1/8th

CEN Racing 1/8th GSR 5.0 Nitro Monster Truck Overview

Zero — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0600

The GSR 5.0 on the dirt

Light-weight 23 mm hex 6 spoke wheel with super soft all terrain tire

This is one monster truck ready and willing to tear-up the track. CEN Racing claims a 2nd Place finish at the 2007 Monster Truck Nationals and their website exclaims that they were the only truck that didn't break in the A-main finals. Sporting a 5.0 cc Corsa engine and a 2-speed transmission, this truck is claims to reach speeds of about 45 mph. That is some Monster truck.

The CEN Racing 1/8th GSR 5.0 Nitro Monster Truck is loaded with some nice features which makes the claim of durability very believable. It has features like the Corsa 5.0 cc engine, a two speed transmission, Aluminum chassis, Aluminum shock towers, a protected radio box, "MTM" metal brake system which sports 4 disc brakes, and much more.

Downforce Racing Wing

Additional Features:

New super stiff shock springs to launch your GSR off ramps and dirt jumps!
Light-weight 23 mm hex 6 spoke wheel with super soft all terrain tire
Light-weight composite two piece tuned pipe
All new racing wing and wing mount with adjustable down-force! Provides added stability while jumping and traction at high speeds.
Powerful and durable rear exhaust 5.0cc Corsa engine with tons of power!
Newly designed body scheme that comes pre-painted and decaled.
Heavy duty Metal to Metal Brake system for superior stopping power.
Extremely lightweight composite drive-train for reduced rotating mass
Equipped with easy to use Allen hex screws
Machined one-piece engine mount with cooling fins suitable for most big block engines
Front and rear racing differentials with super hard steel gears for extreme durability.
Dual Vertical Chassis design that provides ultra rigid support
High impact skid plate bumpers to improve durability (front and rear)
Hardened steel 8 mm constant velocity axles
Heavy duty spindles and caster blocks with alloy wheel hubs
Protected radio box and battery case
Oil filled shocks with functional reservoirs to absorb all types of terrain.

Specifications:

The GSR 5.0 on the dirt

Length: 22.4 inch / 570 mm
Weight: 12.5 lbs / 5.7kg
Engine: CORSA 5.0 engine
Width: 16.5 inch / 420 mm
Wheel size: 3.7inch / 94 mm
Transmission: 2 Speed Forward
Ground clearance: 3.15 inch / 80 mm
Tires: 6.2inch / 157 mm
Drive System: V Shaft Driven, 4 wheel drive
Overall Height: 9.84 inch / 250 mm
Wheelbase: 15.63inch /397 mm
Radio System: FM Digital Spec Radio
Fuel tank capacity: 220 cc
Chassis type: Dual VPC (Vertical Plate Chassis)
Differential type: Sealed 6-Gear Differential

For more information, check out the CEN Racing website.

O'Donnell Z01-B Nitro 4WD Buggy Overview

fastie — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0500

O'Donnell Z01-B Nitro 4WD Buggy in action

Designed and built for competitive 1/8th scale nitro buggy racing, Steve O'Donnell crafted an exceptional platform. Being a kit and made for serious competitors, this model will require your choice of radio, engine, and even racing tires. The parts and materials chosen are first class for this type of RC buggy, positioning of components on the chasis are ideal for excellent performance. With it's race proven chasis, O'Donnell's Z01-B would be an excellent choice for the serious buggy racer looking for an adjustable, race-capable platform moving up from the RTR models popular in your clubs.

O'Donnell Z01-B Nitro 4WD Buggy in action

O'Donnell Racing's website has detailed descriptions for this competition capable 1/8th scale buggy platform. The features of this model include CNC-machined and hard-anodized aluminum parts, nickel-plated drive components which reduce wear and friction, carbon fiber mounting plates for servos and accessories, and nicely crafted aluminum full bodied shocks. A good race car comes with adjustability for the track and environment you are racing at, and this car has adjustable caster, camber and rear ride-height. If purchasing this kit, please also make note of the "tech notice" advertised on the Z01-B website it refers to some construction tips missing from the issues manual. Below are also some of the specs on the buggy.

Specifications:

O'Donnell Z01-B Nitro 4WD Buggy

Length: 20 in (510 mm)
Width: 12 in (305 mm)
Height: 7.5 in (190 mm)
Weight: 6 lb (2,720 g)
Wheelbase: 13 in (330 mm)
F/R Track: 10.25/10.5 in (260/275 mm)

How to Disassemble and Clean The Savage X

Sean — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 04:13:42 -0600

I always hear alot of talk on all the popular forums that the HPI Savage is a difficult vehicle to work on and clean, so I am making this to possibly help out a little bit. Since I went mud bashing the other day, I thought it would be wise to tear the truck down and give it a good clean. Here are pictures, and a detailed explaination of everything that I had done.

Before break down, it looked like this.

A very dirty Savage X

After disasembling it.

Disassembled

And then, this is what it looked like after cleaning:

Freshly cleaned Savage X

What you will need -

Large Phillips Screw Driver
Hex Set
Possibly a Flathead.

Instructions:

Disassembling your Savage is actually quite easy. Here are the screws that you will need to remove to get the front and rear end completely off.

You will need to remove these screws on BOTH sides of the TVP.

Front end removal: Un-screw the eight yellow screws in the front remove the complete front end, radiobox and all. You will need to slightly bend the TVP's to remove the entire piece.

Rear end removal: NOTE: The red arrow is pointing at two screws that attach the motor plate to the transmission, you will need to flip the truck over to remove these. There is one on each side of the bottom, at the furthest point forward on the TVP. Remove those screws, and the other ones highlighted in yellow on each side. You will need to slightly bend the TVP's to remove the entire piece.

To complete the disassembly process, pop the ball cup off your carburator, and remove the screw from your servo horn. Also, remove the exhaust manifold spring, and un-screw your exhaust from the mount. If you don't want to loose screws, Invest in a small tuppaware container with dividers in it, availiable at most grocery stores.

A standard divided container

How I like to clean my truck:

What I used-

30gal air compressor (Yours can be much smaller)
Simple Green
WD40
Shop towels

Once I had my truck torn apart, I shot the front and rear ends generously with Simple Green. I then fired up my Air Compressor and let it fully pressurise. Carefully clean the TVP/Transmission portion with one of your Shop Towels, spraying small amounts of Simple Green, being carefull not to get the brakes wet. Now, work your way back to the front and rear ends. Give them another light go over with your simple green, and then blast them with your Air Compressor, until they are clean to your satisfaction. Be careful with the front end of your truck, you don't want to get your servos or receiver wet. Once they are clean and dry, blast your bearings with WD40, and if you would like, blast the entire piece of the truck. It gives it that like new shine, and also protects it from rust. Now, once your truck is completely clean to your satisfaction, re-assemble it doing the exact opposite of what you did to disassemble it.

FINAL STEP: This is by far the most crucial step. Sit back, and look at your beautifully cleaned truck!

HPI Savage X 4.6 Review

Sean — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 23:55:13 -0600

One of the most well known things about HPI is their "Savage" line up of vehicles. The savage has been around for many years, and has always been considered one of the toughest trucks on the block. With the Savage 21 RTR, Savage SS, Savage 25 RTR, Savage 25 SS, Savage X RTR, and Savage X SS, HPI has just recently released another Savage, the Savage X 4.6 RTR. The X 4.6 has all the same great qualites of the new Savage X RTR, but with even more. A much more powerful F4.6 .28 engine produced by HPI powers the rig, and to slow the big truck down, HPI added their dual red fibre brake system. Not only a much needed upgrade, but looks great too. This, and several other things were added to make the Savage even tougher than the rest.