Hex Wheels

The included wheels and tires are great for running on grass and fluffy dirt (like a baseball diamond) but since I wanted to run the Dual Block tires, I needed to get some true 2.2 wheels.  Originally, I ordered Tamiya 54338 and 54339 wheels.

While looking around at other DT-02/3 builds, I came across a front wheel hex adapter made by GPM.

I couldn't find any info on these and couldn't find any other ways that people ran front wheel hexes. These were $10, so I figured I'd take a chance and see how they go.  Looking around at hex wheel options, I settled on Tamiya Dark Impact wheels.  It seems very popular to run DF03 rear wheels but I really wanted to run the matching front wheels too.  I've never seen anyone do this so maybe I'll be the first!

Welcome to my Tamiya DT-03 build!  This is my 2nd DT-03--  I originally had a Neo Fighter with all the options but sold it shortly after to fund another project.  Having 3 DT-02 chassis cars (2 of them are for my young sons), I decided that I needed to join the fun again and bought the new "Racing Fighter" version.  Mine came from Tower Hobbies for $90.  It's hard to complain about a kit for under $100!

Having previously owned a DT03, I had a good idea how I wanted to set mine up.  I also realized which upgrades were worth the money and which ones were a waste.  For this build, I wanted to stay as close to 100% Tamiya as possible.  With that in mind, here is what I've purchased so far:

Tamiya Carbon Fiber Front Stay (54562)

Tamiya Carbon Fiber Rear Stay (54563)

I ordered the carbon fiber stays for my last DT-03.  As far as I can tell, they don't do a whole lot for performance.  They do have three holes for shock adjustments but I doubt I will ever use more than the center one.  I mostly ordered these because they look nice.

Tamiya DT-02 Spring Set (53832)

Tamiya Dual Block Tires (54185, 54186)

This purchase was more about wanting Tamiya tires than anything.  They aren't half bad though. They came standard on my son's DT-02 Sonic Fighter SV and have been great on everything from tarmac, grass and dirt.  They are even wearing well on the street.

Tamiya GT Tuned 25T motor (53779)

I'm not sure how I feel about this purchase.  On my last DT-03 build, I put a 10T brushless motor in and the car was great.  Almost too fast really.  I really wanted to run the stock TBLE-02 speed control that comes with the kit and it has a 25T limit (or Sport Tuned).  I've had one of the hotter Tamiya Super Stock motors and they get too hot for the limited gearing that the DT-02/3 gearbox has.  I chose the GT Tuned becuase I figured it would be faster than the kit Torque Tuned and have more torque than a Sport Tuned.  It also looks more racey than the closed endbell motors.  In the US, these motors go for $40 or more.  I bought mine through Amazon from a Japanese seller for $25.