What bodyshell for M05 Pro?

While waiting for the M05 Pro kit to be in my hands, I have been looking around for a new bodyshell since the Pro kit doesn't include one.

I really wanted this HPI Honda Civic and it is also one of my favourite FF cars.


This Alfa Romeo from Team Atlas looks pretty cool as well:


Honestly, it is quite boring to see a sea of Suzuki Swifts each time we are playing M03s... *yawnzzzz*

The Itch to Build New Kit

Its been a while since I build any new kit. I have been feeling the itch these few days particularly after viewing all the build threads regarding Tamiya's new F104 Pro. I have been wanting to get this kit to add to my collection and most likely its going to be a shelf queen.

However, priority will still be the M05 Pro. When will it be release and when can I build a new car???

The cause for the itch is also there is a Gundam fair in the mall which I usually frequent and those kit really look tempting!!

NEED TO BE STRONG TO RESIST THE TEMPTATION!!! hahaha...

It's been a while...

Its been a while since I fully run the TRF 416WE after nearby track was demolished and moved to a further place.

Nonetheless,I have been quite consistent running the M03. Its one tough car and its a joy to run it!!

Had my sight on M05 Pro now and still waiting...

Orca 4000 20C lipo review Part 2

After 4 runs on the Orca 4000mAh 20C lipo, I feel its crap! The punch is really poor but it did feel that it last longer. Anyway, I want more PUNCH in the lipo. Honestly, I dont think the pack is 20C at all. Even my Yeah Racing 3200 20C gives better punch than the Orca. Should have stick to Yeah lipos all the way...

TRF416 1st run with IP 3800 lipo

Had my 416 first run this afternoon. One word - WOW!. The car has a lot of grip and steering even with a spool. I was using old set of tires but the car still sticks to the ground. Rear diff was really smooth and acceleration was great.

The IP 3800 was very punchy and may perhaps live up to its 35C claim. Only thing is that I have not added weights to the pack which causes the car's balance to be off during corners. I will be designing a lipo weight pack and check whether a friend of mine is able to machine it for me :)

Intellect IP 3800mAh 35C LiPo

Got this new Intellect IP 3800 35C lipo pack to power my TRF416. It is hard casing with 21mm height and comes with deans plugs. Will see how it performs soon.

Projecto TRF416 WE completed!!

Finaly completed my TRF416 WE. Very excited and cant wait to test it at the track.

Here are some pics of it.











The electronics: Futaba 9550, Tekin RS Pro, Hacker 11.5 BL motor, Spektrum mico rx and still got a lot of space left! :)


Got a new lipo Intellect IP 3800mAh 35C to power the 416. Going to test it later and see whether it live up to the 35C claim.

Pangkor Trip (Dec'08) with BB Boys

Had a blast in Pangkor island with my high school mates... spent 2 full days of chilling and pigging out. Worst part was I was down with a cold so missed out the booze session with the guys. Nonetheless, it was one heck of a trip and a great gathering.

Projecto TRF416 World's Edition (Part 1)

Finally laid my hands on the TRF416 WE!





Had a very busy week while building the car. Preparing the carbon fiber parts is really a looong process but the end results is worthy. Assembly tolerance is really tight and ended up some parts binding especially on the lower arms but not a biggie with some sanding work.

Rear diff with JAAD ceramic balls, ceramic thrust bearings and diff covers


Front spool


Still work in progress...

Orca Lipo 4000mAh 20C (Stick Pack) Review

My VXR 3600mAh has bloated up a little and the charge is less than 60% of the pack. I should be disposing the pack now but stubbornly using it. I am storing and charging it in the LiPoSack.

After some research and comparison, I purchased the Orca 4000mAh 20C stick pack configuration for my M03. It comes with Tamiya plugs, 12 AWG wires and some Orca stickers. It is a soft pack but I was hoping it would be a hard lexan - I was wrong! The lipo is not packed to the brim with some air gap between the cells inside and the soft casing. I really doubt this is a 4000 pack. :(

If I have time, I will cycle it and give it a full charge to see its actual capacity. Testing will be done this Sunday at the track and will compare with my current Yeah 3200mAh 20C pack.

Here are some pictures of the Orca pack

Xray T2R gone...

Finally sold my Xray T2R after posting it up for months. Out goes the old and still waiting for the new! Jeez... the wait is terrible!

M03 Setup Guide

Excellent guide for setting up a M03.

Now I feel like ripping up my M03 and rebuilding it...

TRF416 World's Edition

I want it!! Badly!!!! Supposedly available in my LHS in 2wks but I still doubt his words. Hehe~~



Marc Rheinard's winning TRF416



Source: Redrc.net (where else? :))

M03 Swift

I think I got my M03 setup nicely now. It has stopped traction rolling and I feel more confident thru the corners now.

Things that I have done to make it handle better and faster:
1) universal joints - the car is much smoother and faster thru the corners
2) ball diff - felt more traction and acceleration exiting corner
3) heat sink - thanks my Adrian bro who CNC-ed a anodized blue heat sink! Well, I dont think it helps much in heat dissipation. But, hell yeah it does looks cooler!
4) TRF shocks - good shock travel length thanks to Ben
5) Weights - tonnes of it! Car stopped traction rolling mainly due to added weights.

However, Swift still rolls a lot thru corners due to a lot of droop. Next hop up will be short springs which I tried and it works to great effect of reducing droop and roll.

Marc Rheinard World Champion!