Hanging with Paulie: Reviews, Rides, and Regrets… All for Your Benefit…and entertainment
Audi Quattro: The Rally Car That Changed AWD Forever
I used to think Audis were just quirky, overpriced Volkswagens. Then I watched rally racing and realized something profound: horsepower doesn’t win races—traction does. The Audi Quattro wasn’t just another AWD car; it was a radical rethink of how power gets to the ground. From frozen test courses in Finland to modern RC builds on my workbench, this car represents innovation, perseverance, and the willingness to try something no one else thought would work.
Tried for 40, but Missed the Mark
I set out to prove you could hit 40 MPH with a brushed motor Arrma Fury on a budget. Spoiler: I maxed out at 24 MPH in 25-degree weather. After buying a bone stock brushed Fury and another with a burnt-up ESC, I upgraded the brushed motor, replaced brushes, and experimented with different pinion gears. The goal? Hit that furious 40 MPH mark without going brushless.
The takeaway? If you want high speed, buy brushless from the start. The brushless Fury is only $30 more than the brushed. Yes, you'll need batteries and a charger (another $115), but it's worth it if racing is your goal. That said, upgrading a brushed motor is therapeutic and educational. If you can score a brushed Fury under $150, it's a great platform to learn on. Just know what you're getting into.
Sky RC GPS or Good News Super Sensor?
You've upgraded your RC car, but is it actually fast? Racing your buddy is fun, but it doesn't give you objective data. That's where the SkyRC GNSS comes in—a dead-simple GPS speed tracker that works anywhere in the world. It's tough, easy to mount, and pairs with your phone in seconds. The downside? You can't export the log files, which is frustrating for data nerds like me. But at under $70, it's still a solid tool for tracking your progress. If you want to know whether your brushed motor can really hit 40 mph, this little black box will give you the answer.
How to Fix Tire Rubbing on Arrma Fury (ProLine Badlands)
Installed ProLine Badlands on your Arrma Fury and hearing rubbing? Here's how to trim the body properly without ruining the look of your truck.
Making Warranty Great Again: Horizon Pulls Through!
What started as a confusing shipping notification quickly turned into a standout example of exceptional customer service. After a failed ESC/RX unit went up in smoke, Horizon Hobby surprised me with a replacement shipped in under 24 hours—no charge, no hassle, and no runaround. In a hobby where downtime is expected, Horizon proved that standing behind your product still matters. I hope you also enjoy the pics of the Arrma Fury jumping.
Proline Beadlock SCT Wheels
If you’re tired of gluing your fingers together instead of your RC tires, this one’s for you. I test Proline bead lock wheels, walk through installation, weigh the pros and cons, and share a few lessons learned along the way.
Dante Can’t Hold the Fury
The Fury charges through the backyard course like a creature unleashed from Dante’s deepest levels. Rocks, roots, and rough terrain can’t cage it. Even the legendary author of the Inferno couldn’t imagine this kind of relentless grind and glorious comeback. Victory isn’t guaranteed — but the Fury never backs down.
Arrma Fury 40 MPH Attempt… Till the Spur Gear
Is your Fury making you furious? Is it squealing so loud that you are scared CPS will show up to your door? Yeah, its annoying, but not all is lost. Here’s how to rebuild the slipper clutch, quiet that squeal, and learn some valuable RC skills along the way. Who knows, you might even learn some life skills as well!
New Motor and New Problems: DisArrma-ed
When more power meets more problems—upgrading my Arrma Fury’s motor led straight to stripped gears, late-night tinkering, and a few life lessons on patience, perseverance, and redemption. Sometimes fixing an RC car teaches you more about life than driving it.
Proline Body Mounts
If you’ve ever tried fitting an electric Slash body on a Nitro Slash, you know the frustration — they just don’t line up! In this post, I test out the Pro-Line Adjustable Body Mount Kit to see if it really solves that problem. I’ll walk you through what’s in the kit, what works, what doesn’t, and why this little upgrade earned the title of a Paulie’s Pick. Spoiler: it’s not perfect, but it makes swapping bodies a whole lot easier for anyone who loves tinkering with their RC rigs.
2S, 3S, and NiMH…. Oh My!
Inspired by a dad’s comment about the high cost of RC hobbies, this experiment tests an eBay-purchased RC truck’s brushed motor to reach 40 MPH on a budget, using a GoPro Hero 7 on a custom 3D-printed mount to record speeds across 4-6 laps in a parking lot with NiMH (~18 MPH), 2S LiPO (~25 MPH), and 3S LiPO (~25 MPH) batteries; while LiPO offered consistent performance, the GoPro’s weight caused understeer, and a potentially worn-out motor limited results, suggesting future tests with a GPS module and new motor to balance cost and performance.
My Furious Disease…. How do I ARRMA against it?
Yup, these RC trucks can be a bit addictive. However, this is not some newfound fetish or strange obsession. Well, it is partly that. It is rather to do some experimentation. This is like being in college, but with a lot more wisdom and a lot less self-harm.
Aarma….My FURY is Released!….and I’m LOVING IT!
Unboxing the ARRMA Fury from Tower Hobbies’ Scratch & Dent section! Is this discontinued brushed short course truck still worth it in 2025? Let’s dig into the build quality, performance, and value for beginners and RC enthusiasts alike.
One Traxxas Servo Fixed
Many Traxxas owners complain about weak Traxxas servos, and I found out why. After troubleshooting my Slash Nitro, I replaced the stock servo with the EcoPower WP120T from A Main Hobbies. I demonstrate how to install the servo, and I may have switched from Hitec.
Traxxas Steering Upgrade
The stock steering on the Traxxas Nitro Slash is a weak point, so I upgraded to the aluminum Traxxas 3743A bellcrank with built-in bearings. The install took some patience—removing the bumper, servo arm, and loosening the chassis—but the result is tighter, smoother steering and better durability. Combined with upgraded tires, the Slash becomes a fun, drift-happy nitro truck that just needs a little tuning to shine.
Badland Tires: Sometimes a Badland is the Perfect LAND!
I try out the Proline Badlands tires! The tires are absolutely amazing. The Slash is a whole new truck. That is, until the steering broke. OH well, what is one more upgrade? Anyway, we spend the time reviewing the Proline Badlands tires.
The Slash Slays!
When a USPS alert feels like Santa’s text, you know it’s a good day. My order from A Main Hobbies brought Proline Badlands tires for the Slash. Now I was free to do a science experiment: could it drive with just foam and no tire? Turns out… yes, with glorious donuts and burned foam. Here’s the story, the laughs, and the nitro-fueled fun.
Resurrecting the Slash… Sorta
Ever felt judged by your half-broken RC truck? Paulie did. This post chronicles the attempts of resurrecting the Nitro Slash. I install new caster blocks, discover my failed glow ignitor, try to do foam-only tire runs, and consider the deeper joy of redeeming what’s broken. Get ready for nitro-fueled chaos, honest product thoughts, and maybe a few life lessons along the way.
A Little Mix and Match
I give an update on the Traxxas Slash and update some of the Tamiya projects we have lying around. I also show my love for Tamiya by