LRP S10 Blast - The underrated kit

[Nicadraus]

So I got this kit last November and decided to convert it into a proper 4WD rally car since I already have an FF rally car.

Here is the stock car when it arrived.

Box stock have these:
-carbon reinforced main tub chassis
-all metal gears including differential planetary
-full ball bearing except for steering. All bearing are same size of Tamiya
-aluminum adjustable motor mount
-aluminum center shaft
-aluminum chassis posts
-aluminum suspension blocks
-universal front shafts
-steel rear dog bone shaft
-steel outdrive cups (front and rear)
-60mm big bore aluminum dampers (hard springs)
-mounted tires on wheels
-urethane bumper
-waterproof casing for electronics

 

[Nicadraus]

As the title says "underrated", I decided to give this kit some improvements.

Here are the modification and changes:

-replaced stock bushing of steering to 850 size bearings
-changed the ball studs and ball cap ends to Tamiya
-all aluminum (blue) turnbuckles (upper suspension and steering)
-fabricated top deck from 3mm carbon fiber board (DIY cutting and drilling using Dremel)
-fabricated battery holder from 3mm carbon fiber board (DIY cutting and drilling using Dremel)
-rebuild both diffs as they have binding and replaced lubrication with 200k oil front, and 20k oil rear.
-replaced stock 60mm shock with YR 60mm Shock Gear and replaced shaft end to extend another 5mm
-aluminum front knuckles and C-Hubs (both ZD Racing). No more lose play.
-replaced rear body post to Tamiya (extra frm my FF) to accommodate hatch bodies)
-Replaced plastic hex hubs to aluminum (ZD Racing)
-replaced stock servo mount to aluminum (ZD Racing)

Here it is now.

with my friend's stock S10

The Tamiya ball studs and ball caps have made such big improvements from the stock ones. Steering bearings also made it better. The cf top deck reduced chassis flexing by 80-85% because the stock plastic top deck was too flexible. The dampers have also played a big part in rallying set up.

I have build two Tamiya TT-02 kits for my cousins, one for on-road and another one converted to rally, Both have slightly been upgraded. In my opinion and observation, I should say that the S10 is so much better than the TT-02 kits in terms of sturdiness and build. Performance wise, it's stable and very responsive after the modifications*.. A lot cheaper too.

My modified S10 only costs total of $130 (excluding electronics).

 

[Nicadraus]

 

[OSRC]

Looks great! Definitely a kit you don't hear much about.

Doesn't take much to leapfrog a TT02, they are a sloppy design imo. Mine never handled right compared to my other cars. Great bodies though.

 

[Nicadraus]

Looks great! Definitely a kit you don't hear much about.

Doesn't take much to leapfrog a TT02, they are a sloppy design imo. Mine never handled right compared to my other cars. Great bodies though.

I did some mods with this like shaving some areas inside the rear gearbox case and replacing the top deck with carbon fiber. Those were big improvements. The ball studs and ball cap ends also allowed the suspension and steering move freely as the stock ones have a lot of binding in them. The result of these simple mods is such a big improvement in performance. I have built two TT-02 kits last year and this S10 is by far a better kit than its Tamiya counterpart.

 

[meatmonkey]

Is it just me or is thing a dead ringer for an Associated TC4?

Seems like a good value if it holds up. So how's it doing?

 

[Nicadraus]

Is it just me or is thing a dead ringer for an Associated TC4?

Seems like a good value if it holds up. So how's it doing?

It's a sweet runner. I tried locking the front diff with a tack. It works and performs better. So I ordered a spool for it.

Here she is currently

 

[Gula]

Are you sure the spur gear/pinion aren't going to get destroyed on your first outing; because it looks to be exposed. Do you have a guard?

 

[Nicadraus]

Are you sure the spur gear/pinion aren't going to get destroyed on your first outing; because it looks to be exposed. Do you have a guard?

Nope. I've ran and raced this on dirt many times already. The spur gear is just so sturdy.