Options are the ideal way of improving the standard performance of an RC car, because they allow you to keep your original vehicle without having to change it. After all, why would you want to replace a car you're happy with if you can simply upgrade its performance? Clearly, the question remains.
Many current RC cars allow such a redesign. And not just cars dedicated to competition. That's the case with the Pirate RS3 Nitro Kit T4960 from T2M, which can be fitted with a raft of options. But that's not all. The Pirate RS3 SE RTR T4963, RS3 Sport T4961, RS3e T4962 and RS3 Race T4964 can also be upgraded with a whole range of parts. These options are designed both to enhance the car's performance and to improve its reliability. And don't forget that even the Pirate RS3 Nitro Kit T4960 and Pirate RS3 Race T4964 versions, which are already better equipped as standard, will be able to accommodate a few extra parts if you wish.
For this article, we've listed for you 12 options that will fit on the cars listed above. We take you through these, and explain what they're for and where they're fitted.
Homokinetic gimbals
They are primarily intended for the front axle transmission system. But they can also be fitted to the rear of the car. Made from treated steel, they optimise the car's turning radius compared with simple straight driveshafts with pinned balls. The drive square that connects the shaft to the stub axle also allows a greater angle of rotation. In use, they will prove to be far more reliable than standard straight models.
Aluminium shock absorbers
T2M offers here 4 superb pieces made up of CNC treated and threaded aluminium bodies. A must! They claim the label " big bore " or big volume thanks to their 19 millimetre diameter. They can be fitted in place of the plastic models and come with gussets to protect the rods and knobs to adjust the tension of their springs.
Their length is identical to that of standard parts.
These shock absorbers are both more efficient because they no longer weep, or weep less than their plastic counterparts. Above all, they are much more reliable and able to withstand shocks and are an almost indispensable option among all those available to you.
Suspension springs
What better way to accompany a set of aluminium shock absorbers than with new springs? T2M offers a plethora of models that vary in length and hardness, as well as coil pitch and colour.
To differentiate them in terms of hardness, you need to know that their colour indicates their number of coils. The more coils, the softer the springs. And vice versa.
As a general rule, short, slightly harder models should be reserved for the front axle, while long models are better suited to the rear axle.
The stabiliser bars
Also known as anti-roll bars, these are once again almost indispensable on a car. They regulate the lateral movements of the chassis when cornering so that the car retains its balance. This makes cornering easier and more efficient. These stainless steel bars are supplied in sets of 3 with different diameters. A distinction is made between the thinner models for the front axle and those with a larger cross-section for the rear axle. For the front axle, there are 2.2/2.4 and 2.6 mm bars. For the rear axle we find 2.4/2.6 and 2.8 mm bars.
Anti-roll bars are an effective way of modifying your car's behaviour. The rule of thumb is that the thinner the bar at the front, the more directional the car will be. And vice versa.
At the rear, a thinner bar will make the rear axle more playful. A thicker bar will give stability to this axle. The deal is to manage to match the diameters of these bars between the two axles to obtain a car targeted to the profile of the track or terrain, and above all a car that is easy to drive.
Aluminium fuse holders
These parts are essentially designed to improve vehicle reliability. They are more noble and more resistant than standard nylon parts. The models for the front axle have an additional advantage in that they allow you to change the angle of the car's chassis. In a nutshell, the steering knuckle angle is the inclination of the steering knuckles from their callipers in relation to a vertical axis. The greater the angle, the greater the caster. The more stable the car, the less steering it will have. And vice versa when the angle decreases. By definition, the Pirate RS3 front spindle carriers have an angle of 18 degrees. T2M offers 20-degree models, part number T4960/124, which will make the car easier to handle on bumpy terrain.
The optional rear spindle carriers also differ from the original injected plastic models. They accommodate graduated inserts for adjusting the geometry.
Cell wedges
T2M offers CNC-machined front and rear shims in anodised aluminium to replace the standard injected nylon ones. Not only are they virtually indestructible, they can also be fitted with graduated inserts to adjust the car's geometry parameters. The numbered models are fitted on the back of the rear cell to adjust the toe-in.
Graduated inserts
The graduated inserts, numbered 1 to 4, are directly linked to the stub axle holders and the shims that support the suspension wishbones, and can be used to adjust different geometry parameters. At the front, they can be used to modify the anti-dive. In a nutshell, the more the mounting pins that support your car's lower front wishbones are inclined in relation to a vertical axis, the greater the anti-dive angle. The more the car loses directional power when cornering, the easier it becomes to steer. And vice versa.
A l’arrière, ils permettent d’abord de modifier l’angle de pincement des roues pour augmenter la stabilité à haute vitesse. Ils vous donnent aussi la possibilité de modifier l’angle d’anti-cabrage pour augmenter ou diminuer l’adhérence des roues. Sans rentrer dans la technique, plus les axes de fixation qui soutiennent les triangles inférieurs arrière de votre auto sont inclinés par rapport à un axe vertical, plus l’angle d’anti-cabrage est important. Plus l’auto perd en adhérence et optimise le comportement de sa suspension sur les terrains bosselés. Et inversement.
Noix de différentiel renforcées et allégées
Lighter differential nuts with a specific reinforced treatment are marketed to increase their service life.
Machined suspension mounts
They receive the shock absorbers on each of two cells. Depending on the version of the Pirate RS3, these mounts are deep-drawn. T2M offers CNC machined models that are much more resistant to impact.
One-piece motor mount
On internal combustion versions of the Pirate RS3, the engine is fixed to the chassis by two separate brackets. This one-piece, anodised aluminium mount optimises fixing and has the advantage that the engine can be removed and re-installed without having to readjust the tooth gap each time (in other words, the minimum clearance that remains between the teeth of the clutch housing and those of the transmission ring gear). When you opt for such a bracket, you mount and align your engine once and for all, and when you want to remove it from the chassis, you simply remove the 4 main screws in the corners of the bracket. When reassembled, the motor returns to exactly the same position. So it's perfectly aligned!
Aluminium chassis reinforcements
This option is more optional. It is intended for those who wish to replace the 2 injected nylon chassis reinforcements with more robust machined models that are also heavier on the scales, although they do include some weight savings!
Aluminium front cell reinforcement
It's an option that exists but, once again, it's not essential. It replaces the standard injection-moulded plastic reinforcement but adds nothing of substance, apart from adding to the car's visual appeal!
A brief overview of the different T2M Pirate models
The Pirate 8.6 RTR is the ultimate T2M leisure model. It's the only chassis that can't be fitted with all these options.
The Pirate RS3e is the electric version of this off-roader in 1/8th scale. It already features a number of anodised aluminium parts, but can also be upgraded.
The Pirate RS3, supplied as an assembly kit, is the authentic competition version of the famous off-road buggy in 1/8th scale. It's already well equipped as standard, but can also benefit from a few improvements. The suspension springs, for example.
The Pirate RS3 Sport will be able to increase both its reliability and its performance by using this series of new parts.
The Pirate RS3 Race already includes a number of options. Additional options are also available.
Find all our T2M RC car offers here.
