Speed shop

Radio Control Car Action, Oct 2003

TEAM ORION

Orbital 2R Pro BB and Mach-Mod

Team Orion recently released updated versions of its Orbital machine-wound modified motors. Because it has world-championship TOP motor components, Orion claims that the Pro BB is comparable to its handwound counterparts. Stronger G12 magnets, dual ball bearings, adjustable timing, installed surface-mounted capacitors and bullet connectors are standard.

The less expensive Orbital 2R Mach-Mod combines the construction of the Pro BB with dual bushings instead of bearings and a fixed endbell. Both motors are available in many winds from 21-turn, single-wind up to 19-turn triple.

Orbital 2R Pro BB and Mach-Mod-item nos. vary with wind; $49.99 (Pro BB), $32 (Mach-Mod).

Team Orion Inc. (714) 694-2812; team-orion.com.

RACERS EDGE

CNC aluminum B4 parts

Although the Team Associated B4 buggy has been out only for a few months, there are already tons of factory and aftermarket parts available for it. Racers Edge will soon release a line of CNC-machined aluminum parts and accessories produced by Titan Tech for the venerable B4: a front hinge-pin brace, a front bulkhead, servo mounts, a heat-sink motor plate, a battery hold-down strap, wing mounts, and four rear hub carriers (0, 1/2, 1 and 1 1/2 degrees of toe-in). The hub carriers feature vertical ball stud mounting holes and a fourth "D" ball stud mounting position that is preferred by many top drivers. Racers Edge will also offer screw-type aluminum front axles that use button-head screws instead of locknuts to hold the rims. The parts shown here are prototypes, but the production pieces will be CNC-machined and hard-anodized.

Front axles-9405

Front hinge-pin brace-9410

Front bulkhead-9415

Servo mounts-9420

Battery hold-down Strap-9425

Motor plate-9430

Rear hub carrier 0, 1/2, 1, 1 1/2 degree-9435/9436/9437/9440 (prices not yet determined by manufacturer).

Racers Edge (801) 978-9501.

TAMIYA

TRF short damper-spring set

Lowering the ride height for on-road performance is a common practice for serious racing. Tamiya's new TRF short damper-spring set allows racers more tuning flexibility when they lower a car's ride height, and it expands setup options. The four spring rates available are color-coded for easy identification: red (soft), yellow (medium), blue (hard) and white (extra hard). TRF short damper-spring set-53630; $3.30.

Tamiya America Inc. (800) 826-4922; tamiyausa.com.

O'DONNELL

High-performance glow plugs

Many nitro racers use O'Donell's new high-performance glow plugs because they provide great performance and are extremely durable. Many report that these plugs continue to offer excellent performance even after they've been used with engines that have gone through three or more gallons of fuel. The 0D077 is a standard long plug with a medium heat range and is ideal for 1/10-scale, on-road and off-road applications. The 0D099 is a medium-length cold plug that works best for 1/8-scale, on-and-off-road cars and trucks. Slightly shorter versions with the same heat ranges are available to fit O.S. engines.

1/10-scale (long, medium heat range)-0D077 & 0D0770S; $5.99;

1/8-scale (medium, cold)-0D099 & 0D0990s; $5.99

DuraTrax/O'Donell; distributed by Great Planes Model Distributors (217) 398-6300; (800) 682-8948; duratrax.com.

XRAY

One-way differential set

If you enjoy racing an XRAY series touring car on a long, sweeping track, then XRAY's one-way diff is for you! Its halves are made of a lightweight alloy that has been machined to help reduce their weight. The diffs' special, spring steel adapters are hollow and feature an exclusive double-slot design. XRAY machines two, one-way bearings from INA in Germany to precisely fit its one-way diff. The lightened pulley has 34 teeth and is covered with special snap-on "side click-covers" that help protect the unit from debris.

One-way diff set-305100; $34,95.

XRAY; distributed by Serpent USA (305) 639-9665; teamxray.com.

RACERS EDGE

1/8-scale aluminum shock-shaft rod ends

These heavy-duty aluminum shock-shaft rod ends from Racers Edge are manufactured by Titan Tech and CNC-machined from aircraft-grade aluminum and hard-anodized. They are available to fit both 3 and 3.5mm shocks and have special counterbores that are designed to strengthen the shock shafts when they're installed; the balls will never slip out of their sockets and the ends won't strip. Team Kyosho driver Greg Degani used them when he won the IFMAR World Championship.

Aluminum rod ends-7530 (3mm), 7535 (3.5mm); pricing not available.

Racers Edge (801) 978-9501.

FIORONI

Option Team foam air filter elements

In addition to its popular standard 2-stage foam air-filter element (OT-SF01), Fioroni has developed a ribbed 1/8-scale foam air filter element with more surface area to increase airflow to the engine. They fit the Fioroni aluminum air filter (0T-92304) and GS/Kyosho 21 air filters. Air filter foam-0T-SF02 (fits Fioroni), 0T-SF03 (fits GS/Kyosho .21 engines); $7.99/each.

Fioroni Option Team; distributed by General Silicones Group Inc. (626) 338-3815; generalsilicones.com.