Updating my Tamiya Manta Ray

[defblade]

Disastrous said:

Sorry for the resurrection, but I'd like to redo mine (I think I posted a thread years ago but can't find it now and never got around to it) and am struggling to figure out where to start. I think I know what bits I want but am struggling to know exactly what model parts to order.

As far as I know, nothing was actually broken on it, prior to it moving to the loft years ago but assuming time has dried out oil and whatnot I think I will need:

1) New shock oil - is this standard? Is it easy to apply? Is there a particular type?

2) An ESC - does this just swap in for the mechanical part? Is there a model that fits in the chassis especially?

3) Motor? Should be ok I think. I was happy with it anyway and initially would like to just get it to run.

4) Batteries - I had a couple yellow NiCad (IIRC) battery packs that lasted all of 5 seconds each back in the day. And a charger. Can I upgrade these and use my old charger?

My other issue is the body shell. I've found one place (Kamtec) that does replacements but not the wing. Are there alternative wings that would work??

Thanks in advance - I'm really pretty clueless about all this. I made an initial enquiry to a model shop online a few years ago but was told that basically it would be more expensive to get parts than it was worth, and I should buy a new one, which felt silly somehow so all advice appreciated!

1) Shock oil's available in various grades, heavier = stiffer. The different companies don't follow the same numbering scheme though, so it's a bit hit-and-miss unless you buy several grades from one company. You may well find there's a bottle in your pile of bits (you do have a pile of bits leftover/accumulated?) as they supply too much in the first place IIRC.

2) ESC is basically a simple swop. You can/will lose the "hot" resistor. My heatsinking was probably 100% unnecessary Cable ties or maybe sticky Velcro will mount it fine.

3) If it ain't broke Faster motors = more damage to the front end

4) Go NiMH, battery tech has increased massively; easy 20 mins or so from 3000mAH; a new NiMH charger is cheap enough too. You could look into Lithium but that's a whole other level...

5+supp) Ebay is probably your best friend here. Or you could, with imagination and boldness, get many other things to fit: the body posts are available in various lengths so you can mount something higher/less figure-hugging. I would say that I do find the wing important in terms of rolling the car it does seem much more likely to end up on the wheels (or at least the side) rather than the roof with the wing on. Mine is about 95% gaffa tape these days!



However, the model shop may be right in many ways: various bits of your old car may be brittle/perished and just plain older, less crash resistant designs and materials than newer kit. I keep mine going from love rather than sense!




Although it's been raining almost constantly since November here in SW Wale, so RC time since about a year ago = 0

[Disastrous]

Thanks for that! Appreciated. Afraid I don't have any bits leftover but will just order *something* and hope for the best!

So will any ESC do?

Here's a proposed parts list:

Tamiya ESC - http://www.modelsport.co.uk/tamiya-brushed-brushle...

40W Oil - http://www.modelsport.co.uk/hpi-baja-shock-oil-40w...

Battery - http://www.modelsport.co.uk/duratrax-onyx-nimh-7.2... - Is this a straight swap for the ones that fitted in the old days?

Charger - http://www.modelsport.co.uk/etronix-powerpal-pocke...

Bodyshell - http://www.kamtec.co.uk/KAMTEC-Tamiya-manta-ray-Le...

And maybe I just keep the hideous old wing in place. I presume there's no way to 'dip' the wing to remove the old paint and start again??

That's all pretty cheap if I have the right things??


ETA - that's assuming the rest of it doesn't all immediately fall apart the instant I turn it on but in all honesty, I hardly used it so expect most of it to be in near-new condition. I just made an utterly horrendous job of painting it, which made me hate it a bit and not use it.

Edited by Disastrous on Monday 4th January 17:38

[theshrew]

Disastrous said:

Thanks for that! Appreciated. Afraid I don't have any bits leftover but will just order *something* and hope for the best!

So will any ESC do?

Here's a proposed parts list:

Tamiya ESC - http://www.modelsport.co.uk/tamiya-brushed-brushle...

40W Oil - http://www.modelsport.co.uk/hpi-baja-shock-oil-40w...

Battery - http://www.modelsport.co.uk/duratrax-onyx-nimh-7.2... - Is this a straight swap for the ones that fitted in the old days?

Charger - http://www.modelsport.co.uk/etronix-powerpal-pocke...

Bodyshell - http://www.kamtec.co.uk/KAMTEC-Tamiya-manta-ray-Le...

And maybe I just keep the hideous old wing in place. I presume there's no way to 'dip' the wing to remove the old paint and start again??

That's all pretty cheap if I have the right things??


ETA - that's assuming the rest of it doesn't all immediately fall apart the instant I turn it on but in all honesty, I hardly used it so expect most of it to be in near-new condition. I just made an utterly horrendous job of painting it, which made me hate it a bit and not use it.

Edited by Disastrous on Monday 4th January 17:38

The Speedo - You need to consider two things. Will it fit in the car ( most these days will ) and more importantly will it run the turn motor you have. That one you show does brushless to so id go for a brushless motor to match as they give a longer play time.

Oil - Yes that's fine

Battery - Yes that will fit but go for a higher capacity 3000 + again for longer play time.

Charger + Shell should be fine.

Best thing to do is call the shop up Modelsport or Apex models are good to deal with. Explain what you want and they will sort you out. Kamtec are also good for the shell.

[Disastrous]

Nice one theshrew. I've done as you suggest and fired off a couple of emails explaining what I'm looking to do and asking for recommendations.


Also, probably buried in the barrage of other questions but do we know whether the rear wings are pretty generic/interchangeable on these things?

[theshrew]

I don't know about this specific model. 99 % of the time wings are just bolt on so I imagine so.

[Disastrous]

Fair shout - I'm going to see if I can strip the wing with some Dot 4 fluid first anyhow.

In other news, all my bits are ordered so will hopefully be up and running soon. Modelsport UK massively helpful so thanks for the suggestions all

[Disastrous]

Reading this again, I'm slightly terrified that once I fit the bits my car will immediately smash itself to pieces like the OP's one. I'm hoping that the fact that it led a pretty sheltered life when it was new might mean the bits are in good nick.

I feel a bit silly as it's cost me £70 in total and that doesn't seem a million miles off a new kit, but in fairness, £50 of that is a new battery and charger which I guess I would have needed with a new kit anyway.

Oh well, fingers crossed!

[defblade]

Disastrous said:

Reading this again, I'm slightly terrified that once I fit the bits my car will immediately smash itself to pieces like the OP's one.

TBF, mine suffered a combination of 10/11 year old daughter's driving, and a venue that's an old spoil heap, with lots of big chunky rocks for said daughter to drive it into

[Disastrous]

defblade said:

Disastrous said:

Reading this again, I'm slightly terrified that once I fit the bits my car will immediately smash itself to pieces like the OP's one.

TBF, mine suffered a combination of 10/11 year old daughter's driving, and a venue that's an old spoil heap, with lots of big chunky rocks for said daughter to drive it into

I shall keep my fingers crossed then, that your 10/11 year old daughter is a worse driver than me!