..It's fiber reinforced plastic on a carbon fiber chassis

[@VestedUTuber]

@@philthyco1 It's not the chassis that's the problem, it's the suspension arms. Don't patronize me.

[@philthyco1]

@@VestedUTuber The arms have never broke on me..WTF is your problem? You made a bland statement that was false..Tamiya uses many resin blends..This is not the same ABS used in the 80's..Fact

[@VestedUTuber]

@@philthyco1 I'll take the correction on the material but even modern Tamiya resins aren't comparable to the fiber-reinforced plastics used on other modern cars. They're fine if you're running stock power or are a careful driver, but in a racing environment using the 13.5T motors used in both modern stock 4WD and vintage 4WD classes you can't guarantee you won't hit something hard. Especially on modern indoor carpet tracks with hard-edged jumps. Seriously, who's idea was it to require a 13.5T motor in vintage 4WD? That's too much power for most vintage platforms.

[@akent46]

Love Tamiya yet if you break an arm or other part you have to buy a whole molded parts tree of parts you don't need.

[@stevewest7260]

Another car running into you would break a wheel off. There cool nostalgia though.

[@philthyco1]

No it won't..The regular top force real axels could stand a decent of crashes but the Evo has better ones..I run gpm universal shafts in my regular top force in real they are beef..I'm still running stock universal shafts up front ..3 years now on 3s brushless bit I didn't run it much last year because I moved away from track and up in mountains

[@stevewest7260]

@@philthyco1 yes it will

[@EduSanjuan777]

Car is cool, with the carbon chassis and all.Suspension is ok for carpet not so good for off road or big jumps. But like always with Tamiya cheap electronics and shit engine. You can buy a Typhon 3s for example with the money this car costs. Or a Radix 4. Any of those two would make this Top Force look like a cheaply made snail which is what it is. Really cool looking and funky name, like always with Tamiya. They are not hobby grade they are just overpriced toys.

[@michaelinzitari]

TA01 chassis sucks badly. Worst abs plastic. King pins forever falling out of the weak knuckles. Just leave it on the shelf and save the headache. WLTOYS quarter of the price for similar junk

[@philthyco1]

#idiot