Nitro Rustler Handling

[mike]

Howdy guys, wondering if anyone out there has some tips for setting up a
nitro ST. Mine is a Nitro Rustler. Its running great, but comparing to my
old Inferno, I'm finding it super hard to drive. I'm mostly on a dusty hard
track.



Problem 1:

The front end seems to just pogo up and down whenever there is any speed on.



Problem 2:

The problem other is rear end traction - the slightest application of
throttle lights the back up and it just wants to swap ends. I've already
replaced the stock rears with Dirt Hawgs which has made a small improvement.



Coming down the main straight the back is just spinning up wildly and
threatening to step out. While this is happening, the front end is only
alternately touching the ground, so it is damn near impossible - wild over
corrections all the time.



I've considered moving the battery pack to the front shock tower to keep the
front down, but I think that would further decrease rear traction even more?



I realise that this is not XXX-NT or RC10GT, but I think I should be able to
get at least SOME improvement.



So, grateful for any suggestions, ideas, replacements etc etc - let me know
what you think!



Mike

[Rob R]

Hey mike, I just got to see two new rustler with the 2.5 motors run at
my home track and i noticed the same problem you are having. For one
thing it looks like they have street tires on the front. Keep them for
street tires and try Proline edge tires for the front m1 compound. Also
i noticed that they had lots of power down the straight making the front
leave the ground only advice i can see is loosen the slipper clutch or
let of the throttle or you could buy lead weight at a hobby shop and
stick them in the front. Also try Proline bowties in the rear they are
good in any clay.
Rob

[Jack Conley]

the only thing i can really say is that a 1/8 buggy is no comparison for a
1/10 nitro st. the stadium trucks will always be a little wild and
considerably harder to control than a 4wd buggy. however, this should not be
so extreme that you can't handle it. loosen the slipper clutch a little bit
but not too much or you'll burn it up and just keep feathering the throttle.
you'll get better with practice. my rc10gt has similar problems but not too
bad that i can't handle it. also, check to see if you can make the wheelbase
any longer. mine had spacers in front of the rear hubs that you could move
to the front or back to change the wheelbase. a longer wheelbase will be
more stable and increase steering. i also had to had some weights to my
front end to keep it planted. hope this helps.

jack
"mike netspace.net.au>" <transam@<REMOVETHISINCLUDINGBRACKETS> wrote in
message news:4185a492$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> Howdy guys, wondering if anyone out there has some tips for setting up a
> nitro ST. Mine is a Nitro Rustler. Its running great, but comparing to my
> old Inferno, I'm finding it super hard to drive. I'm mostly on a dusty
> hard
> track.
>
>
>
> Problem 1:
>
> The front end seems to just pogo up and down whenever there is any speed
> on.
>
>
>
> Problem 2:
>
> The problem other is rear end traction - the slightest application of
> throttle lights the back up and it just wants to swap ends. I've already
> replaced the stock rears with Dirt Hawgs which has made a small
> improvement.
>
>
>
> Coming down the main straight the back is just spinning up wildly and
> threatening to step out. While this is happening, the front end is only
> alternately touching the ground, so it is damn near impossible - wild over
> corrections all the time.
>
>
>
> I've considered moving the battery pack to the front shock tower to keep
> the
> front down, but I think that would further decrease rear traction even
> more?
>
>
>
> I realise that this is not XXX-NT or RC10GT, but I think I should be able
> to
> get at least SOME improvement.
>
>
>
> So, grateful for any suggestions, ideas, replacements etc etc - let me
> know
> what you think!
>
>
>
> Mike
>
>


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[M78Ultra]

As far as the tires...
The Dirt Hawgs are a good all round multi surface tire, but have limited
traction.
Try some Gladiator 2 tires for offroad surfaces.
I was well pleased with them and they lasted way longer than any type of
step-pin tire.
You can also try some different suspension settings.

"mike netspace.net.au>" <transam@<REMOVETHISINCLUDINGBRACKETS> wrote in
message news:4185a492$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> Howdy guys, wondering if anyone out there has some tips for setting up a
> nitro ST. Mine is a Nitro Rustler. Its running great, but comparing to my
> old Inferno, I'm finding it super hard to drive. I'm mostly on a dusty
hard
> track.
>
>
>
> Problem 1:
>
> The front end seems to just pogo up and down whenever there is any speed
on.
>
>
>
> Problem 2:
>
> The problem other is rear end traction - the slightest application of
> throttle lights the back up and it just wants to swap ends. I've already
> replaced the stock rears with Dirt Hawgs which has made a small
improvement.
>
>
>
> Coming down the main straight the back is just spinning up wildly and
> threatening to step out. While this is happening, the front end is only
> alternately touching the ground, so it is damn near impossible - wild over
> corrections all the time.
>
>
>
> I've considered moving the battery pack to the front shock tower to keep
the
> front down, but I think that would further decrease rear traction even
more?
>
>
>
> I realise that this is not XXX-NT or RC10GT, but I think I should be able
to
> get at least SOME improvement.
>
>
>
> So, grateful for any suggestions, ideas, replacements etc etc - let me
know
> what you think!
>
>
>
> Mike
>
>

[Justin Mahn]

See inline

mike <transam@ wrote:

> Howdy guys, wondering if anyone out there has some tips for setting up a
> nitro ST. Mine is a Nitro Rustler. Its running great, but comparing to my
> old Inferno, I'm finding it super hard to drive. I'm mostly on a dusty hard
> track.
>
>
>
> Problem 1:
>
> The front end seems to just pogo up and down whenever there is any speed on.
>

The Nitro Rustler with the Traxxas 2.5 is way overpowerd. You will lift
the front end on acceleration no matter what you do. Letting out the
slipper can help, but don't let it out too far or else you will burn it
up. Also you can try putting slightly lighter shock oil in the front to
get better traction. I'd say maybe 30wt.

>
>
> Problem 2:
>
> The problem other is rear end traction - the slightest application of
> throttle lights the back up and it just wants to swap ends. I've already
> replaced the stock rears with Dirt Hawgs which has made a small improvement.
>
>

I'd look into getting track specific tires, and then loosen up the ball
differential just a hair. If you have a gear differential then this is
not an issue, and make sure that your slipper is looser than your ball
differential. When you turn the wheels and hold the spur gear, you
should be able to see the slipper clutch turning.

>
> Coming down the main straight the back is just spinning up wildly and
> threatening to step out. While this is happening, the front end is only
> alternately touching the ground, so it is damn near impossible - wild over
> corrections all the time.
>

'Tis the nature of the beast. You can help this by running a slight
toe-in, maybe at 1 degree or so.

>
>
> I've considered moving the battery pack to the front shock tower to keep the
> front down, but I think that would further decrease rear traction even more?
>

Yes. Traction will follow the weight when you shift your weight forward.

>
>
> I realise that this is not XXX-NT or RC10GT, but I think I should be able to
> get at least SOME improvement.
>
>
>
> So, grateful for any suggestions, ideas, replacements etc etc - let me know
> what you think!
>
>
>
> Mike
>
>

Also, I've rebutted another reply to your question.


Justin

[Justin Mahn]

See inline

Jack Conley wrote:

> the only thing i can really say is that a 1/8 buggy is no comparison for a
> 1/10 nitro st. the stadium trucks will always be a little wild and
> considerably harder to control than a 4wd buggy.

Agreed. ST's are also easier to maintain and are more fuel efficient.

however, this should not be
> so extreme that you can't handle it. loosen the slipper clutch a little bit
> but not too much or you'll burn it up and just keep feathering the throttle.
> you'll get better with practice.

All good advice.

my rc10gt has similar problems but not too
> bad that i can't handle it. also, check to see if you can make the wheelbase
> any longer. mine had spacers in front of the rear hubs that you could move
> to the front or back to change the wheelbase. a longer wheelbase will be
> more stable and increase steering.

I'd go against this, because one big problem is no rear traction.
Moving the rear axles back will shift weight forward and make the
fishtailing even worse.


i also had to had some weights to my
> front end to keep it planted. hope this helps.
>

Ditto, for the same reasons.


Justin

> jack
> "mike netspace.net.au>" <transam@<REMOVETHISINCLUDINGBRACKETS> wrote in
> message news:4185a492$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
>

[mike]

Thanks guys, plenty of good ideas there!


"mike netspace.net.au>" <transam@<REMOVETHISINCLUDINGBRACKETS> wrote in
message news:4185a492$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> Howdy guys, wondering if anyone out there has some tips for setting up a
> nitro ST. Mine is a Nitro Rustler. Its running great, but comparing to my
> old Inferno, I'm finding it super hard to drive. I'm mostly on a dusty
hard
> track.
>
>
>
> Problem 1:
>
> The front end seems to just pogo up and down whenever there is any speed
on.
>
>
>
> Problem 2:
>
> The problem other is rear end traction - the slightest application of
> throttle lights the back up and it just wants to swap ends. I've already
> replaced the stock rears with Dirt Hawgs which has made a small
improvement.
>
>
>
> Coming down the main straight the back is just spinning up wildly and
> threatening to step out. While this is happening, the front end is only
> alternately touching the ground, so it is damn near impossible - wild over
> corrections all the time.
>
>
>
> I've considered moving the battery pack to the front shock tower to keep
the
> front down, but I think that would further decrease rear traction even
more?
>
>
>
> I realise that this is not XXX-NT or RC10GT, but I think I should be able
to
> get at least SOME improvement.
>
>
>
> So, grateful for any suggestions, ideas, replacements etc etc - let me
know
> what you think!
>
>
>
> Mike
>
>