Team Associated RC10 B5 Team Kit - 90001

   Introduced by Team Associated in 2013, the 2WD RC10B5 Team Kit - # 90001 - was designed by Area 51 with a new narrow chassis, reducing body-roll, 12mm Big Bore dampers and VTS slipper clutch, to improve overall performance.

   Circa 2015 a B5 to B5M Conversion kit - # 91539 - was produced and in 2016 a Limited Edition B5 Team Kit with the B5M Conversion - #90001B - was introduced. A B5M to B5 Conversion kit - # 91540 - was also introduced around the same time.

   In this series of articles I will endeavour to provide information to help identify any of the 1/10 Scale RC10 2WD series and where it sits along its evolutionary trail. With this knowledge, any RC10 owner should be able to decide if their model is just one of the many thousands that were produced, or is potentially a collectors "holy grail".

2013 RC10B5 Team Kit

   The new B5 TK narrow molded composite chassis, employs a ball differential, coil spring over oil filled V2 "Big Bore" dampers, CVA drive shafts, VTS slipper clutch, titanium turnbuckles and a full set of ball bearings.

Model Versions:

• #90001 RC10B5 Team Kit
• #91539 B5 to B5M Conversion Kit
• #91540 B5M to B5 Conversion Kit
• #90001B Limited Edition B5 Team Kit with B5M Conversion

Features:

• Narrowed composite tub chassis with centralized mass, optimized motor position, metric hardware, and fits R.O.A.R.-approved 2S saddle packs, 2S short packs, and 2S square packs
• Factory Team V2 12mm Big Bore threaded aluminum shocks with 3mm shock shafts and updated O-rings for improved smoothness
• Factory Team VTS (Variable Torque multi-plate Slipper) with three drive surfaces and high-resolution spring
• New transmission has stronger gears, precision ball bearings, and a 14 carbide ball differential for increased life and torque capacity
• New front suspension features heavy-duty steering and caster blocks, while the insert system allows for easy caster and trailing axle adjustments
• Adjustable front suspension mount angle kick-up options of 25 deg. and 30 deg. are included
• One-piece front axle/hex adapter and larger front wheel bearing for added durability
• Heavy-duty lubricated ball cups and optimized ball studs allow for maximum suspension travel while reducing binding and friction
• Updated full bearing steering system with horizontal ball studs for finer Ackermann adjustments
• Rear hubs feature larger bearings as well as the quick and easy insert system to adjust camber link position and rear toe-in
• B5 clear body and wing included

2013 RC10B5 Team:

   RC10 B5 Team Box Art - # 90001.

2013 RC10B5 Team Chassis:

   RC10 B5 Team Chassis.





   B5 Team Front Shock Mount and V2 Dampers.





   B5 Team Rear Shock Mount.



   Battery Strap.



   Motor guard and brushless motor.



   V2 12mm Big Bore threaded dampers.



   B5 front suspension with heavy-duty steering and caster blocks.





   B5 full bearing steering system.



   B5 Gearbox.

2016 RC10B5 to B5M Conversion:

   Limited Edition B5 Team Kit - #90001B - came with the B5 to B5M Conversion - #91539.

2016 RC10B5M to B5 Conversion:

   B5M to B5 Conversion kit - #91540.

   At present, the RC Model Manufacturers, Brands and Distributors covered by us are: ABC Hobby, Academy, Acme Racing, Agama Racing, Amewi, Ansmann Racing, ARRMA, Team Associated, Atomic RC, Axial, AYK, Bolink, BSD Racing, Capricorn, Carisma, Carson, Caster Racing, Cen, Corally, Custom Works, Durango, Duratrax, ECX - Electrix, Exceed RC, FG Modellsport, FS-Racing, FTX, Fujimi, Gmade, GS-Racing, Harm, HBX, Helion, Heng Long, Himoto Racing, Hirobo, Hitari, Hobao, Hong-Nor, Hot Bodies, HPI, HSP, Intech, Integy, Jamara, JQ Products, Kawada, Kyosho, Losi, LRP, Maisto, Mardave, Marui, Maverick, MCD Racing, Megatech, Mugen, New Bright, Nichimo, Nikko, Nkok, Ofna, Pro-Pulse, Protech, PTI, RC4WD, Redcat Racing, RJ-Speed, Robitronic, Schumacher, Seben, Serpent, Smartech, Sportwerks, Step-Up, Tamiya, Team-C Racing, Team Magic, Thunder Tiger, Tomy, Top Racing, Traxxas, Trinity, Tyco, Vaterra RC, Venom, VRX Racing, WLToys, X-Factory, Xmods, Xpress, Xray, XTM, Yankee RC, Yokomo, ZD Racing and Zipzaps.

   This is an ongoing project, with new and "lost in time" RC Models and Brands being added as they are found and although most of those listed above have been covered in relative detail, some are still being researched and will be completed in the near future.

Information and Advice

Electronic Speed Controllers

   ESC were originally developed to be used in conjunction with brushed 27T stock and modified motors in the late 1970s, early 1980s. Compared to modern day Controllers, they were Bulky and heavy, constructed using basic resistors, rheostats, capacitors and transistors, crammed together on a simple circuit board, to provide stepped but smooth acceleration when compared to the old mechanical, servo operated sweeper Speed Controllers. An Electronic Switch to change the direction of current flow was used on some of these early ESC to give reverse operation. Although they were a vast improvement on the old mechanical speedos of the time, they were expensive, jerky to control, and prone to burn out if not carefully looked after.

   As new technology became available, improvements were slowly made, and with the introduction of the new FET (Field Effect Transistors) and some basic mass produced silicon chips, ESC were made smaller and their reliability gradually improved.

   By the mid 1990s, "regenerative breaking" was developed. This meant that energy that would have been lost slowing down the car by effectively turning the motor into a generator, was harvested and put back into the battery. This of course was long before F1 had KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) and adjustable anti lock breaking was introduced.

Tires for Off-Road RC Models

   If you only ever intend to race your Buggy, Truggy or Truck at your local track each week end, you will soon learn the best tire - insert combination for your particular model on that specific track surface type. But if you ever visit other tracks in your area, or move on to the national or international race meetings, at other tracks throughout the country, you will soon discover that your trusty setup will not work as well, and you will be forced to invest in many more sets of wheels and tires.

   The choice of Off-Road tires available is mind boggling, and the combinations of Mini-Pin, Micro-Pin, Block, Stud and Ribbed Tires, with all the various types of foam inserts available is a mine field, even for the more experienced.