'How To' Make a Cheap RC Car AWESOME!

[@richiebricker]

I dont know how many of your viewers appreciate all that extra film work and editing you do cause it feels so natural cutting from one cam to the next. Im sure they notice those cool camera angles you get on the cars. Yeah your racing footage is so far above everyone else. Most just use a Go Pro strapped to their head. Its nice to see somebody putting in the work to give us all a quality video. And thanks for the inspiration

[@TomleyRC]

Thanks Richie. It's nice to know it's appreciated and noticed. I often struggle for time on videos due to work and other 'adult' responsibilities. I used 4 different cameras for this one. I've also used my drone before in the workshop.... now that takes some work lol

[@shaunescarlett.1]

Another great video Phil, i have to say that you have come such a long way since you started in your garage. Your videos have always been great but are even greater now 👌🏼 The time you put in to the hobby & your results are 💯 Always looking forward to your next video release, You are right up there with the best of the best Phil.

[@TomleyRC]

Really appreciate the kind words Shaun. Doing this full time from September. Hoping to turn it up a notch 👌

[@ZozzlightsRC]

My favourite small cheap RC! I have the first gen mini infraction version. It is about a year old. And nothing went wrong or broken on it except for power switch but it was an easy replace. A week ago it got oil filled aluminum shocks. Much better handling :D

[@TomleyRC]

Yes, the oil shocks make a difference for sure

[@rob86trott]

I love the small scale stuff. I used to race gt12 cars and I would spend a fortune only to run the car for around 45 Sundays a year and only 4 x min heats. Small stuff you can have loads of fun in your kitchen or living room and not spend a fortune

[@shawnington]

Toe in only adds stability in the rear, front toe out adds stability. It works the same in real and rc cars. It's pretty easy to conceptualize, if there is front toe in, as the car starts to roll, it has the effect of increasing the steering angle and making it more twitchy. If there is front toe out, it has the effect of decreasing the steering angle, and making it more stable. As with 4 wheel steering, everything needs to turn the opposite way in rear, so it is toe in for stability, and toe out for twitchy. Its pretty impressive, how big of a difference such a small change makes

[@Mark-ro5zg]

I just received a brushless MINI a few days ago from banggood. It took over 2 weeks for delivery, but worth the wait. So far so good. Thanks for the tips Phil.

[@DustyFingersRC]

That red mini is my fave. Great video, loads of fun and good tips 👍🏼

[@TomleyRC]

Cheers dude

[@mikehansen9898]

I've been watching Top Gear since they starting airing here in America. I love how you show those guys love. Awesome video as always sir.

[@TomleyRC]

Yes. Love a bit of Top Gear

[@rippinrclife1219]

Thanks for diff info about loosing the screws. Helped me out with DBX 10 I just got.

[@WaRn00b85]

The Mini looks super cool. Definitely my favourite!

[@thunderstormrc]

That Beetle looks so nice. The onboard footage is amazing

[@TomleyRC]

Cheers mate. Little Insta360 camera

[@MarkBryanRC]

Great info, your videos just get better, mate! But, oh, the Tomley Indoor Test Track!!!! T!TT!!!! Nearly spat my tea out! Cheers, Phil, made my day!

[@TomleyRC]

Thanks Mark. Yes, the indoor test track… how could I not call it that haha

[@MarkBryanRC]

@@TomleyRC Hehe, you have a way with words and especially acronyms, this was almost as good as "This Week At Tomley"!!! 😅

[@TomleyRC]

@@MarkBryanRC 24yrs in the RAF… we pretty much talk in Algorithms haha. My work colleague sends me a meeting request most mornings, it always spells out COSTA haha. So you can guess where our meeting ends up 😅

[@MarkBryanRC]

@@TomleyRC 😅👌👍👍

[@Storyracing387]

The Top Gear outro at the end was great! Miss that show!

[@robhotson1882]

Real original Mini my thumbs up

[@jameswisecarver]

Morning Tomley! Nice little cars quick enough! I need about 5 of those servos lol

[@TomleyRC]

Good morning, I have a box of about 30 😅

[@davidroberts6085]

The beetle looks ace but i like the pick up and i bet it looks ace with the lights in the red setting

[@TomleyRC]

Yes, suits it 👌

[@djmandrick]

Saw your video oin the Mini truck when you released it and immediately bought one. I noted the "spare ones" were shorter and swapped them too. Not taken it outside and yet but the brushless is a little too fast for my kitchen. But it's a great addition to aesthetics whilst parked on the bread bin! Great videos, really informative , always like some ome budget friendly action. Its fine getting 65mph on a speed run but you need hte space. Since getting back into RC i have a special liking for the smaller scale. and a track record can't be sniffed at!

[@TomleyRC]

Thanks mate. Yeah, honestly there is more satisfaction in the cheaper stuff 👌

[@wattsm2]

Some really useful tips especially the one about running straight! 👍

[@413RC]

Great tips!!! My Porsche is super twitchy! I’ll have to try these tricks!

[@TomleyRC]

Yeah, throw the spare links on, free up the diffs and it’s way better

[@Del350K4]

What a cool pair of cars - and what excellent advice you give on how to set them up - many people would hesitate to go against the received wisdom which states that toe-in promotes high-speed stability. I was also grateful for the detail in your explanation of how to extract the diff assembly and slacken it off. I admire your drifting greatly.

[@TomleyRC]

Thanks Del. It’s easy to dismiss these cheap cars, but as you can see, with a little work, you can make a big difference 👍

[@Del350K4]

@@TomleyRC...and that dismissive attitude causes people to miss out.

[@BrendonakaShanks]

I purchased cheap rc. I usually do. Indeed. I've got mostly 5 wire. But I upgraded to 3 wires. I can't wait. I'm excited. I have a couple of spots to run.

[@maxdudley684]

love this video and love the udi! i've got the focus but the mini body is on its way in the mail :) thank u phil for the tutorial on the diffs helped a ton

[@StarsAtNight1]

The sg1604 and the UD1607 are the best looking shells.

[@viniciusbrito7512]

Awesome! I have 2 of those and will get the beetle and porsche soon... cool review and hints! Cheers mate!

[@goreyboggs]

I have the 1608, I did a few videos on it. It’s pretty cool!

[@acche-rc]

Thanks for the tips! I love my Herbie

[@TomleyRC]

No probs mate

[@MCsCreations]

Pretty amazing little cars, Phil! 😃 The mod makes a lot of sense! And it's definitely worth it! Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@TomleyRC]

Thanks mate. Having a little break at the mo.. back to work in a couple of weeks

[@radunit4805]

Toe out really helps stability. Had my custom 2wd WPL Prerunner on gyro and at toe in it wiggles at higher speeds (gyro fighting the uncontrolled steering) 😅

[@TomleyRC]

Yes, I always find a little toe out helps

[@clintkent9860]

Love your indoor circuit.great run video

[@TomleyRC]

Thanks Clint

[@Jaysqualityparts]

Your videos are coming along nicely.

[@rcplaytime]

Favouritetist 😄 awesome little cars,same with the scx24's probably need them all😄😄👍👍👍

[@TomleyRC]

Haha.. Bestest favouritest

[@Ro99]

Hey Phil really love your channel. Hope it’s not a big ask but could you do a similar ish upgrade video for the FTX Ravine if possible and maybe splitting the ESC/receiver block idk. I really like ur channel :)

[@cannibal666]

I like all the models but the beetle looks awesome.👍

[@danielemulazzi1615]

FANTASTICO...gran bel video... ciao dall'Italia

[@druscanam]

With toe, it depends if it's on the front or rear. On the rear a small amount of to-in will make the rear more stable and prevent snap out oversteer On the front a little toe-out with make the front more stable and prevent it from darting around randomly tracking left or right. So yes what you've done makes sense on making it more stable and easier to control 👍 I actually once on a 1/18 rc made my own toe out mod by drilling a hole in one of my steering hub arms next to the other one where you connect the steering arm in order to give it some toe out and yes, it worked 🤣

[@BrendonakaShanks]

The red mini is the way I'd go. But they all look good. I also just got a new 1/14 in. I'm about to take it out again. My dog chases them, lol.

[@MidlifeVices77]

Love these things.

[@NBC_NCO]

Perhaps the problem is the nut behind the wheel. Toe in makes for more aggressive turn in. Helps to bring the rear-end out. In theory. You want just enough toe in, that when under acceleration the front wheels become parallel to the chassis.

[@Bogues_88]

yea instead of replacing both which gives too much toe out i just replaced one and trim it straight,

[@BreatheRC]

your gonna have to race Kev on your track with your choice of car just to make it even 😃😃 great video as always you guys are costing me a fortune 🤣🤣

[@roadstar499]

Great review...thanks for sharing

[@matred3538]

Thanks for the helpful tips. Might upgrade my electrics, and will definitely do the other mod and diffs. Nice one. ☺

[@mikebird8290]

HI PHIL THESE LOOK AMAZING BUDDY. GREAT VALUE AND LIKE U SAID AFTER A COUPLE OF FREE TWEAKS. THERE BRILLIANT SIR. I REALLY LIKE THE MINI. FASTER AS ITS RED LOL. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND 🇬🇧✌🏼🤩👍🏼

[@TomleyRC]

Cheers Mike. Currently sat next to a pool in Abu Dhabi. Bit of time away 👌

[@KlunkersKustoms]

very nice, i like those drift RC's

[@TomleyRC]

Yes, good fun for not a lot of money

[@modelnutty6503]

chassis looks identical to 4DRC "sniper" I'd just picked up fairly cheap. seems they went a little overboard strong/heavy with the rear coils, with the clip/collars removed the fronts feel good, with the rears removed its still feels too stiff. edit- found I had appropriate rear springs only slightly stiffer than fronts without clips on. it'll allow a little body+chassis roll for weight transfer+traction when cornering.

[@Y.M.11]

Hello! Excellent video, camera work and information on the cars. Could you please tell where you purchased the heat sink for the brushed motor and which one it was? I purchased one for UDIRC 1604 and it did not fit. Thank you!

[@SharkysGarageRCandMore]

Thankyou for doing this. Very much enjoyed it

[@RadioControlEnthusiastic]

I really like your channel, greetings from Mexico City

[@TomleyRC]

Thank you. And greetings 👍

[@starseedmanifestations6479]

Killer, waiting to get a bug as the dam Losi micro Baja was the rc that got me started (as an adult) great tips on the free mods.

[@TonysRcTechboom]

Bloody brilliant comparison between them 👍 great Rc's, obviously first time I've seen them 😁 great tip with the diffs and toe-in-out tip 😀 great to see you beat the record with the beatle 👍 really enjoyed every second of this Video as well mate 👍

[@Rek_Rc]

Hahahaha TITT made me spit my sloppy Joe all over my phone, just wasn't prepared. Those cars so freaking awesome BTW.

[@timearlmountainsiderc6519]

The Beatles looks great 👍.

[@markbushell38]

I have both mini's the pickup I'm going to upgrade to the max but the other mini apart from doing the diffs which is a must I'm only going to change the ESC and receiver so I can run it on my noble v4 controller.

[@julianorozco761]

Muy buenos dias Amigo como estas , bonitos los autos , perfectos para lugares pequeños , el precio esta bien , gracias por el video saludos

[@TomleyRC]

Greetings

[@camrowdrone6497]

Herby all the best👊🏻👍🏻

[@kierondraper1799]

I think as an indoor race series you could get some good racing in for not a huge layout. I think that is a lot of the thinking behind these cool little rc cars 😊

[@malurt112]

Hey. Watched your previous vid on loosening the diffs. Must admit that in 3-4 years of RC’ing, I did not know that the screws could actually lock the diff. I can now apply this knowledge to all my plastic housed diffs. Thanks, very useful. I have watched alot of reviews of these cars, and I got both the EAT Lancia and the SG Cobra/Mustang in brushless. The biggest problem for me is the suspension friction dampers, which probably have more friction than the stock diffs. It’s not like a standard friction damper, cause these ones really don’t work. They lock themselves in travel and are too hard in the springs. Furthermore, the body catches the tires under compression, which can’t be adjusted on the SG. The servo horn on the brushless 3-wire servos has a knob on the underside, that touches the chassis around neutral steering position. This, and the fact that the servo is too weak, means that steering will never return to center, unless you are on power, dead straight on a level surface. Of my 15 cars, these require the highest skill level to drive outdoors. Still fun though💪 And then there’s the cogging. You basically have throttle up sooner and keep the speed above a certain point to avoid it. This is the brushless versions. The ESP is not fast enough and makes things worse. The dual rate on the steering had to be dialed down to 8 o’clock to match the mechanical end points. Which makes dual rate unusable for anything other than preventing the servo of dying early. New oildampers is a must. New servo is a must. Servo horn mod is a must. Stiffening the spring in the servosaver is a help. Raising the Body or modifying the wheel arches is required. And then the diffs are locked so either buy alot of wheels or loosen the screws. To make the brushless car even better just change all the electronics😂 Did I mention that the tires have not been glued probably from the factory. One offroad session and the hole inside the rim, filled the tires with dirt. Luckily, the poorly glued tires allowed me to empty them😩 I’ve closed the inside hole and glued the tires afterwards. Do it before offroading, I lost my temper several times, trying to get the debris out😵 Debris also enter the closed off spur and pinion gear quite often. 5 screws to get in, after you’ve fumbled the 4 extremely tight body clips🙏 I like the cars, they’re really durable so far and the body is pretty tough. They look great and the size makes them easy to bring whereever. And they are dirt cheap. But they do require alot of love.

[@Bogues_88]

its just because the diffs are so crappy .. if u loosen them they maybe better for a couple of runs too loose they will strip out really quick .. if u must have this car buy metal diffs for it they are soo much better

[@malurt112]

@@Bogues_88 Thanks. After finding out that they can lock, it’s much easier to get them to behave relative to the oil weight. If you overtighten it feels like a much heavier oil. The diffs in the 144001 have the same problem. I’ve opened up the diffs yesterday on the Eachine Lancia. Mostly air inside😂 I have filled them with 6000 front and rear. I can just barely make the opposite wheel turn, before moving all wheels. So I’m excited to try it now. I did put some foam in the dampers to make them a bit better until the oil dampers arrive in 14 days. I also discovered severe locking of the camber arms, which further compromised the suspension. This is on both the Lancia and Mustang.

[@Bogues_88]

@@malurt112 wouldnt waste time putting oil in the crappy plastic diff just get metal ones they so much smoother. The radio gear is complete crap to he gyro don't work because servo is so slow and the receiver is even slower. I dont know why u tubers keep pushing this rubbish dumbo rc crap. Get something a bit better like flysky gt5. Prob one best radios for price with lot features and gyro abs brakes and a lot all fully adjustable. If u buy crappy dumbo rc u only going have to replace a load of receivers when u get better radio later ..

[@malurt112]

@@Bogues_88 Hahaha. Exactly! Already got one I use for 144001 and my Rustler. With a fully functional gyro and settings for priority💪 It’s a really good radio. Range is also at least ten times that of the 30 meters you get with these cars. When I get fed up, I’ll use GT5 and my Hobby Porter 007 for the two cars, but in the meantime I’m still trying, so new dampers and if that does not work then servo. I can deal with throttle lag, but when the steering will not return to center, it’s not really fun at any tight track. Which was the purpose in the first place, because they are so small. I can whip a rear wheel drive brushless Rustler around a tighter track, both faster and cleaner. They look good and are portable and cheap, but the hours spent making them good, would have been better spent at improving lap times at the track. Did I mention I’m probably gonna get the brushed Porsche anyway?😵

[@Bogues_88]

@@malurt112 yea if u want brushless and are going to put new servo esc and receiver then I would buy brushed then get a surpass hobby combo deal for motor and ESC ..instead paying extra for the crappy combo esc receiver u get in car .. I bought and tried a few 2040 sized motors and the surpass kk 35 brushless ESC .. 2040 sized 3200 3900 4480 kv ... Smaller kv get longer run time .. 4480 kv on 3s is so fast it's extremely hard to race .. I raced it other week and had to start braking for hair pin corner halfway down straight .. since not really meant to race 3s in our club I'm going out a 6000kv 2440 in that have even more power but bit less total speed ... It will be crazy but setting up right and learning to control it will be fun

[@chriswhite2714]

Cool video Phil great editing 👌👍

[@theafilmssm]

Not bad, they seem really slick on carpet, but they are meant for drift rigt? So that makes sense, I would put some bearings in the hubs if they have bushings and no bearings, I just got a little 1/18th car and am modding the heck out of it! I got a brushless motor, new servo, oil shocks, bearings and I would like to get 3 s lipo and new tires! Good video Tomley!

[@TomleyRC]

Sounds good! Thanks for watching 👌

[@theafilmssm]

@@TomleyRC a pleasure of mine!

[@adamwolfy4826]

Wagwan tomley, I made a video like this not long ago on my rc channel, bluewolf rc, these aren’t great stock, I’d say metal diffs are definitely needed, upgraded servo and and the dumbo with a gyro are awesome too

[@TomleyRC]

Wagwan Adam. Nice little tweaks and it’s a different car!

[@DrJT-ly3vr]

Another great video... best channel

[@FarmerFpv]

Awww, they're cute little guys! lol

[@Pablo668]

They look like good fun Tomley. Not sure which one I like more, Beetle or Mini.

[@TomleyRC]

They are really good

[@strydyrhellzrydyr1345]

Sir tomly... I must know. When you say a out the servo working for the WPLs, the 16th scales.. That blue truck.. next to the yellow one. Please tell me what it is. Mainly. The tires on the blue one. I gotta know.. lol

[@jasonmonroe3869]

Nice video, as usual! Ever thought of a low, "barrier cam", type shots? I bet you could catch some nice shots at the end of the long turn farthest from the wall. Keeping RC versus expensive camera pov shots from happening would be my problem driving! Just a thought. Keep on keeping on bud!!!

[@justin83--]

can you do the diff fix on the brushless 1607 Porsche model version aswell?

[@rrrccc1571]

Great comparison!

[@mikeupton5406]

Wire management, LOL oh yeah it looked 727 to me. I love these little cars. Still have the one with the CEN Fiat body on it. Really like the Mini Cooper truck.

[@Chio_OB]

I have a very similar battery solder iron and its great!

[@S.Y-a-ok]

I bought 2 "Beatle" body shell's a couple of months back. 1 for my Inferno TR15. I gave it bigger wheels and sand tyres. It looks mint. The other shell is on my wpl 144001, which also looks much better IMO. I don't know if it's just me noticing more but the Beatle shell seems to be popular atm. Great vids keep em coming Bro 👍🏻

[@KathysFlog]

Nice filming mon brave! 😍

[@TomleyRC]

Merci 🥰

[@mycutyt]

Uouuu tenho o Fusca adorei 🙌

[@michaelcopse2013]

Hi mate just joined your channel I'm loving the mini and the mini pickup could you please let me know were you got them from just love minis. Mike

[@playanddisplay3636]

I would find it interesting how the wltoys would do with similar upgrades

[@TomleyRC]

Yes. I have lots of plans for the next 12 months 👌

[@Dangeresque14]

I bought a brushless sg1604 on flash sale and it was awful. Even after adjusting and greasing the diffs and steering links it cogged and lagged horribly. Since I can't leave well enough alone I changed out the motor, esc, oil shocks, and put in metal diffs. It's now one of my favorite little cars. Surprisingly the metal diffs made a huge difference in handling.

[@PakWahyu]

Your informasi is good and complte

[@TomleyRC]

Thank you 🙏

[@gmoney4797]

Do you have a video describing the parts you use to make your tracks?

[@Thunderchops1984]

Is it the tightness of the screws clamping down on the diffs that’s making them so stiff then or a lack of grease?

[@TuskeyeAndSon]

The pioneer! THE PIONEER!

[@mehimrc1314]

Since owning the UDI I've never liked the none adjustability of the toe links and solid top arms instead of camber links.

[@TomleyRC]

Yeah, I reckon some cheap parts of Aliexpress could fix that 👌

[@djmandrick]

@@TomleyRC if you find suitable parts that'd be a great video, as I've not found anything I think would fit (as yet!). Agree with OP, and if only it came with adjustable options as stock (especially as they push the drift factor like you said), camber is pretty important. I guess this likel everything is built to a budget though, so Im happy to swap bits out as they are hardly expensive when you do find them..

[@dirk4848]

Hallo ich würde mir gerne in der 1608 einen anderen Motor verbauen. Das Problem was ich habe ist das Motor Ritzel. Oder besser gessgt die Motorwelle. Den Motor was ich habe hat eine 3, 19 Bohrung und die verbaute 2,3. Welches ritzel kann ich kaufen?

[@gonzpierre]

hi .. I thought these car got planetary differential from the factory. if it is.. the same rotation for the wheel when you spin either one of it should be normal in planetary diff right ? please correct me if I'm wrong.

[@donniemarks94]

Nice tips man 😊👍🛻

[@mattm1841]

Hey! Where did you get rc track walls for the corners? Iv got some space I could make a track and can't find the walls like you've used

[@TomleyRC]

It’s garden ‘edging’ off Amazon

[@mattm1841]

Oh that's amazingly cheap! Thanks I'm off to the store to get some now!!

[@bernardrc1137]

Make an 53 Herbie version, you know you really want to 😜 that be awesome to see, make it brushless too,🤪🤪 Herbie rides again, rc style 😉😁👍

[@ghostinng274]

I like the mini truck lol

[@tobrc]

The 5 wire servo plug from the brushed version is smaller than the plug from wltoys but the servo itself fits.✌️😉

[@miguel360kmc]

Newer to the hobby and i think I've found a diamond in the ruff thats almost awesome. A "power Craze 2.0" Its a micro/mini rc truck that i clocked doing 15mph it's rated at 17mph it doesn't list the size its = to half of a dvd case fits in my hand. I would love to upgrade it a little a video on it would be nice.. best part its a $15usd truck at Walmart

[@miguel360kmc]

I have real trucks hobby level rcs but have been hunting for a truck that i can fit easy in my bag 🎒

[@markpace5809]

Top tips 👍

[@herbatkowy]

Are these simple mods (links and diff mod) good for drift also? Or for drifting better stay totally stock?

[@mikemangiameli561]

Beetle hand down. Lol 😂😂😂😂

[@anime4idiots]

Dont race for rc pink slips when you race kev, you will lose Lol 😂😂😜. Just have fun when you do race him!! Keep up the good work your doing great' look forward😜👏👏👍 to your next vid

[@TomleyRC]

Hahahaha

[@TCnML]

I ordered the brushless “not a VW Bug” What esc would you recommend if I wanted to run my own rx/tx?

[@lael1236]

Nice mate!! Hey in your opinion wich servo Is better? This one or the surpass 17g metalic ones?

[@asagreenway8483]

How do you get the screws out of the links when swapping them over ?

[@gatorage850]

With front toe!!! (toe-in) make the car track straight (lock-in) and usually make the car easier to drive but you have less total control and less initial steering. So if you have play (from - weak servo/servo saver or in the links) with (toe-in) the car will be darty and you have less control of initial steering. it would be harder to keep it straight. Vs front toe-out, you gain a bunch of control and speed over the initial steering (makes a slow servo faster). Usually harder to drive but you have more control of the inputs (less restrictive)(more manual). So you have more ability to stop a car from wandering or darting off.

[@gamingstokr7299]

Check out the 1RC Racing 1/18 RTR racing cars. You may like those for the TITT.

[@mattcathey2009]

Can you swap the bodies between the two cars?

[@timchristiansen1287]

How are you filming on the side of the car? And what camera?😊

[@rob86trott]

Get a carisma gt24 . I bet that would be amazing around your track

[@simongardner8412]

What esc would you use for the brushless version if you were doing the same conversion?