Racing Hyper7: is 2-speed a good upgrade?

[Chevy-SS]

I am just getting into nitro buggy racing and bought a Hyper7 PBS PCR with the Hyper .21. Is the 2-speed tranny a good upgrade? The track I will race on is not huge, but it has plenty of jumps and turns, so you really need maximum punch out of the hole. Will the 2-speed help with low-end punch? Or is it mainly designed to boost top-end speed?

[RatzoRC]

I would say to boost top end speed.
Before you buy it, go to where they race, and listen to the buggies there.
where I race, Not 1 guy has a 2 speed in there buggy.
look into it first.

[FastEddy]

If your just getting into racing, use what you have, upgrades wont make you a better driver.

Go to the track and enter your first race. You will need 4-5 races under your belt before the buggy you drive will matter. Look at the tires the other drivers are using and what gearing they are using, these will be your first upgrades.

Figure out the track and how to drive and fly your buggy before you go trying to upgrade everything. Upgrade whatever brakes.

Have fun and let us know how you do.

-Ed

[GilBeQuick]

Myself, I'm not a big fan of the 2 speed for racing. To me it's just more to mess up. Other than just something to make it more complicated and mess up, my real disagreement with it is that if you're racing most likely you've already upgraded the engine with something more powerfull. Bottom line is, 90% of the time, other than being a better driver, the faster guys are faster because of their engines. What I'm getting at is that after driver skill has come into play you're going to have to upgrade your engine to compete with the fast guys.

From what I've heard the 2 speed is pretty pricey, and istead of going for the 2 speed I'd strongly suggest you put that money towards a better engine. With the better engine you can do what a the 2 speed would have done, with a lot less parts to mess up and a lot more reliability.

Weigh your options. Learn how to drive your buggy better, then if you're still not satisfied look to upgrade. If you think it's just be cool to have the 2 speed tranny then go for it, I'm sure it's a blast to mess around with. My personal opinion for racing is upgrade the engine.

[Chevy-SS]

Thanks for tips gents. I used to drag race real cars for many years. I know driving is a substantial part of winning, but if your car is slower, then you basically ain't never winning, no matter how good a driver you are. I have been oval carpet racing for a few months now and it's basically the same thing as real cars. If your car isn't tweaked perfectly, you ain't winning.

So that's why I was asking about the two-speed tranny. A great car can make an average driver (like me) look good. I want to go to the races with a car that has a chance of winning.

[drkman07]

did u end up getting the pcr and race??? let us know






Frank

[jon2]

Honetly the 2 speed is useless for racing as the tracks are not long enough to warrant to purchase one. Now for bashing I would try it out. The tracks I see are long enough to get top speed but to really go that fast you would need to wind up FASTT!!! and set your shift point perfect. IMO of course.

[cbreaker]

Off road is different then on road. It's a lot about technique, car setup, track conditions, etc. Track conditions are not a constant in off road. You can't just memorize the track, because things change even lap to lap.

I am currently club racing with a stock GS B01 engine on loan from a friend, and the engine wasn't broken in very good.. somewhat low compression. But I still place in the races against the WS7's because I make sure the car is solid (check everything, pull things apart, etc,) and I make sure I don't wipe out too much (ie - drive carefully.) I also have an engine that keeps running.

Maybe on-road is all about engine power. But off road is all about driver and the car. Of course, a great engine will always help.

Two speed transmissions will probably just hurt you in the end, for off road racing.

[Chevy-SS]

Originally Posted by drkman07

did u end up getting the pcr and race??? let us know

Frank

Yeah, I got the PCR. It's great. But then, this is my first buggy, so perhaps I am not qualified to give an opinion. However, a lot of the RC magazines gave the PCR high praises too and that's why I bought it in the first place. I have been racing it and doing pretty well. I honestly feel like the only reason I am not placing higher is because of my driving skills and chassis setup, both of which I will learn as time goes by.

I have been asking all the guys at my local track about 2-speeds. The answer is simple, no one runs a 2-speed, so I guess that answers my initial question. Thanks for all your helpful comments.

[Arrow]

wouldnt a very low ratio first to that tops out at like 20 and then a tall 2nd gear kinda be a good idea though? crap loads of kick and a shift point thats in reach.... might be a little demanding though

[WA2FAST]

Yeah man, I wouldn't do it. I have never seen a buggy in a race with a 2 speed trans... infact, I haven't even seen that many people do it. It seems to be one of those things that they made just cause it was possible and there would probibly be enough people that would buy it to offset the price of design and manufacturing it. Just a thing to use for bashing I guess... or to beat that guy that says his is faster.

As far as racing is concerned... definitely just one more part to break or something to go wrong... it would probibly get stuck in 2nd like a lot of monster trucks do or never shift out of 1st like lots of monster trucks do as well... they have problems just like anything else in this hobby... the more problematic things you can take out of the picture... the better in my opinion.

[dgrobe2112]

i would not do it.. waste of money.. you will lose low end performance.. that is why alot of truggy's.. like the SUT, Dominator.. are killin Tmaxx's.. and savages.. low end grunt..