RC Corvette Test Drive
Remote control cars have evolved in the last 30 years to become serious hobby and collector pieces. They’re not just for kids anymore! Take for instance these fully customizable remote control Corvettes, engineered with the same high performance power and handling attributes that Corvette is known for.
What are you really getting with an RC Car?
In recent years, hobby-grade “ready-to-run” (or “RTR”) models have become readily available from major manufacturers of radio-controlled cars, attracting many hobbyists who would otherwise not have purchased a kit car. Vehicles of this type need little or no final assembly and in most cases, the bodies are shipped painted and trimmed. Hobby grade vehicle costs range from $90 to over $1600.
Chassis
These remote control Corvettes come with a V100-S Vaterra Chassis. These chassis are 1/10 scale with a beautiful design and detail, all the way down to the high performance drilled rotors and calipers. This chassis gives you a balanced, neutral handling car with a wide range of tuning options. You can even upgrade this chassis with new suspension or a powertrain.
Body
These beautiful 1969 or 2014 Corvette bodies are officially licensed by General Motors and include specific details, such as correct bumpers, badging and more. If the provided body isn’t quite what you’re looking for, just purchase an unpainted body kit and begin the process of total customization. Use a paint that’s approved for polycarbonate plastic; the rest of the accessories are provided.
Powertrain
If its power you’re after with your RC Car, look no further! The Dynamite 15 Turn Brushed Motor provides plenty of power to the shaft-driven 4 wheel drive assembly. In fact, the four wheel drive delivers excellent traction on paved surfaces and superb drift control when sliding through corners at full throttle. The differentials are sealed against the elements and can be tuned for a variety of running conditions, as indicated by this chart.
Wheels and Tires
On small cars, this can make a big difference. Especially on small RC cars! The low-profile tires and 54mm wheels are complemented by brake and caliper details on the hub. The rear tires have a little more meat than the fronts for better grip and a little more attitude.
Prep Time: Before Running Your RC Corvette
Always consider these quick steps before running your RC Corvette. You’ll enjoy the drive even more if you do!
- Check for free suspension movement. All suspension arms and steering components should move freely. Any binds will cause the vehicle to handle poorly.
- Charge the battery. There’s nothing worse than an abbreviated run because you don’t have a full battery.
- Check the calibration of the Electronic Speed Control. If recalibration is required, follow the setup instructions supplied in the owner’s manual.
- Adjust the transmitter settings to your desired configuration.
Run Times
The largest factor in run time is the capacity of the battery pack. A larger mAh rating increases the amount of run time. The condition of a battery pack is also an important factor in both run time and speed. The battery connectors may become hot during driving. Batteries will lose performance and capacity over time. Driving the vehicle from a stop to full speed repeatedly will damage the batteries and electronics over time. Sudden acceleration will also lead to shorter run times.
How to Improve Run Times
- Check for free suspension movement. All suspension arms and steering components should move freely. Any binds will cause the vehicle to handle poorly.
- Charge the battery. There’s nothing worse than an abbreviated run because you don’t have a full battery.
- Check the calibration of the Electronic Speed Control. If recalibration is required, follow the setup instructions supplied in the owner’s manual.
- Adjust the transmitter settings to your desired configuration.
Driving Precautions
- Maintain sight of the vehicle at all times.
- Routinely inspect the vehicle for loose wheel hardware.
- Do not drive the vehicle in tall grass. Doing so can damage the vehicle or electronics.
- Do not apply forward or reverse throttle if the vehicle is stuck. Applying throttle in this instance can damage the motor.
- Stop driving the vehicle when you notice a lack of power. Driving the vehicle when the battery is overly discharged can cause the receiver to power off. If the receiver loses power, you will lose control of the vehicle.
- After driving the vehicle, allow the electronics to cool before driving the vehicle again. Remove the body of the vehicle to reduce cooling time.
Tuning, Adjusting, and Maintaining your RC Corvette
To ensure the most fun – and longest life – for your RC Corvette, follow these suggestions:
- Examine your vehicle on a regular basis to ensure there is no damage or wear.
- Use a brush to remove dirt and dust.
- Look for damage to the suspension arms and other molded parts.
- Re-glue the tires to the wheels, if necessary.
- Clean and oil all wheel bearings.
- Use suitable tools to tighten fasteners.
- Make sure the camber and steering linkages are not bent; replace any bent linkages.
- Adjust the Toe and Camber settings, if necessary.
- Remove the shocks and inspect them for damage. Rebuild the shocks if oil is leaking.
- Inspect electronics and batteries for exposed wires. Repair exposed wires with shrink-wrap or replace the wire.
- Make sure the Electronic Speed Control and receiver are secure on the chassis. Replace the double-sided tape, if necessary.
- Power ON the transmitter. If the green LED is dim or off, replace the AA batteries in your transmitter.
- Check the spur gear and pinion gear for wear.
Water-Resistant Vehicle With Waterproof Electronics
Really? Yes! Your remote control Corvette has been designed and built with a combination of waterproof and water resistant components to allow you to drive in puddles, snow, rain, and wet grass. However this doesn’t mean that your RC Corvette should be submerged underwater. Metal parts, such as bearings, hinge pins, screws and nuts, as well as the contacts in the electrical cables, will be susceptible to corrosion if additional maintenance is not performed after operating in wet conditions. Here is a service procedure to follow after operating in wet conditions:
- Drain any water that has collected in the tires by spinning them at high speed.
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With the body removed, place the vehicle upside down and pull full throttle for a few short bursts until the water has been removed.
- Remove the battery pack(s) and dry the contacts.
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If you have an air compressor or a can of compressed air, blow out any water that may be inside the recessed connector housing.
- Remove the tires/wheels from the vehicle and gently rinse the mud and dirt off with a garden hose. Avoid rinsing the bearings and transmission.
- Use an air compressor or a can of compressed air to dry the vehicle and help remove any water that may have gotten into small crevices or corners.
- Spray the bearings, drive train, fasteners and other metal parts with a water-displacing light oil. Do not spray the motor.
- Let the vehicle air dry before you store it. Water (and oil) may continue to drip for a few hours.
Accessories – The Fun Stuff!
Want to really test out your driving skills?
Get some Course Cones and build your own RC Corvette track! These 2.75-inch RC Course/Track Cones allow you to set up a track just about anywhere. They come six to a package, and feature a realistic bright orange look and feel of authentic traffic cones. Track cones are constructed of quality neoprene material.
Be sure your RC Stingray Corvette is always ready with an extra battery pack. The Dynamic Speedpack Battery is a 1800 mAH Ni-MH battery with a 6-Cell configuration. Use it to double your playtime or get a few and stock your battery bank.
Take it one step further with an Unpainted Body Set and completely customize your RC Corvette. Whether you want to make your RC car look just like your Stingray – or the one you’ve always wanted – it’s only a project away. The set includes all accessories and decals to complete the look.
From hobby racing to backyard competitions, it’s always fun to put America’s Sports Car to the test!
