Disclosure: This thread will be pic and text heavy.
Recently I was looking at a new RC project but just about everything that I was considering was simply leaving me with that "meh" feeling... mainly due to everything being just another RC vehicle that anyone/ everyone could build/ buy or has done so already... crawlers, rally cars, etc... nothing spoke to me. And then it hit me... why not try to resurrect the car that for me, started it all? I did a ton of research to see what I might be getting into with a long-since discontinued stadium truck and although I knew I'd have some challenges, limitations, and frustrations, I just couldn't get it out of my head. The seed was planted and I knew that this was what I was looking for... a project built upon passion and nostalgia... a true sentimental journey.
I won't go into too much detail about the Associated RC10 GT but I had three versions... the original tub chassis kit that originated in 1993, the upgraded plate-chassis in RTR, and the upgraded Factory Team kit (production year 2000). IMO the best platform was the shorter/ wider RTR chassis and I still kick myself that I didn't hold on to that one as well as my tub-chassis kit. The tub chassis was thinner and prone to bending and although the upgraded plate chassis was more robust, I did manage to bend one of those too. The shorter RTR chassis seemed to be the most stout in my experience.
Anyway... What I have left is a bunch of old nitro/ RC10 GT parts... both factory as well as aftermarket and even some hand-made/ upgraded parts and pieces. Once I started digging everything out and doing a basic inventory, I felt that I had the makings of one more RC10 GT... to relive those nitro days that gave me such enthusiasm and excitement. Yep... I haven't forgotten the hassles of breaking-in and tuning a nitro carburetor, or the blisters from so much pull-starting, or the mess from the fuel and grease. But again... this project just spoke to me in a way that nothing else has in a long long time.
SO... let's get going!
After inspecting and tearing apart all my old engines ( an OS .12 CV, an OS .15 CV, a Thunder Tiger .15, and a Traxxas TRX 2.5) I realized that since nitro engines are still in production, purchasing a new engine made the most sense. 25 years of nitro varnish is just not worth a rebuild. And even with a ton of parts on hand, there would be a host of other parts/ accessories that I would need along with the new engine.
Regarding servos- As many servos as I have on hand... including some old Futaba S3003s and S9405s, and an Airtronics 94737 ( originally on one or more of my RC10 GT's), I wanted a pair of servos that matched, were new, and that would accentuate the build in some way so of course I had to go with Reedy. Not their best but enough speed and torque to get the job done and a definite upgrade over anything 20+ yrs old.
The 'meat & potatoes' parts list:
Team Associated RC10T body. Not sure how well this will fit but it should work one way or another.
Traxxas TRX Pro .15. short crank PS. Blasphemy! But it didn't break the bank and should be a good choice for this platform.
Reedy 2513 MG digital hi-speed metal gear servos.
LRP XTEC 5-cell 6.0v NiMH hump pack RX 1600 mah.
Fast Eddy complete RC10 GT sealed bearing kit.
Team KNK complete stainless hardware kit.
There will be more hardware coming from McMaster Carr and possibly some other asst hardware when I get into this project deeper. But for now this will get me rolling. And as anybody knows from reading my 8-32 thread, some hardware can be quite difficult to find lol. Other things on the way, or nor yet ordered are things like fuel, fuel tubing, fuel bottle, glow plugs, glow igniter, decals, paint, and depending on where I decide to go with all of this... maybe a new TX/ RX. I may use a radio/ receiver that I already have... just not sure yet.
Upon disassembly of all components, everything gets thoroughly inspected and then either retired & bagged, cleaned & reused, or replaced. Also, certain parts and hardware will be upgraded as I go. What can be or must be reused will, and almost everything will be saved whether used or not. I've already had to slot a total of six screws that were seized up and/ or that had stripped heads... four button head engine mount screws ( black oxide 2mm hex) and two nose-brace mounting screws ( stainless 1/16 hex). Slotting the 1/16 screws was quite painstaking as they were too small to for a cut-off wheel and instead had to be slotted with a tiny engraving bit lol.
Alright... first images and it ain't pretty!
And finally... ready to rock-n-roll!
Recently I was looking at a new RC project but just about everything that I was considering was simply leaving me with that "meh" feeling... mainly due to everything being just another RC vehicle that anyone/ everyone could build/ buy or has done so already... crawlers, rally cars, etc... nothing spoke to me. And then it hit me... why not try to resurrect the car that for me, started it all? I did a ton of research to see what I might be getting into with a long-since discontinued stadium truck and although I knew I'd have some challenges, limitations, and frustrations, I just couldn't get it out of my head. The seed was planted and I knew that this was what I was looking for... a project built upon passion and nostalgia... a true sentimental journey.
I won't go into too much detail about the Associated RC10 GT but I had three versions... the original tub chassis kit that originated in 1993, the upgraded plate-chassis in RTR, and the upgraded Factory Team kit (production year 2000). IMO the best platform was the shorter/ wider RTR chassis and I still kick myself that I didn't hold on to that one as well as my tub-chassis kit. The tub chassis was thinner and prone to bending and although the upgraded plate chassis was more robust, I did manage to bend one of those too. The shorter RTR chassis seemed to be the most stout in my experience.
Anyway... What I have left is a bunch of old nitro/ RC10 GT parts... both factory as well as aftermarket and even some hand-made/ upgraded parts and pieces. Once I started digging everything out and doing a basic inventory, I felt that I had the makings of one more RC10 GT... to relive those nitro days that gave me such enthusiasm and excitement. Yep... I haven't forgotten the hassles of breaking-in and tuning a nitro carburetor, or the blisters from so much pull-starting, or the mess from the fuel and grease. But again... this project just spoke to me in a way that nothing else has in a long long time.
SO... let's get going!
After inspecting and tearing apart all my old engines ( an OS .12 CV, an OS .15 CV, a Thunder Tiger .15, and a Traxxas TRX 2.5) I realized that since nitro engines are still in production, purchasing a new engine made the most sense. 25 years of nitro varnish is just not worth a rebuild. And even with a ton of parts on hand, there would be a host of other parts/ accessories that I would need along with the new engine.
Regarding servos- As many servos as I have on hand... including some old Futaba S3003s and S9405s, and an Airtronics 94737 ( originally on one or more of my RC10 GT's), I wanted a pair of servos that matched, were new, and that would accentuate the build in some way so of course I had to go with Reedy. Not their best but enough speed and torque to get the job done and a definite upgrade over anything 20+ yrs old.
The 'meat & potatoes' parts list:
Team Associated RC10T body. Not sure how well this will fit but it should work one way or another.
Traxxas TRX Pro .15. short crank PS. Blasphemy! But it didn't break the bank and should be a good choice for this platform.
Reedy 2513 MG digital hi-speed metal gear servos.
LRP XTEC 5-cell 6.0v NiMH hump pack RX 1600 mah.
Fast Eddy complete RC10 GT sealed bearing kit.
Team KNK complete stainless hardware kit.
There will be more hardware coming from McMaster Carr and possibly some other asst hardware when I get into this project deeper. But for now this will get me rolling. And as anybody knows from reading my 8-32 thread, some hardware can be quite difficult to find lol. Other things on the way, or nor yet ordered are things like fuel, fuel tubing, fuel bottle, glow plugs, glow igniter, decals, paint, and depending on where I decide to go with all of this... maybe a new TX/ RX. I may use a radio/ receiver that I already have... just not sure yet.
Upon disassembly of all components, everything gets thoroughly inspected and then either retired & bagged, cleaned & reused, or replaced. Also, certain parts and hardware will be upgraded as I go. What can be or must be reused will, and almost everything will be saved whether used or not. I've already had to slot a total of six screws that were seized up and/ or that had stripped heads... four button head engine mount screws ( black oxide 2mm hex) and two nose-brace mounting screws ( stainless 1/16 hex). Slotting the 1/16 screws was quite painstaking as they were too small to for a cut-off wheel and instead had to be slotted with a tiny engraving bit lol.
Alright... first images and it ain't pretty!
And finally... ready to rock-n-roll!
