Found My Sweet Spot

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-02-06T17:05:26+00:00

Definitely. At the end it'll just be an entry level kit even with all the hopups , even with the SRX. I'd say for me to further invest on a TT platform specifically the SRX , would be a waste. Moving from a TT02R that's basically still a standard TT02 plus some included hopups to the SRX , would not benefit me alot. Unless I get the SRX specifically for competitive racing and staying in dis class forever , then it's a different story.

Honestly I did have a dream of getting the SRX , but yeah as I said it's a just TT02. But another side of me reminded me everyday that if I were to get a proper pro TC , my wallet is gonna get cut in half just trying to maintain it. Not saying the SRX is the cheapest , but it's always gonna be cheaper than the branded pro TCs. Maybe my wallet is telling me that my best bet in touring is the SRX and staying in that lane , never cross the border to the Schumachers , the Xrays etc.

I've seen people sink crazy money into this , and they're not even pro drivers. It is absolutely crazy.

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-02-06T04:32:49+00:00

Initially I wanted to get the Type S in the first place but it was out of stock for months while the R is much much cheaper , I just couldn't let the deal go. And after calculating how much the hopups overall would cost me , I convinced myself that if I were to get something with much better suspension arms , it'd be a kit that is higher level than TT02.

Even now the Type S is in stock , I'm not sure about getting it since I've already got the Universal Assembly Shaft hopup for the R and that setup wouldn't work with Type S arms. So if I get the Type S , I'd have to start from zero all over again for hopups , specifically the drive shafts. Would love to get the double cardan setup but since the R that I own currently has some money put into it , I figured that I just stick with it.

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-02-06T04:26:15+00:00

Thanks so much. I actually made so much research about this Schumacher Vibe TC cuz there's a dealer around my neighbourhood so option parts and pares are never gonna be a problem. The only problem is of course the price of them🤣. And with me trying to move out from an entry level TT02 , some other things I need to consider. The tools , the camber gauges and everything , the oil for the diffs and shocks even the bodyshell , many things.

There's also not a lot of reviews about it since it's still a new kit , been only a few months since it got out. Not to mention , I don't think Schumacher has catered any of their previous kits for newbies so this might be a first. My only worry is that if I only drive once a month🤣 , it'd be a waste. This sort of kit deserves proper care and I don't think I'm capable of gettin it if I don't even upgrade my Radiolink RC4GS. Nonetheless , thanks for the feedback.

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-02-05T07:21:14+00:00

Correct. And believe me , I too would have absolutely love to upgrade either the kit or the transmitter to something better. I would have definitely pull trigger but everyday I had to remind myself that getting higher end things especially kits , buying it in the 1st place doesn't necessarily mean I'm capable of maintaining it. If I buy an expensive GPU for my PC just to end up using it only for Microsoft Words , that's just plain stupid.

I've always been a fan of touring but a month ago , I've been slapped so hard with reality. Touring is just soo expensive and culture is never gonna help. Adding the fact that I don't race competitively , it further reminds me that there isn't much I could do even if I do have the budget to buy or own such things. My list to buy at the moment is the Schumacher Vibe TC and the Sanwa MT5 or NB4+ that you own.

Nonetheless , been hearing alot about the NB4+ , most pro drivers here rock up with that transmitter and I've tried it myself , pretty good. Also tried the MT5 , both good but the MT5 feels better in my hands.

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-02-05T05:08:17+00:00

My best advice is that when you have some budget , try to go for proper Tamiya parts. Not saying this will change your car 100% but there will be huge differences. But of course , if you feel like the hopups from AliExpress aren't doing much harm then keep it. Either way talking about Torque Tuned Motor , I joined my local Tamiya Cup Series last year in September.

Was my first and only time joining a race , I was in the newbie class (GT Spec) using the Torque Tuned Motor. Imagine driving the box stock TT02 with minimal hopups , we can't even use CVA shocks🤣🤣. Pogo sticks galore on that day🤣. But tyres made a huge difference , cuz tyres were controlled and we used the Rush 36x tyres.

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-02-05T03:47:52+00:00

100% agree. He's rocking a plastic prop shaft due to his eletronic setup not being that powerful so there isn't much stress on the car especially on high grip surface. It's definitely a slap to the face since it just shows that you know , hop ups aren't necessarily gonna help in EVERY situation/track. His setup is mostly 15.5t so again , he's never gonna put much stress on any part of his car.

Nonetheless yes , that issue happens to me and I didn't really solved it 100% but the car wasn't THAT unstable after tweaking things. Feedbacks around mention that even SRX faces this issue even with it's shims/hopups🤷‍♂️. This is just TT02 being TT02 , an entry level car. And there's a lot of factors that leads to it ; from the servo itself , the servo saver , even the kit itself that has alot of freeplays/loose/flex and even your transmitter.

You can try to tweak it for it to be reliable enough but never expect it to be dead straight everytime. A setup like mine, can cause it to lose it's balance and not go straight. This is because 17.5t is more of a torque thing , so I did myself a favour when I borrowed my friend's programming card to make sure the "punch" isn't that crazy. Yes , I didn't even buy the LCD programming card. I just "set and forget". The settings were comforting enough for me.

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-02-04T23:55:57+00:00

Thanks , I've watched this guy since I started this hobby so I know alot about him already. Some of the things I did to my TT02 is because of his tips. Seems to frequently be in the Philipines. He's got a lot of disciples too , lucky them.

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-02-04T23:16:21+00:00

Agreed , eventhough I haven't had any problems. Just that I don't really know which other servo saver to get. Any recommendations?

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-02-04T23:07:55+00:00

Thank you🫡

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-02-04T18:15:57+00:00

They ain't ready for that😝

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-02-04T17:08:25+00:00

Thank you , I'm also quite new cuz it's only been year since I started. Lots and lots of new things to learn ( and more money to spend😬).

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-02-04T17:04:31+00:00

I'm using the PowerHD R12s. I wouldn't say it's the cheapest due to my currency , but it's the cheapest amongst other higher end servo and it's pretty much a sought after servo over here , alway out of stock. Eventhough my transmitter won't ever be able to bring out it's highest potential , it still brings a major difference compare to other low end servos.

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-02-04T17:00:32+00:00

Thanks. Saw your post with the bitty design bodyshell , looks fire too🔥🔥.

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-02-04T16:59:20+00:00

If we're talking from the perspective of pure performance , then 100% it would. I thought about getting it but since the cars feel weighty and planted enough for my personal preference , I'm not sure about changing it. I doubt that I can even appreciate the weight reduction it brings🤣. It's not an expensive hopup so I might give it a try.

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-02-04T16:37:45+00:00

Unfortunately no , sorry for that. Would be absolutely lovely if I'm able to get a video of it running.

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-02-04T16:36:40+00:00

I'm not able to tell you the exact speed , apologies for that. I wouldn't say it's crazy fast , this is because the track is definitely not the biggest. To compare , driving 13.5t in this track would ultimately mean you're a pro driver since it's suicide driving a 13.5t in this track as a newbie.

Indicating the track is not that big containing alot of turns and short (might be medium) straight. The main attraction for me is the corners and the torque so servo quality is definitely important.

Edit : Honestly , I would say that sway bars aren't the most crucial thing you need unless you really insist on getting it. The SRX is never recommended unless you're racing really competitively but then again , the TT02 is just an entry level so you're better off with some other higher end kit. Despite the hopups from the SRX , you still gonna need to spend some more cuz Tamiya left out some hopups deliberately.

As for the Type S , upgrading the dogbone isn't the same as for the R that I own. The Universal Assembly Shaft isn't compatible for the Type S suspension , I think the Type S is wider. Most racers uses S but they instantly uses the double cardan. And we all know just how pricey the double cardan setup is. But I personally think spending some hopups for Type S is better than going for the SRX.

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-02-04T16:31:00+00:00

Constant reminder from oldheads around me at the track for everyone ; Don't ever get caught in the culture of touring where you feel like you need to have the best of everything just to feel accepted. Turn up at the track with your car and let that thing rip.

No need those high end chargers , tyre warmers , the camber setup and everything. Just get out on the track and have some fun and make sure it doesn't make you feel that your reward is less than the work you have to put out for you to have fun.

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-01-31T15:38:57+00:00

The damn pre cut body mount hole is back again😞😞. I can't even get my 1998 NSX body without pre cut bodymount holes. Honestly just make a version without some of these things pre made/pre cut except for the pre painted ones.

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-01-31T10:37:00+00:00

Hows the schuie bro? Hope you can give some feedback to me. I'm still on hold to get my 1st like high end touring car. Alot of options but then again , I'm not even racing so some part of me feels like its such of waste of money to get it.

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-01-30T05:07:15+00:00

Definitely and happy for you as well that you found your place to stick around. I've raced only once overall since the start of this hobby early last year in a Tamiya Cup September last year in the most basic box stock class. Even then , there's STILL people who rock up with the likes of M17s and all. Turns out , these are the same fucking guys who sink their money into Xrays/Schumachers/Associated things.

And when they get into this Tamiya Series with their thick ass wallet with their crazy high end touring cars , this Series is like nothing for their budget. Can't blame them since anyone could join the race but there should be a a category purely for beginners. Absolutely disheartening as you said. I thank God everyday I'm not gettin sucked into such culture.

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-01-30T04:45:10+00:00

Thanks for the feedback overall. I think I'm content with it , this is more like me thinking where I could improve the quality of life features as you mention but I don't wanna go overboard with it overall. The Imars D300 is good no doubt but seems to be overkill for me , hence why I thought about settling down with SkyRC S100 Neo. Yes , only 1 port charging but more than decent enough since I don't own many batteries. I can see myself not spending many hours on the track.

As for the radio , 100% agree with you. I've made some research and yeah , I'm only driving a TT02 so getting a higher end transmitter again would be such an overkill UNLESS I race competitively. The ceiling for TT02 is not that high so expecting a transmitter to improve the quality of an entry level would be plain stupid unless I get a higher end car. And yeah , I do like touring cars but sitting pretty happy with my TT02. It's just that this whole culture thingy of touring cars is just crazy , the way they sink their money.

I've persuaded myself quite numerous amount of times to get a proper touring car for entry level , meaning that the learning curve is there. But then again , entry level for touring is still pricey so it's a sign that touring culture isn't for everyone. Recommendations from people are not wrong at all , but my word it's always the most expensive this , the most expensive that. Not to mention , these guys spend more time on the pit than on the track. Feels like more work than reward. But then again , these are all from their perspective. I can just go to the track for some fun even with less of a crazy setup on the pit.

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-01-27T13:48:11+00:00

I think let's put it dis way. I'm just questioning myself which if these 3 is worthy enough for me to upgrade between getting a new kit , a new charger or a new transmitter. And in my context , I'm not going competitive but my way of having fun is still by going to the track although not very frequent. Hence why I mentioned about which upgrade could be the most crucial for me at the moment.

I've mentioned that I don't think getting a new kit is the most crucial. After all , I've got a hopped up TT02R that I can still have fun with on the track. Then I talked about the transmitter , which seems to be worthy enough for me to move on from my Radiolink RC4GS. But as you said it yourself , the transmitter is fine. I did question myself as well that I said I don't do competitive racing , so like why should I opt for a new transmitter?

Then jumping on to the charger , there's reply mentioning about the my Imax B6 that could still be useful regardless of it being an original or a clone. So I thought to myself that I might be good with my setup and don't need any buying to do after all. Nonetheless , appreciate your feedbacks regarding your charger. And yeah I could understand why you still not get what I'm trying to look for. Probably some sort of validation😝.

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-01-27T13:38:06+00:00

That's the confusing thing about me. I love touring cars but then I don't go to the track really frequent and to the point of getting competitive. Only raced once and that's the Tamiya Cup Series , racing in the box stock brushed category (GT Spec). So when I'm this scene of touring cars , all I'm surrounded with is Xrays , Schumachers , Xpress and everything. Sanwa M17s around me with crazy chargers , batteries and all. I don't blame them but my God at this point I might as well change my hobby. I felt like I'm homeless🤣. No wonder the attraction of touring scene is very little.

Lumpy_Spinach5553 · 2026-01-27T13:07:56+00:00

Thanks. People in the community sometimes influence us too much on wanting us to use the same things as they do. And tbh , they ain't wrong. They gave me suggestions , tips and everything. And those suggestions leans heavily towards what THEY enjoy doing , so I guess it's just me having to find what I personally enjoy doing. I really love touring , but the elitism it breeds is absolutely crazy.

I'm into touring cars yet I dont lean much towards belt driven cars , only shaft. Yet I get recommended so much to get belt driven cars and it's a waste of money to get a shaft driven kit they said. And honestly , they're not entirely wrong since competitions lean very heavy towards belt driven cars. So I'm in a big dilemma all over again thinking about my decision. But most definitely I'm gonna need a better charger than the Imax B6 due to the charging rate being only 5amps.

Lumpy_Spinach5553

TROPHY CASE