TB-01 / TT-02 / XV-01 Body Shell compatibility

[Drb99]

Hi all, I've just joined so this is my 2nd post (so be gentle!)

 

After a break of over 30 years (Uni, women, wife, kids, several houses, and real cars - expensive stuff) I'm getting another RC car.   Back in the day (1980's) I had several Tamiya buggies plus a Mid Optima.   Nothing too serious, though I did race at my local club (but never won anything!).

 

Anyway  - I've bought a new, unused (but built up) Tamiya TB-01 Subaru Impreza (2000 Arai version) complete with Acoms radio gear, ESC, battery, charger, cockpit set, spare (new) Lotus Elise Motorsport HPI body shell,  spare wheels etc.   It was a great price - the guy just wanted it gone I think,  despite literally never using it.    The Subaru shell is still new and unpainted.   It's all currently in transit - hasn't arrived yet.

 

I did a fair bit of reading and from what I can tell, the TB-01 is pretty robust and has a strong following.  But I'm a bit concerned about spares availability.  And I really want the '99 Monte Carlo (Richard Burns) decals on the shell, rather than the very busy looking Arai ones.  I loved going to rallies in the 1990s / 2000s and it would be a great nod to Burns, who is sadly missed.   Plus I had a rally blue Impreza Turbo back in the day too.  

 

So I started looking at the TT-02 as there's a '99 version.  Then I read reviews saying it's entry level and after spending on upgrades (bearings, shocks, rally block tyres etc) I may as well buy an XV-01.

 

Thing is, there's no XV-01 Impreza with the '99 shape/decals.    The Lancia Delta Integrale is however very appealing - it's just as iconic as the Impreza...

 

So I figured I could buy an XV-01 Integrale, sell the TB-01 on, but keep the radio gear, ESC (perhaps - depends what it is) and the body shell.   But that still doesn't give me the lovely '99 Impreza decals.....

 

After reading this far you're all thinking "what do you want to use it for - display, bashing, rallying or light road use etc" right?     Well it's a bit of everything I think - whenever I have time/inclination, I'll jump in the car and take it out for a blast somewhere.   But I want to keep it nice - like my cars (I'm a Lotus nut!).

 

Anyway - I'm a bit confused about what to do - so my first question is this - will the Impreza body shell with the TB-01 kit fit the TT-02 or XV-01 ?    Is it basically the same as the one on the TT-02, or is it narrower (I'm sure I've read somewhere that a 190mm body is too wide for a TB-01)?

 

Any help would be much appreciated, it it will greatly help me to decide what to do.   My head says keep the TB-01 , heart says pinch the body, radio, wheels etc and get the XV-01 Integrale and a '99 Impreza decal set - that also gives me the nice job of doing the build......

 

......here are a few photos showing the options that I'm talking about.....(yes I know the Integrale has been lowered, but boy,  does it look good!)

Edited October 3, 2021 by Drb99

[Shergar]

Honest opinion ? The Xv is any great shakes better than a TT02 chassis - both will fill up with shingle and debris regardless! 

 

https://www.timetunnelmodels.com/live/catalog/tamiya-58631-subaru-impreza-monte-carlo-1999-without-custom-deal-bundle-p-59181.html

 

Buy one of these, get the cheapest radio, the cheapest water proof servo and ESC, a tin on Tamiya blue PS paint, a couple of 3300 nimh batteries and a set of ball bearings. Then hop it up as you need to/break it - keep the lovely incoming TB01 for gentle use and rag the life out the new TT02 👍 This is exactly what I did earlier this year after a similar layoff from RC and I found I enjoyed getting the car wet, muddy more than going flat out so moved onto crawlers. 

 

Have a watch of these videos too:

 

 

[TurnipJF]

16 hours ago, Drb99 said:

Anyway - I'm a bit confused about what to do - so my first question is this - will the Impreza body shell with the TB-01 kit fit the TT-02 or XV-01 ?    Is it basically the same as the one on the TT-02, or is it narrower (I'm sure I've read somewhere that a 190mm body is too wide for a TB-01)?

 

The chassis you mention are all the same wheelbase, and their track width is within a few mm of identical, so the shells are all cross compatible. If the wheels appear too recessed into the arches for your liking, this can be addressed with longer axles with thicker hexes and/or wheels with greater offset.

[JupiterTwo]

My vote would be for an XV01. It’s a more complex/rewarding build than the TT02, and you end up with a vehicle that handles more like a rally car. The front motor position really helps it behave as you might expect, making it more fun in my eyes. 
 

for the body:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Choice-Of-New-Tamiya-1-10-Touring-Car-Body-For-190x257mm-w-b-TT01-TT02-TL01-/401805943431?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

 

if that isn’t direct, use the picker and he has a 99 bodyset.

 

however, it’s a lot more expensive for £230 + £43 vs the £104 that @Shergarsuggested, and there’s lots of fun to be had there too. Sat on the shelf looking pretty, there’s no difference  🙂

 

Or as some would say, buy both… 😄