Hanging with Paulie: Reviews, Rides, and Regrets… All for Your Benefit…and entertainment
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Loving the TT-02RA
I review the installation of the Tamiya TT-02RA steering upgrade. We also ponder whether or not Moses played with RC cars in the wilderness. I think Chat GPT has given us ample proof that he did. Or this could just be made up. I will let you decide.
Tuning the Slash
Whoops! I did manage to get the truck tuned, and then WHAMMMO! More details coming on that next week, but this week I talk about tuning the nitro engine,
My Love for Tamiya
Are you looking for something to do in the winter? Well, this is how we pass the time. I do find the RC hobby rewarding even though I am more of a basher rather than a serious racer.
Slash Nitro: Tuition Paid to School Hard Knocks
I lament my holy engine. I discovered why the engine would not stay running and sorta fired. I pulled the motor only to see the window into the engine’s world.
Nitro Slash: Hopefully a Winner
So, what can turn an electric guy to branch out into nitro? I am not sure that I am sold at this point, but the truck does look pretty awesome!