1/8 Buggy Question

Wardy24 · #1 02-26-2007, 03:15 PM

OK, i guess the majority rules so that is why i am asking a redundent question. i have an ofna violator 9.5v. i have an ofna JP-3 Pipe and changed the clutchbell to a 16t. this past weekend was my first run at a real track and let me say....wow.....now i fully understan the obsession with RC. although the car handeled well and i will probably change back to the 14t stock clutchbell as the track has more turnes in it then straights and i want that low end.

the question is.....i want somethign better.....i hear all the hype about the 8ight beign good and am very intrigued by the new associated rc 8 when ever it comes out. the motor i am looking at is the axial .28 spec beceause it has some good numbers as far as specs and is at a good price and also entertaining getting a spectrum control. i guess i want the opinion of the masses on what wil be the best bang for my dollar with this new project as i want somethign better than the violator (if there is)

ericem · #2 02-26-2007, 03:33 PM

If you want to race stay in .21. And secondly the 8ight is a VERY good buggy on the track right out of the box, and has a great radio. But then again, the sportwerks buggy isn't bad either hmm.... Basically you choice. A better driver makes a much better buggy to.

Wardy24 · #3 02-26-2007, 05:47 PM

from what i understand, the .21 is what is ROAR leagal correct?.......

blktransam · #4 02-26-2007, 05:57 PM

yes wardy but ALOT of tracks use the "roar" rules some club tracks or practice sessions dont care what engine you run, I have ran the .28 in a buggy as well as a .32 and they were both good engine but stick with a .21 if ucan the o.s vg 21 are great engines

Holeshot101 · #5 02-26-2007, 07:29 PM

I hear a lotttt of good stuff about the eight. The only thing is if you like to "push" your driving throughout the race, the car will be slower. In other words, the harder you drive the longer your lap times are.

Grant Tokumi · #6 02-26-2007, 09:00 PM

Quote:

this past weekend was my first run at a real track and let me say....wow.....now i fully understan the obsession with RC.

Its good to hear that your first experience at the track was a good one.

If you are just starting out in racing, my suggestion would actually be to drive what you have as long as you are not breaking frequently, flaming out, glitching, etc. If you have an unreliable vehicle, then follow the advice about other vehicles, but my feeling from an economic standpoint has always been, drive what you have, and buy as you need, with the primary goal of "finish the race!". Forget handling, the real question is can you consistently start your car in 20 seconds when told to do so, and then drive a full 5-8 minutes (warmup + qualifier) without bringing it in for ANY reason other than refueling? You will have to do so to finish a race.

It sounds like you had a good time, so that tells me what you have is already somewhat reliable enough to get through some races. After a few races under your belt and seeing and talking to other locals at the track, and reading suggestions here, I think you can make a better educated decision on what to buy. And believe me, unless you are prepared to pay the price for a crash course (literally) in racing, you probably don't want brand new $800 worth of equipment going ballistic around the track with tires turning into CDs when you are just getting the hang of driving in a racing environment.

I do think a Spektrum based controller will end up being a good investment on your part.

Good luck man!!

seanmanibog · #7 02-26-2007, 10:32 PM

I have a Axial .28 that I will be using for racing season and my track allows it.

blktransam · #8 02-26-2007, 10:33 PM

I run the losi 8ight and yes the harder you drive it the slower u will be, drive it like a touring car and you will get some fast lap times, I also run the o.s max vg .21 and its very strong and reliable engine!

Wardy24 · #9 02-27-2007, 09:03 AM

I am not sure i understand the logic "the harder you drive it the slower it will be" sorry for sounding dumb but i assume you mean that the car does not take much to handle like a champ?

Grant Tokumi · #10 02-27-2007, 09:58 AM

It means the harder you drive it, the worse your lap times will be. Its a counter intuitive concept, but many times, slowing down to drive good lines will give you better lap times than going ballistic, burning out all over the place as you make your way around the track. Driving hard is more of a "throw and catch" concept to driving where you throw your car into a corner and catch it and try to control it as you navigate the turn. Some cars like to be driven like that. I guess the people are saying the 8ight is not one of those types of vehicles.

balang_479 · #11 02-27-2007, 01:38 PM

Ive found out that driving harder, gives better result, but mainly also to take all the fear, fear?? you may be asking yourself, but yeah youll be scared to brake a little later to accelerate a little longer to turn harder into the corner, and by concentrating and pushing more everylap youll see a dramatic increase in better lap times, but concentrate and get that adrenaline going, its the best thing for you.

blktransam · #12 02-27-2007, 05:49 PM

my hyper7 and my jammin x1cr LOVED to be driven hard my 8ight likes to just "go around" the track not such a "fast" car its handling is what makes it net faster lap times.

balang do u have a losi 8ight? if not then you wouldnt know how to drive it. its WAY different then your kyosho, or many other cars for that matter it likes to be driven smooth and easy

balang_479 · #13 02-28-2007, 01:16 PM

unfortunately i dont have a 8ight although i would love one, The lovely thing about the 8ight ive seen is that you cant get it out of shape, it just holds its line and goes over everything, amazing car.

rccardude04 · #14 02-28-2007, 11:53 PM

Do you have to drive it kind of like a gas truck? Easy on the throttle and smooth in the turns?
-Eric

blktransam · #15 03-01-2007, 12:10 AM

EXACTLY...if you come from a backround of racing 2 wheel drive buggy or truck like a 1/10 scale electric then this buggy will be EXACTLY what you need...it drives very well once you get used to it, and like any buggy it can get out of shape its not the buggy if u like to push ur car around the track.. or else you will be changing ur driving style, dont get me wrong its a GREAT buggy and recomend it to anyone

rccardude04 · #16 03-01-2007, 12:25 AM

I don't like to drive hard. I always just kinda get the thing around the track. I end up making mistakes when I try to push a car hard. I'm starting to wonder if I really should wait for the RC8 or if the Losi might be a better car for me.
-Eric

seanmanibog · #17 03-01-2007, 12:53 AM

>>> Is waiting for RC 8<<<

Wardy24 · #18 03-01-2007, 08:46 AM

from what i hear, the RC8 is supposed to be a pretty hot car. looks nice from the pics.

rccardude04 · #19 03-01-2007, 09:23 AM

It certainly does. Plus there's just the cool factor... Associated and 1/8 buggy. lol.
The question is, will it be a better car than the Losi, or the Mugen, or .....
One way to find out

-Eric

blktransam · #20 03-01-2007, 01:26 PM

I dont see any "crazy" changes to the RC8 from other buggies I think they played it more safe then sorry...now losi the engine is praticly in the center of the chassis and is a very nice car I cant bash the RC8 beings I hevnt driven one (as not really anyone has yet) but I am more then happy with my 8ight.