THE MASTER PLAN
It seems that Tamiya makes their famed blue anodized aluminum parts to replace just about every major component of the TD4. Everything from steering components like the steering bridge, steering arms, and crank arm are furnished in their trademark blue aluminum. These hop up parts even come with smooth rolling bearings preinstalled in them too. Other parts such as aluminum servo stays and steel universal shafts are available too. We decided to snap up every part that Tamiya USA offered on their website.
The non-factory parts that we planned to use included a Xerun XR10 brushless motor and ESC combo from Hobbywing. This power plant set up would immediately increase the Super Avante’s top speed and acceleration. We also wanted to increase the TD4’S steering response with a Reefs RC 299:LP racing servo. The TD4 chassis requires a low profile servo and the Reefs RC unit fits the
bill. With a casing height that fits the chassis perfectly, the metalgeared servo is capable of 299 ounces of torque and smooth and quick operation.
HOP UPS GALORE
We started our upgrades in the front end of the chassis by installing the upgraded steering components.
The Super Avante features a unique in-board front suspension set up so we went ahead and installed a few suspension upgrades as well. Tamiya’s TD4 aluminum rocker arms contribute to improved suspension feel. Compared to the standard plastic parts, these parts have less flex and contribute to more direct feel from the suspension. The Reefs RC servo fit like a glove on the blue aluminum servo stays. We also installed a Tamiya aluminum adjustable servo horn. This horn allows for finetuning the chassis’ steering geometry.
Once we saw Tamiya’s big bore aeration dampers, we had to grab them. We really like these big bore shocks because they carry more oil in them and are butter smooth in their actuation. One thing we failed to notice is that the shocks don’t come with springs and Tamiya USA didn’t have them in stock. When we looked up the springs on ebay, we found that they are selling for about $60 per set for the fronts and the rears. $120 for springs is a bit much so we found an alternative. Team Associated 12mm big bore springs for the B6 and B64 springs fit perfectly and at about $8 a pair, we decided to go that route instead. With the front end complete, we moved on to the other hop ups.
HICCUPS
If you recall, our original assessment of the Super Avante mentioned that we had a challenging time building
the kit. We have to report that upgrading the buggy was no different. While most parts went on without a hitch, others were a challenge or in this case, not possible. When we looked to install the Hobbywing Xerun XR10 brushless motor, we realized that the clearance for the motor was really tight. The XR10’S “piggyback” position motor terminals would not clear the tight confines of the motor cavity. After an hour of trying to get it to somehow fit, we backed off and decided to reinstall the Tamiya Sport Tuned brushed motor we had in it originally. Because of that, the ESC remained unchanged as well. We have since learned that a brushless motor with wire terminals that stick out the end of the motor would allow it to fit.
We’ll have to save this upgrade for another time.
THE BACKEND
While we had the rear end apart, we installed a Tamiya TD4 slipper clutch as well as a differential nut and screw set. Both of these hop ups greatly increase the TD4’S drivetrain performance. The slipper clutch protects your drivetrain from overload but also adjusts traction during acceleration. Another detail we didn’t anticipate was the need for a 48P pinion gear to interface with the clutch’s new top gear, as the stock pinion gear doesn’t work with it.
We also installed universal drive shafts to replace the traditional dog bones. These drive shafts are used for more efficient power transmission to the wheels. As with the frontend, we also installed a pair of Tamiya big bore aeration dampers with Team Associated 12mm big bore springs in the rear. We captured the rear suspension parts with Tamiya’s TD4 aluminum rear suspension mount. This upgraded rear suspension mount replaces the standard plastic part with an aluminum version that includes finer tuning settings.
A NEW LOOK
Since we completely refreshed the Super Avante performance wise, it made sense to give it a new look
too. Since we first saw the buggy, we immediately thought that its cigar shape looked reminiscent of a 1960’s era F1 or Indy car. To that end, we painted up a body in a livery that is inspired by Honda’s Ra-series F1 cars from the mid to late 1960s using Tamiya Color spray paint. The simple white color scheme look seemed right for such an advanced looking car.
Tamiya’s optional clear body set comes with everything you need to complete the Super Avante body. Those familiar with the Super Avante will know that the body is pretty intricate, requiring many add ons such as screws, nuts, o-rings and tape. These parts are all included as well as a driver figure and decal sheet.
To make it look more like an F1 car from that timeframe, we decided to leave the Super Avante’s fenders and rear wing clear to give it a transparent, almost not there, look. Since open wheel racecars of the time didn’t have rear wings or fenders, we thought this look was appropriate for the theme. The body was completed with decals from MCI Racing as well as Mr. Hop-up. We also swapped the stock neon yellow wheels with dark grey colored ones from the Tamiya Aero Avante.
ON TRACK
With the Super Avante upgraded, we hit a local dirt track to see what it could do. As expected, the buggy handled predictably and its larger big bore shocks soaked up the bumps and allowed it to glide over the terrain smoothly. The steering components, Reefs RC servo and suspension upgrades combined to make the buggy turn razor sharp and handle jumps with ease. There are so many ways to fine-tune the buggy that we’ll be trying different settings for a long time to come. It was great fun to drive.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Achieving most of the goals we set out to accomplish, we’d say that the hop ups that we installed on the Super Avante has made it an even more nimble, fine-tunable, robust buggy that looks mighty sharp on the track. We are looking forward to getting a brushless motor and ESC set up in the near future to see just how fast the Super Avante can go. In the meantime, we’ll still be having fun driving it wherever and whenever we can.
Source:
Tamiya America tamiyausa.com