Update on the Active Hobby Front Motor Conversion prototype. Good results from testing with several Active drivers. Another step closer to scale RC Drifting, especially with the quest for the FR layout. May be available sooner than you think.
Testing has been very good for RC Drift counter-steer applications. Even with removal of front gear differential, RWD is difficult but not impossible. Overall testing has been very good. The prototype has been praised by everyone with the exception of the steering angle. Current spur gear and front damper positions will limit steering angle. That seems to be the only issue with it, this may go into production faster than expected.
Here are some close-ups of the current running prototype.
December 19, 2011
The new higher resolution images released from Active Hobby reveals that similarities to many Tamiya cars. The front differential appears to be a gear differential, similar to the FF03 or TA06. The front motor mount is also similar to the TA06 or FF03. The steering assembly is reminiscent of the TA05 VDF setup with longer wiper arms. That is all that I noticed, if you think you can pin point out more of the details, please do not hesitate to comment in the disqus forum below this post!
December 08, 2011
The current conversion is targeted at Tamiya TA-06 and TA-05 owners. Designed for use with the use of Tamiya reversible suspension arms, TA-06 drive system and several additional parts. We suspect that any TA-05 styled chassis will be able to equip this conversion kit as well, but we will find out when they announce the final finished product. The current prototype is a front motor rear wheel drive (RWD) version that is used for testing. This is another product that will further evolve the front motor rear wheel drive market. This chassis will have the capability of 4WD or only RWD.
A feature that sets this front motor conversion apart would be the adjustable battery positioning. Now the battery can be placed in both horizontal or vertical set-ups. A very good feature to have which the user can determine which style suits them best. Boasting parallel steering geometry for ideal drifting performance. New aluminum steering wipers will have parallel setup and possibly adjustable ackerman angle. The rear suspension setup of the chassis also allows for greater adjustments, Active boasts improved high traction characteristics for better performance. They are also developing a Front One-way differential specially for this kit.
Source: Active Hobby
Awesome!! I can’t wait!
Yeap hopefully it is reasonably priced
Considering how much their vdf and drift package conversions are, it wont be cheap.
You are probably correct, but I hope otherwise. This new conversion kit sounds like it requires parts from both TA05 and TA06, maybe the cost for the kit itself will be reduced? Although due to other parts needed, it may come out to costing more or equal to the kits you mentioned
keep hoping. LOL
oh I will!
I dont really see any ta05 parts. Ta06 drive train parts and reversible suspension used in all other tamiya cars.
I wonder how the fitment for bodies would be like and if it would cost a lot. The past few Front Motor concepts seems to be on the high end of the price range.
It should be able to share the same bodies as other front motor conversions. Pretty sure that the price tag for any front motor concept will be on the high end range, the research and development alone warrant that cost.
Awesome!! I can’t wait!
Yeap hopefully it is reasonably priced
Considering how much their vdf and drift package conversions are, it wont be cheap.
You are probably correct, but I hope otherwise. This new conversion kit sounds like it requires parts from both TA05 and TA06, maybe the cost for the kit itself will be reduced? Although due to other parts needed, it may come out to costing more or equal to the kits you mentioned
keep hoping. LOL
I dont really see any ta05 parts. Ta06 drive train parts and reversible suspension used in all other tamiya cars.
oh I will!
I wonder how the fitment for bodies would be like and if it would cost a lot. The past few Front Motor concepts seems to be on the high end of the price range.
It should be able to share the same bodies as other front motor conversions. Pretty sure that the price tag for any front motor concept will be on the high end range, the research and development alone warrant that cost.
Oh, looks amazing.
I hope, someone will do a FF conversion for ARD CER too.
This is not a RWD, we can see gears, as the FF-03, sakura FF, back of the motor, and front shafts 😉
I want this chassis, exactly what I wanted to do for my NEXTgen chassis (RWD)…
Yes you are right, but Active did say that it is RWD compatible with removal of front diff. During the last press release they had they announced that it was the RWD version for prototype, guess they changed their mind? heh
I would have to say I like the front removable diff idea. The more options the more appealing to the consumer I would say.
Absolutely, but like any chassis out there, you can always remove the front diff or belt for pure RWD, even the MST Front motor conversion is the same. What we are really waiting for is the price on this kit, that will be the deciding factor for value.
Oh, looks amazing.
I hope, someone will do a FF conversion for ARD CER too.
This is not a RWD, we can see gears, as the FF-03, sakura FF, back of the motor, and front shafts 😉
I want this chassis, exactly what I wanted to do for my NEXTgen chassis (RWD)…
Yes you are right, but Active did say that it is RWD compatible with removal of front diff. During the last press release they had they announced that it was the RWD version for prototype, guess they changed their mind? heh
I would have to say I like the front removable diff idea. The more options the more appealing to the consumer I would say.
Absolutely, but like any chassis out there, you can always remove the front diff or belt for pure RWD, even the MST Front motor conversion is the same. What we are really waiting for is the price on this kit, that will be the deciding factor for value.
For the price (Active Hobby AIN’T CHEAP) and the fact that the steering angle ain’t on nothing, I feel it won’t sale that well IMO… The MST front motor conversion (Which is really cheap when you factor in what you get) seems to be the (I hate to say this) Chassis to get! I just need to see the range of bodies I can use with it, Can someone please post how it fits with bodies or lack of bodies it can use? IMO is seems that the conversions work with only 200 mm bodies?
Using the original Rajimani Front motor conversion compatible bodies list is
A large number of the Yokomo chassis
will still fit, such as the 180SX, S15, R34, Evo X, Samura FC3S, AE86
and Chasers. Tamiya bodies are only limited to the S15 and the R32. HPI
bodies are limited to the Supra, Soarer and Impreza. The Vertex S15 is
the only other exception to that list.
It should be quite similar, there may be some other exceptions. They are generally designed for 190mm, but who knows this is still a prototype. Wait for the final release details 🙂
For the price (Active Hobby AIN’T CHEAP) and the fact that the steering angle ain’t on nothing, I feel it won’t sale that well IMO… The MST front motor conversion (Which is really cheap when you factor in what you get) seems to be the (I hate to say this) Chassis to get! I just need to see the range of bodies I can use with it, Can someone please post how it fits with bodies or lack of bodies it can use? IMO is seems that the conversions work with only 200 mm bodies?
Using the original Rajimani Front motor conversion compatible bodies list is
A large number of the Yokomo chassis
will still fit, such as the 180SX, S15, R34, Evo X, Samura FC3S, AE86
and Chasers. Tamiya bodies are only limited to the S15 and the R32. HPI
bodies are limited to the Supra, Soarer and Impreza. The Vertex S15 is
the only other exception to that list.
It should be quite similar, there may be some other exceptions. They are generally designed for 190mm, but who knows this is still a prototype. Wait for the final release details 🙂