Changed to a 540 when I saw my friend's Hornet with one about 12 years ago, never regretted it. Also got the spiky tires for dirt. The Grasshopper is one of the best R/C ever made for sturdiness and fun to play with.
The 380 motor is great for low speed technical dirt offroad tracks, almost like crawling. Also, one can have fun with painting up the body in different liveries, as it lends itself to many different paint schemes. Finally, its great to create an armada of grasshoppers, so every family member have one thats unique to them. Then go have fun together.
I picked up a used grasshopper and TAMIYA PANDA yesterday for just $35. Anyway I wanted to put a 550 on the grasshopper and was trying to figure out the proper size pinion to use and your video was exactly what I needed and more. Thanks bro!
I never thought about those steering tie rods. I own a Hornet and 2 unbuilt Grasshoppers. My hornet was damned horrible to drive. But thats a great piece of advice to adjust the camber and tow in with the steering links. Another thought i came up with is to leave the rubber collar tube out of the front suspension struts. I seems to cause some type of stiction. For instance if the rubber tube is removed the suspension should have full compression and feel mire subtle , hopefully stopping the front end bouncing around like it does. These cars are so light weight at around 874 grams for the Hornet without battery. By comparison the new Arrma Typhon Grom reaches 22 mph or 37 km/ h. And it weighs less and is 4WD and only runs a 380 type brushed motor. Im highly tempted to buy an Arrma Typhon Grom. And its even cheaper than a Tamiya RC kit at around $140.00 American dollars. Here in Australia it retails at $240.00! Australian dollars. But i am a life long Tamiya RC fanatic and enthusiast. I own lots of Tamiya RC cars. A series 2 Hot Shot, a Hot Shot 2, a Super Hot Shot. A vintage Tamiya Fox and a new rerelease Nova Fox. A Tamiya Egress black edition and a Tamiya Avante black edition. A Midnight Pumpkin and a Lunchbox both black edition. And i reckon ive forgotten one or more. I love Tamiya RC cars. This is a great video, thanks for doing the speed testa and the advice on the steering arms. I had originally tried a 15 turn Core RC motor in my Hornet and it was too much. That little buggy went from looking beautiful and brand new to looking very old and banged up really quickly. I soon returned the stock 540 silver can motor and its so much nicer to drive. Then i brought a new body shell and decal set. Consequently i put that 15 turn in my new Nova Fox and man that car flies. Un my Super Hot Shot and seiries 1 Hot Shot i put in a Tamiya Super stock RZ motor and man that car is fast. I get 27 mph or 45 km/h. Its faster than a Kyosho Fazer 1969 Chevy Camaro with the stock Kyosho brushed motor by around 3 km/h . Great video again man . 👍👌
I would check out part 2.. the titan 12t is my best bet because you can run it on 3s if you want. I also have an original hot shot and a super shot.. you can see my hot shot body video.. I am not running those. No way I’m messing those up
I know nothing about RC but really enjoyed watching this. Loved hat you explained everything and didn't as pet a lot of channels just use jargon assuming everyone already knows. So I'm correct that there was nothing to swap except the actual motor? Looking at getting my first RC and the grasshopper is on the shortlist. Thanks and subscribed
Bearings are pretty inexpensive these days , why not build it with them for $10 ish,Especially if you’re rolling with the 380 for a while till you bump up to a 540? Just my opinion,good fun either way. Glad to see people enjoying the Tamiya classics that so many of us have spent time with.
I bought ball bearings for other models .. I just got into these (December 2021) .. I have many videos coming on figuring that stuff out.. where do you get them for $10?
@@chriscraft2 Awesome video on the grasshopper. Does bring back memories. My first hobby grade rc was a Grasshopper my dad bought for me back in 88’. Restored it to new back in 2015. As for the bearings you can check on eBay and I know winter evening and Team JB hobbies has the bearings for $10-$12.
Hey chief, can you send me a link perhaps for the pinion gear? I can't seem to find it and just want to make sure I'm getting the right stuff 👌 thanks in advance 😊
yes.. on this one I would avoid replacing them with ball bearings because the car is a bit unstable once you get over 20 mph.. buy ball bearings for some other chassis.. I got ball bearings for tt01 and tt02 instead of this one
@@chriscraft2 Right on. I ended up doing Fast Eddys in my GH, runs like a top. Definitely want to get a 540 motor though, and I just ordered some Tamiya CVA shocks for the rear today.
I’m about to do another video with a titan 550 ($25) and a $30 brushless 540 style on the grasshopper.. I don’t think the ball bearings make it faster they are just needed when you go above 20 mph. Cause the plastic bushings get eaten away fast
Break-in the brushes by running the motor submerged in a bowl of water, that will pick up some extra RPM's (old racer trick). Also, use a JIS screwdriver for Japan screws (Not Phillips).
Definitely a big improvement over a 540, although I am doubtful or afraid of wearing out the transmission gears or diff if I drive it up to 18-19mph. 😥 
Changed to a 540 when I saw my friend's Hornet with one about 12 years ago, never regretted it. Also got the spiky tires for dirt. The Grasshopper is one of the best R/C ever made for sturdiness and fun to play with.
The 380 motor is great for low speed technical dirt offroad tracks, almost like crawling. Also, one can have fun with painting up the body in different liveries, as it lends itself to many different paint schemes. Finally, its great to create an armada of grasshoppers, so every family member have one thats unique to them. Then go have fun together.
Ohh man I also missed out on the RC when I was a kid and growing up. This is the perfect timing. Thank you for showing the conversion of 380 to 540.
Cool video. I have just built a grasshopper, and I wondered what motor I could upgrade. Your video helped 👍👍👍
I picked up a used grasshopper and TAMIYA PANDA yesterday for just $35.
Anyway I wanted to put a 550 on the grasshopper and was trying to figure out the proper size pinion to use and your video was exactly what I needed and more. Thanks bro!
I never thought about those steering tie rods. I own a Hornet and 2 unbuilt Grasshoppers. My hornet was damned horrible to drive. But thats a great piece of advice to adjust the camber and tow in with the steering links. Another thought i came up with is to leave the rubber collar tube out of the front suspension struts. I seems to cause some type of stiction. For instance if the rubber tube is removed the suspension should have full compression and feel mire subtle , hopefully stopping the front end bouncing around like it does. These cars are so light weight at around 874 grams for the Hornet without battery. By comparison the new Arrma Typhon Grom reaches 22 mph or 37 km/ h. And it weighs less and is 4WD and only runs a 380 type brushed motor. Im highly tempted to buy an Arrma Typhon Grom. And its even cheaper than a Tamiya RC kit at around $140.00 American dollars. Here in Australia it retails at $240.00! Australian dollars. But i am a life long Tamiya RC fanatic and enthusiast. I own lots of Tamiya RC cars. A series 2 Hot Shot, a Hot Shot 2, a Super Hot Shot. A vintage Tamiya Fox and a new rerelease Nova Fox. A Tamiya Egress black edition and a Tamiya Avante black edition. A Midnight Pumpkin and a Lunchbox both black edition. And i reckon ive forgotten one or more. I love Tamiya RC cars. This is a great video, thanks for doing the speed testa and the advice on the steering arms. I had originally tried a 15 turn Core RC motor in my Hornet and it was too much. That little buggy went from looking beautiful and brand new to looking very old and banged up really quickly. I soon returned the stock 540 silver can motor and its so much nicer to drive. Then i brought a new body shell and decal set. Consequently i put that 15 turn in my new Nova Fox and man that car flies. Un my Super Hot Shot and seiries 1 Hot Shot i put in a Tamiya Super stock RZ motor and man that car is fast. I get 27 mph or 45 km/h. Its faster than a Kyosho Fazer 1969 Chevy Camaro with the stock Kyosho brushed motor by around 3 km/h . Great video again man . 👍👌
I would check out part 2.. the titan 12t is my best bet because you can run it on 3s if you want. I also have an original hot shot and a super shot.. you can see my hot shot body video.. I am not running those. No way I’m messing those up
I know nothing about RC but really enjoyed watching this. Loved hat you explained everything and didn't as pet a lot of channels just use jargon assuming everyone already knows.
So I'm correct that there was nothing to swap except the actual motor? Looking at getting my first RC and the grasshopper is on the shortlist.
Thanks and subscribed
you need an 18 tooth .08 pinion gear to run a 540 size motor..
Many thanks
Rear left tire is backwards, you need to switch it around on the rim. The right one is good.
Bearings are pretty inexpensive these days , why not build it with them for $10 ish,Especially if you’re rolling with the 380 for a while till you bump up to a 540? Just my opinion,good fun either way. Glad to see people enjoying the Tamiya classics that so many of us have spent time with.
I bought ball bearings for other models .. I just got into these (December 2021) .. I have many videos coming on figuring that stuff out.. where do you get them for $10?
@@chriscraft2 Awesome video on the grasshopper. Does bring back memories. My first hobby grade rc was a Grasshopper my dad bought for me back in 88’. Restored it to new back in 2015. As for the bearings you can check on eBay and I know winter evening and Team JB hobbies has the bearings for $10-$12.
How’s the Chevelle coming along Chris?
What about using a Traxxas Titan 12T motor? Would that improve it to make it as fast as the Bandit?
I do in part 2
hye sir.what pitch of pinion if want to upgrade 540 motor ?
awesome video, do you still need the 18T pinion to upgrade?
yes
Hey chief, can you send me a link perhaps for the pinion gear? I can't seem to find it and just want to make sure I'm getting the right stuff 👌 thanks in advance 😊
@@Where1smyCamera amzn.eu/d/e5R4WCW
Make sure it's 32P 18T 🤙🏻
Curious, I just did a GH build this week, are you running stock plastic bearings in the car? Cheers
yes.. on this one I would avoid replacing them with ball bearings because the car is a bit unstable once you get over 20 mph.. buy ball bearings for some other chassis.. I got ball bearings for tt01 and tt02 instead of this one
@@chriscraft2 Right on. I ended up doing Fast Eddys in my GH, runs like a top. Definitely want to get a 540 motor though, and I just ordered some Tamiya CVA shocks for the rear today.
I’m about to do another video with a titan 550 ($25) and a $30 brushless 540 style on the grasshopper.. I don’t think the ball bearings make it faster they are just needed when you go above 20 mph. Cause the plastic bushings get eaten away fast
@@chriscraft2 and you then look for the oil suspension, trust me you will want it if your using the 540.
@@chriscraft2 and the idea of changing actuall bearing is not to damaged the motor.
in the 80s it look fast that and wild willy
You forgot to grease the Alum pinon gear. Light grease will make the alum last a lot longer.
Thanks for the test pretty useful!
Hay que ponerle un motor Traxxas 550 12T haber cuanta velocidad logra
What battery?
Thanks man helpful video 👍 badass Tamiya
Part 2 is better.. check it out if on a budget
It bounces, that's why its the Grasshopper. lol
Break-in the brushes by running the motor submerged in a bowl of water, that will pick up some extra RPM's (old racer trick). Also, use a JIS screwdriver for Japan screws (Not Phillips).
have you ever broken a motor in under water?
Yep, picks up extra RPM @@chriscraft2
Current Japan screws are not JIS....but the older screws are.
Great content you very informative
Thanks mate, was helpful...
Hare Krishna.
You should get a DT-02 or 03
I’m thinking about going brushless and making a drag buggy /fast beach buggy (if I changed the tires)
I have part 2 and 3 on this buggy.. brushless on 2s is perfect no need to change the tires
My grasshopper does 20 with the stock 380 but I think I have an 18/20 tooth pinion
Make a video of it
Upgrade to Tamiya 380 sports tuned. Much better choice for græshopper.
Definitely a big improvement over a 540, although I am doubtful or afraid of wearing out the transmission gears or diff if I drive it up to 18-19mph. 😥

watch part 2 .. do that .. don’t do part 3
si llevo este auto a 19 mph por tramos largos y periodos prolongados puedo acabar con el diferencial y spur gear?
I got 26mph with 3300mah nimh and a new style sport tune motor
All I use are grasshoppers and hornets.