Tamiya Mini 4WD - Let's Make Tarantula Faster

Watch as I describe my thought process for making my MA open class car faster! Also includes upgrades to my VS and VZ open class cars and video of Tarantula in action!

[@charlieringor4187]

This what I have learned so far about roller locations and where they are mounted. The closer the front rollers are to the center of the front wheels the faster the car will be on the corners. I expected Tarantula to be a bit slower because the front rollers are way ahead of the front tires outside the standard roller specs. I also had my design and called it X-wing hahaha but I digress. A rigid (non-sliding) front bumper is faster on the corners because it immediately turns the car due to its rigid features but it is not effective entering a 'digicurve' , a type of corner with an angled kerb, or a 'rocking straight', a straight section with speed humps attached on its the walls. The reason is because these section dribbles the car on the track wall slowing it down significantly and if your car entered them carrying a lot of speed then it could potentially break a rigid part of the car or the chassis, even bend roller screws. However, it is nothing a simple sliding front and rear couldn't fix. But then sliding roller mounts are a bit slow in making corners so they came up with front bumpers and rear dampers that would bend or fold only when hit at the front section of the rollers unlike the sliding parts where it slides on almost every time the roller makes contact. That new front bumper design uses o-rings as tension holders , just like in the photo you showed and absorbs the impact of a digicurve making the car turn smoother on that type of corner and the impact of the rocking straight making it pass through those wall bumps with ease. Love seeing people get into this hobby, share their ideas and thought process. Have a great week ahead!

[@claredin]

Thank you Charlie! Yours is the best explanation of all of this yet. I think my version of the X wing surprised a lot of people because of its speed, but it's just the "rocket behind a sailboat" theory. :) My critics basically said, "Of course it's fast. You're using Mach Dash"! This second version does have its rollers real close to the front wheels making it difficult for me to adjust the wheels without removing the front plate :) The price to pay for speed :)

[@phongpit]

Awesome! . . . yet, diabolical! (with a smile)🙂🙃

[@tamiyasubic2257]

What batteries are use i want to try it also thank you very much 😁

[@claredin]

I use anything from NiMH (Neo Champ, pink Fuji) to alkalines (Rayovac). It all depends on the car and the track.