i've been running both of my two 3 cell Yokomo Puch Maru's the last couple of days and noticed that my newer one, the Toyota wasn't running anywhere near as long or as fast as the Red Honda van. while it was still pretty fast, it just didn't have the super fast punch, acceleration and top end of the first one. at first i though that it might just be a case of cycling the battery pack, or it's internal resistance, but if i picked up each car and listened to the motor's whine, they sounded like they had the exact same pitch/rpm. the red Honda is also getting 25+ minutes of run time and my silver Toyota was only getting 15 minutes! everytime i'd drive the red Honda, it would blow me away.
i also tried switching the bodies between the two but didn't change a thing (i didn't expect it to as they weigh the same and aerodynamics don't enter into the equation). one of the only obvious mechanical differences that i noticed is that the differential is alot smoother in the Toyota, but this would make it corner better and shouldn't effect it's speed or run times.
well i finally figured it out, somewhat by chance............
since i really like the appearance of the 5 spoke Dub rims alot better than the MS ones, i picked up another set this evening to modify and mount on the Toyota. once modified, they also fit the ZZ tires alot better than MS rims do. so, i installed them and test drove it on a charge that i did this morning (9 hours ago). i expected the car to feel alittle sluggish as the cells weren't re-peaked. boy was i wrong! this thing hauls ass! and it's run time was now 25+ minutes too!
what i have determined is that, although what might seem to be almost negligible, the performance difference lies in the weight difference between the two wheelsets!
the front MS wheels, with tires, with my stainless steel insert to adapt them to the Yokomo's smaller axles weigh .42 grams ea. and the rears which i filled and redrilled (w/o a SS insert) also weigh .42 grams ea. the Dub wheels weigh only .20 grams ea. for the front and only .22 grams ea. for the rears, thus making them weigh approx half as much as the MS wheels. they don't require an insert as the holes are already the correct size. they did however, require that i make a raised band in the center of the rim to secure the tires, which i did by cutting a groove and gluing a very thin rubber o-ring into it. the results are that the new lighter Dub wheels have made the car go from fast, to very, very fast. and as unbelievable as it may seem, i estimate it to be a speed increase of 20-30%.
now my two Puchi's are exactly matched and are the "micro's to be reckoned with" in my collection.
btw, i just talked to Yokomo today, and they're sending me out a silver Honda Fit (van) body, since they replaced my first one with the silver Toyota by mistake 9which i think looks a bit goofy). they have excellent product support should anyone consider getting one of these.
1. yes they are the set one if i remember correctly, its $4.99 (USD) for 8 hubs. theres a 5 spook, and 6 spook. there are some that have larger dimensions and some that have smaller dimensions so be careful when you buy them!. you can get some at hobby people.
2. you only need the stainless steel inserts for the BCG rims. i would suggest that you get the Jada Dub City instead of the BCG, because the BCG rims slow down the car, and shorten the run time. but if you are going to do the BCG rims mod ask johnk of MRRC for more info, for i have not done this mod my self.
3. for the Jada Dubs City you do not need to compensate for the diameter difference, these rims fit on perfectly.
4. i did not weight the wheels, this info is from johnk of MRRC
hope this helps!
edit heres a quote as well from MRRC
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they're the Jada Dub wheels alright. good eye i had to get two sizes to make fronts and rears.
the wheel wells just fit without any trimming at all. Bit tires in the rear would've rubbed, but the ZZ tires are a little thinner and lower profile, so although it'svery close, they don't touch the body at all.
i think that i will enter it in the COM contest as you suggest as i think that the Puchi's could use more exposure.
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i got mine at hobbypeople. each truck kit came with 8 wheels for $4.99. you get a die cast metal body & chassis, w/interior and four 5 spoke and four 6 spoke rims. one kit came with the larger diameter wheels and the other came with the smaller ones. i needed both sizes for the front and rear, so i obviously got two of them.
the wheels are by no means a direct retrofit and require modification to make them work. and the tires are to hard for use on an rc car. the holes are smaller than a Bit's and you have to modify the wheel to accept a tire so it won't slip off by adding a raised section (band) in the center of the wheel just like a bit's rim.
On your mod, (disregard if you have already answered this) do you just pull off the old ones and epoxy the new ones on? I know you have to mod them to add a raised center, but as far as fit, do you just push them on and wait for them to dry, or something?
It's just a press fit onto the axle, like the rear of a Bit. BTW the Puchi's front axles are not knurled (if you've taken apart a BCG rear axle, its those bumps on the end) but the rear ones are. so when your taking the rear ones off just turn them a bit and they should come off easily
so yeah you just push them in and they should be fine...... but if you want to make sure that there on properly and wont wobble (namuna taking notes on this?? ) use some epoxy or super glue for asecure fit.
If this thing has as much torque as you say, then epoxy would be a must.(I would speculate) I have twisted the rear wheels off the axles of my 3cell Zaps on several occasions. Can the 3cell Pooch pull wheelies? Probably not because it appears rather centrally weighted. Wheelies are not important anyway, just wondered. Not good to do a wheelie in the middle of a race, eh?
no you cannot pull wheelies because there is not alot of clearence with the puchi....... yeah i wouldnt pull a wheelie in the middle of a race though......... just incase the guy behind you hits you ........ LOL
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