Updated 8-6-09
Tamiya F103
"Ferrari 412T1"
set up "tips"I run out in the street in front of my house. you might not find this information useful for any other purpose.
Weight. What make this such a potent car is it's light weight. Exploit that. Ti screws everywhere. Carbon fiber chassis parts if you don't already have them. Carbon fiber driveshaft saves 3/4 ounce! Mini servo for steering.
Handling seems to benefit from the longer upper deck.
Hard springs in the front.
Ball type t-bar mounts. the o ring set up may have been functional, but was not optimal.
I upgraded to the formula car shock for the back, I believe it's the spring that came w/ the shock.
I usually run with slicks because......w/ foamies, it's so much faster than my buddies cars , they require less replacement. It can be drivable with the slicks but foamies are the ultimate super light weight, ultimate grip solution. I tend to get about 10-20 batteries per set, depending. figure accordingly.
But the key to the whole thing is the friction damper. tricky thing that.My kit, made around 1994, used a triple friction disc. If you haven't already disposed of the second, upper friction plate, it was more problem than function. The upper plate, mounted to the rear pod, was always coming loose.
Problems w/ the back end coming around? (excessively) Check for worn friction plates. The center hole wears out, not the friction surface. There should be no unregulated movement in the rear suspension.
Friction grease gets used up like tires and the right kind make a big difference. Too thick is no good for the street.( i can't use my silicon valve lube grease) nor does too thin seem to be good for this surface.
Given my interest in Alfa Romeos, my choice of this kit is a "no brainer", however problematic it has been in execution.I have every hop up possible offered by tamiya, and some others including a GTAm body.with wide flairs.
This car was almost dangerous. The kind of car where you cringe a little if it goes out of sight for a fraction of a second.
