DIY Network

RC On-Road Racers: Shocks, Springs and Tires From "Radio Control Hobbies" episode RCH-302

1/10-scale model racers like this TC-3 from Team Associated® are low-slung, fast and very adept at cornering.

In this episode of DIY's Radio Control Hobbies, the topic is high-performance, competition-version 1/10-scale road racers. Host Chris Chianelli modifies an RC on-road racer with upgrades to the motor, shocks, springs, tires and battery power. He then visits the world-famous Indianapolis Speedway where there's small-scale racing action in addition to the full-sized variety.

In this first segment, Chris introduces our RC project car -- Team Associated's TC3® road racer -- and gets started on the modifications with the shocks, springs and tires.

Materials used in this episode:

Pliers
Solder
Solder gun
Hex driver
Allen wrench
9/16" wrench

advertisement

Introduction: 1/10-Scale On-Road Racers

These exciting scale-model racers are low-slung, fast and very adept at cornering. They typically feature adjustments so that each racer can be quickly and easily customized for handling on individual tracks and in varying racing situations. Adjustment features include suspension attributes like caster, camber and toe-in. Items that you should carry with you whenever you racing these 10-scalers include:

• A variety of racing tires in varying treads and compounds (soft and hard);
  
• Shock oil in varying weights; and
  
An array of suspension springs.

In our spring replacement kit (figure A), each color represents a different degree of stiffness. Changing the springs is one of the track-specific modifications we feature in this segment (figure B). We also change out the shock oil and tires.

Figure A

Figure B

Important: This demonstration shows provides some of the basic information for assembly and operation of this particular radio-control model racecar. There are variations in assembly for each particular model. Read and carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions that come with yours -- whether it is this particular model or another. Additional information about assembly as well as running, troubleshooting and fine-tuning the model can typically be found in the manufacturer's instructions.

Shocks and Springs Modification

• Remove the shock's top nut using the hex-wrench included with the model.

• Remove the bottom nut using a hex driver (figure C).

• Use a 9/16 wrench to hold the shock stationary as you remove the top cap with needle-nosed pliers (figure D).

  Figure C

  Figure D

  
  

• With the top removed, drain the oil out onto paper towels.

• Work the piston a few a times to get all of the old oil out.

• Carefully pour in the new shock oil (figure E). In our case, we were replacing with a lighter viscosity oil.

  Important: Fill to about half full and work the piston up and down to get out all of the air bubbles out(figure F), then add more oil until full.

  Figure E

  Figure F

  
  

  	Figure G
  	Figure H
  	Figure I

• Replace the cap(figure G). being careful not to over-tighten.

• Slide the spring over the shock. In our case, we installed a heavier-duty yellow spring (figure H). Snap the shock-collar and spacers on to hold in place.

• With the new spring in place, re-install the shock(figure I).

• Tighten just until snug.

• Repeat the process on all four wheels.

Figure J

Swapping the Tires

The best way to customize your racer's performance to a specific track is by changing to the most suitable tire compound for the track -- soft, medium or hard. Changing out the tires is a simple procedure. Simply remove the wheel and tire using a nut driver, and replace with the new tire of your choice (figure I). The wheels are held in place using aircraft nuts, so they don't need to be tightened down hard. Simply snug them down.

Model specs:

Electrics TC3®
by Team Associated

Length......14.4 inches
Width 7.5 inches
Engine...... Electric
Assembly......Ready to run.
Street Price .... $350 to $500

In the segment that follows, Chris performs some electronic hop-ups on the TC3.

RESOURCES :

TC-3 Road Racer from TEAM ASSOCIATED®
Associated Electrics Inc.
Website: www.teamassociated.com

Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Website: www.indianapolismotorspeedway.net