Pimp Your VDF (part 1)

Alright!! When we are talking about VDF, we mustn't forget about dress-up for your lovely VDF (like i do :D). Well, cut the chit-chat and check this list below :D

note: hop-up parts that enlisted below only covers few important parts, so it's not all parts will be displayed.

SQUARE (www.rc-square.com)

High Traction Carbon Chassis (SVD-1)

2mm thickness carbon chassis with specially designed chassis layout for maximum traction and roll on front and rear end of the TA05 VDF.

Rear Belt Counter Drift (SVD-156R, SVD-157R, SVD-158R)

This is the most important parts on every belt-driven RC. For TA05 VDF, may i remind you, standard rear belt on VDF is 474-158T (SVD-158R). For CS setup, Square offers many option for rear belt, starting from 468-156T (SVD-156R) and 471-157T (SVD-157R).

Front Belt Counter Drift (SVD-173F, SVD-174F, SVD-175F)

This is the most important parts on every belt-driven RC. For TA05 VDF, may i remind you, standard front belt on VDF is 219-73T (SVD-173F). For CS setup, Square offers many option for rear belt, starting from 222-74T (SVD-174F) and 225-75T (SVD-175F).

Aluminium Front Vertical Upper Frame (SVD-11F Blue/SVD-11FG Gold)One of the important parts to increase chassis rigidity which is helps VDF handle slow-speed corner and increase stability on high-speed sweeper. RECOMMENDED ITEM.

Hard Steel Center Shaft (SVD-17)
You really, really need this part if you're gonna used alumunium center pulleys, since it has additional two notches to secure the pulley's set screw. Stock center shaft didn't have the notches for center pulleys, only one notch for pulley holder. RECOMMENDED ITEM.

Aluminium 1-piece Motor Mount (SVD-20 Blue/SVD-20G Gold)
Replace stock motor mount which comes as 2-piece, motor plate and motor mount frame. This new motor mount have new motor screw which angled near to spur gear.With this motor mount, VDF user have new selection of spur gear and pinion gear combination which leads to more FDR will be acquired. RECOMMENDED ITEM.

Aluminium Bulkhead Set (STA-075G Gold)

Strengthening your chassis rigidity and add more weight. You need 2 set of these bulkheads to change all of the plastic bulkheads on VDF. Comes in Blue, Silver, and Gold colors.

Aluminium C-Hub w/ 8* Caster, -3* Camber (STV-136RG)

Aluminium C-Hub w/ 10* Caster, -3* Camber (STV-236RG)

Drift battle nowadays combining technical and long sweeper circuit in one go. With more & more intense in drift battle (more angle, more speed, more attack), makes every VDF user have to improve their handling performance, especially after you have upgraded the maximum steering angle. This high caster degree angle is a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED item. I love the 8* caster on my VDF, it's more than enough with CS ratio between 1.6x to 1.8x.

Aluminium Rear Hub w/ 0* Toe-in (STV-44MSS Silver/STV-44MSG Gold)

Aluminium Rear Hub w/ 1* Toe-in (STV-45MSG Gold)

This aluminium rear hub increase precision for rear wheel. And with added 1* of Toe-in, definitely helpful when drifting with high CS ratio like 1.9x and above, to increase rear swing stability.

Aluminium Bumper Support (STV-8D)

Nice touch of aluminium part on bumper area. Beside adding style for your old plastic bumper support, this item also increase overall weight on the front wheel. More weight, more grip, and more handling.

Aluminium Spur Gear Holder (SVD-16 Blue/SVD-16G Gold)

Replace your stock spur gear holder with these new spur gear holder with molded fan blade that help reducing motor temperature a little bit. With solid design make it stronger than stock holder. Secure your spur with spur gear cover (included) to increase overall weight and torque.

Aluminium Center Belt Tensioner (SVD-24 Blue/SVD-24G Gold)

Some of you maybe already know that there is serious trouble when CSing your VDF with bigger center pulley (21,22, etc) to rear solid axle. Bigger the pulley, the lower part of the belt will scratch the motor can, and damage both your rear belt. Some modification occur which move bearing tensioner on the center of the rear vertical upper deck to the rear end motor mount. Square finally come up with idea, make aluminium part insert in the middle of the motor mount frame and install bearing tensioner. The rear belt will pass clearly through the motor can and stock bearing tensioner bar have to move back to the original position to support the rear upper deck. RECOMMENDED ITEM.

Aluminium Knuckle (SVD-35 Blue/ SVD-35G Gold)

This knuckle design came from original knucle and the knuckle extension. Precision handling will be signifcant than plastic knuckle. RECOMMENDED ITEM.

Aluminium Spring Retainer (TGE-112EB Blue/TGE-112EG Gold)
New spring retainer have larger outer diameter while maintained inner diameter. You could use original VDF chrome spring or utilize better spring selection with Streetjam/RC-Art/T&E/Team Bomber. It also makes your VDF look cooler. If you want more from your VDF, combine those special spring with this spring retainer. RECOMMENDED ITEM.

Aluminium Upper Frame Mount for Rear Bulkhead (SVD-39 Blue/SVD-39G Gold)

New design for stock upper frame mount. With built-in bearing tensioner post will help rear belt routed well for VDF with CS. Bearing tensioner sold separatedly.

Wide Angle Universal Shaft (TGE-544SP 44mm/TGE-540SP/TGE-542SP/TGE-546SP)

More drift angle means one thing, more steering angle. Stock VDF universals only goes for 45*. This special universals have maximum opening up to 60* and 55* optimum angle. Because of high quality material has been used, you can rest assured that this universal would last longer and more durable, strong against bend on the dogbone and reduce steering chatter because of smooth joint movement. This is RECOMMENDED ITEM, use 44mm up front.

Coming soon, lust list for VDF from Overdose, Japan :D

Stay tune. Keep Drifting!

Tips & Trick Setting VDF

Oke, sedikit tips dan trik untuk setting VDF.

1. Jangan hilangkan spring asli bawaan VDF. Itu spring plg cocok sama karakter VDF.

2. Kalau galau sama settingan shock sebelumnya, coba kuras total oli shocknya. Kasih oli dgn nilai yg sama (recommended: oli 300-400 atau 30W-35W)

3. Kalau mau investasi spring, coba cari spring set Streetjam yg Soft Select. Depan harus lebih keras dari belakang. Jangan ragu kalau terpaksa pake yg hard.

4. Posisi angle shock di VDF ngaruh banget. Depan harus lebih berdiri daripada posisi shock belakang. Posisi shock tegak bikin grip berkurang, posisi shock rebah bikin grip bertambah

5. Camber. Banyak yg terlalu sering merubah camber tapi shock tidak di rubah. Bukan salah, tp rata2 banyak gak dapetnya. Menurut saya, rubah camber benar2 perlu jika situasi surface berubah2. Camber hanya pengaruh ke jumlah grip. Ban apapun, makin camber makin kurang gripnya.

6. Setting paling mudah di sekitar shock itu atur ride height lewat uliran di bodi shock. Pemahaman umum: ulir shock makin kebawah (spring ditekan) karakter spring jd lebih keras. (faktanya, ride height ditinggikan). Hal ini juga berlaku kebalikannya. ulir shock makin di longgarkan ke atas (ride height turun) bikin spring lebih soft dan karakter gripnya bertambah.

7. Banyak yg berusaha untuk membuat chassis VDF lebih fleksibel lewat pengurangan jumlah sekrup di upper deck. Hal itu bisa, tp sebenarnya tidak perlu untuk dilakukan. Krn karakter rigidnya chassis tersebut justru bikin body roll lebih stabil dan gripnya lebih mantap dan mudah untuk drift di tikungan yg cukup sempit dan patah2  asal sudah memahami karakter throttle di VDF. Menurut saya, chassis rigid punya karakter throttle yg perlu dipelajari lebih dalam lagi.

Sementara itu dulu yg bisa saya tambahkan. Ada info baru, akan segera di tambahkan kesini.

VDF Setup Data #2

VDF Setup Data #2

Kit: TA05 VDF Gold Edition

Surface: Carpet

Tyre: Streetjam PC / RC-Art 5004

Wheel: Topline MARS Drift Fighter (+7)

ESC: Novak Havoc 3S

Motor: Novak Ballistic 10.5R

Rotor: Novak Rotor 13mm
Servo: Savox

Battery: Zippy 4000mAh 25C

Bodyshell: Yokomo Team FNATZ JZX100

Gearing: 129T 64P / 36T 64P
Pulleys: 36T/16T/22T/30T
CS Ratio: 1.65x

Front

Camber: -8

Caster: 8

Toe: +1 (F: 1A, R: 1A)

Droop: 3mm

Kickup: -

Ballast: -

Ride Height: 6mm

Damper Oil: Team Losi 50W

Damper Piston: 3

Damper Bushing: n/a

Damper Spring: stock
Damper Rebound: VDFlab Style #1 (No Rebound)

Shock Tower: Yeah Racing 4 Slot

Lower Arm: Square Alumunium Arm (for VDF)

Upper Damper Mount: #3 from outer slot.

Lower Damper Mount: #2 from outer slot.
Wheel Hub: Alumunium 4mm
Wheel Spacer: -

Rear

Camber: 4

Caster: -

Toe: -2.5 (F: 1XA, R: 1D)

Droop: -

Kickup: -

Ballast: -

Ride Height: 8mm

Damper Oil: Team Losi 60W

Damper Piston: 3

Damper Bushing: n/a

Damper Spring: MST Super Soft
Damper Rebound: VDFlab Style #1 (No rebound)

Shock Tower: 3Racing 5 Slot

Lower Arm: Square Alumunium Arm (for VDF)

Upper Damper Mount: #2 from outer slot.

Lower Damper Mount: #1 from outer slot.

Wheel Hub: Alumunium 4mm

Wheel Spacer: 1 mm

Note:

Seting kali ini khusus untuk ban dengan tingkat kekerasan paling tinggi dan karakter sirkuit ke arah hi-speed drift. Mainkan adjuster shock (uliran per) untuk mencari karakter grip yang di inginkan.

VDF Setup Data #1

Kit: TA05 VDF Gold Edition

Surface: Carpet

Tyre: DS F-zero

Wheel: Kazama M11X (+8)

ESC: Novak Havoc 3S

Motor: Novak Ballistic 10.5R

Rotor: Novak Rotor 13mm
Servo: Savox

Battery: Zippy 4000mAh 25C

Bodyshell: Yokomo Laurel C35

Gearing: 128T 64P / 32T 64P
Pulleys: 38T/16T/22T/30T
CS Ratio: 1.74x

Front

Camber: -8 to -10

Caster: 8

Toe: +1 (F: 1A, R: 1A)

Droop: -

Kickup: -

Ballast: -

Ride Height: 4mm

Damper Oil: Team Losi 50W

Damper Piston: 3

Damper Bushing: n/a

Damper Spring: stock
Damper Rebound: VDFlab Style #1

Shock Tower: Yeah Racing 4 Slot

Lower Arm: Square Alumunium Arm (for VDF)

Upper Damper Mount: #2 from outer slot.

Lower Damper Mount: #1 from outer slot.
Wheel Hub: Alumunium 4mm
Wheel Spacer: 0.5mm

Rear

Camber: 0

Caster: -

Toe: -2.5 (F: 1XA, R: 1D)

Droop: -

Kickup: -

Ballast: -

Ride Height: 7mm

Damper Oil: Muchmore 200

Damper Piston: 3

Damper Bushing: n/a

Damper Spring: Stock
Damper Rebound: VDFlab Style #1

Shock Tower: 3Racing 5 Slot

Lower Arm: Square Alumunium Arm (for VDF)

Upper Damper Mount: #1 from outer slot.

Lower Damper Mount: Stabilizer slot.

Wheel Hub: Alumunium 4mm

Wheel Spacer: -

Option Part
Eagle Racing Alumunium Bulkhead (Gold)
Eagle Racing Alumunium Front Knuckle (Gold)
Eagle Racing Alumunium Rear Hub (Gold)
Eagle Racing High Angle Steering Convertion Kit (Gold)
Square Wide Angle Universal Shaft 44mm
Square Spur Gear Adaptor + Cover (Gold)
Square Alumunium Front Upper Deck (Gold)
Square 8 Degree C-Hub (Gold)
Square Front Alumunium TA05 VDF Suspension Arm (Gold)
Square Rear Alumunium TA05 VDF Suspension Arm (Gold)
Tamiya Gold Ball Stud
Yeah Racing TA05 Front Shock Tower
3Racing TA05 Rear Shock Tower
3Racing TA05 Front One-way Unit (Blue)

Note:
Grip, slow-speed drift, wall-tap bagus sekali. Handling kit dipengaruhi 100% oleh braking agar ngga under dan mempercepat switchback.

VDFlab. Diary. #1.

TA05 VDF, si "Itik Buruk Rupa".


TA05 VDF, kita persingkat jadi VDF, merupakan produk terbaru dari keluarga TA05 setelah TA05 V2, sekaligus sebagai pasukan baru di jajaran kit drift Tamiya Inc. Tamiya punya harapan tinggi terhadap VDF, dan ngga tanggung-tanggung, Tamiya memberikan tag name "High Performance Drift Kit". NAMUN, tag name tersebut tidak menunjukkan performanya sebagai kit drift yang berperforma tinggi. Kemunculan awal, cukup membuat gempar drifter diseluruh dunia, tak terkecuali fans setia Tamiya. Tak lama, kegemparan dunia mengenai VDF langsung surut perlahan-lahan. Dari yang dibanggakan, menjadi sesuatu yang dilupakan atau di olok2.


VDF pertama kali keluar berwarna biru. Ditambah dominasi chassis serat karbon 2mm yang lebar di bagian lower deck dan kembar sejajar di upper deck, seakan-akan jadi pembanding VDF dengan kit drift lainnya yang memiliki layout yang sama, yaitu Front Mid-Ship motor layout. Disinilah juga, VDF mendapat review negatif dari berbagai pihak hingga banyak pihak menciptakan konversi baru agar lower deck sedikit lebih fleksibel (lebih tipis lebarnya, dan lubang di chassis makin banyak) sedangkan upper deck di rubah total menjadi tidur untuk meningkatkan handling dan akselerasi dari VDF. Tujuannya? memperbaiki performa VDF agar lebih mudah digunakan (sekaligus mengolok-olok Tamiya).


Oke, berbicara soal review, VDF lebih banyak minusnya daripada positifnya (positifnya hanya ketersediaan spare part asli dan after market yang lebih dari cukup dan lebih murah). Kalo mau di runut sih...
1. Terlalu rigid = karakternya terlalu liar, sama sekali tidak bisa smooth (mitos?),
2. Distribusi berat masih condong ke belakang (ini yang bikin VDF jago di long drift),
3. Steering angle kurang besar untuk drifting dengan style counter-steering,
4. Bobot kosong kit cukup berat (ada perdebatan antara kit ringan dan berat),
5. Motor mount kurang mengakomodir pilihan pinion yang kecil,
6. Dengan konfigurasi CS, belt belakang bersentuhan dengan motor,
7. Tamiya tidak mengeluarkan option part berupa pilihan spring khusus untuk Drift yang membutuhkan spring yang lembut dan empuk,
8. Karakter switchback lambat, 
9. bla bla bla...(akan di cari terus kok kekurangannya)

VDFlab. Sekilas Pandang.

Please read me first!!
Blog ini ditulis semata-mata didedikasikan kepada salah satu produk Tamiya yang saya kagumi, yaitu TA05 VDF. Dan berharap (sambil ngimpi) bisa di undang Tamiya Jepang untuk liat bagaimana tim R&Dnya mereka mendesain TA05 VDF.


Apalah arti sebuah nama.
VDFlab dicetuskan oleh callmeyas (user ID Kaskus.us) setelah memiliki sebuah kit drift yang bernama TA05 VDF. VDF sendiri berarti Vertical Double Frame. Ada alasan kenapa callmeyas memilih TA05 VDF. Antara lain:

(1) Bosan dengan kit berbahan plastik
(2) Bosan dengan kit berlayout Rear Mid Ship (RMS)
(3) Penasaran dengan penilaian drifter-drifter yang lebih jago dari callmeyas yang bilang "VDF itu kit drift gagal"

Timing belinya juga tepat, pada waktu Tamiya meluncurkan TA05 VDF GOLD. "It's GOLD, baby!!"


How "it" works.
VDFlab tidak berjalan sendiri, callmeyas dibantu RC drifter lainnya yang pernah pakai atau pernah punya VDF dalam meriset VDF. Sisanya, semedi di mbah Google, katanya. Dan sampai blog ini ditulis, VDFlab memang belum menelurkan inovasi produk untuk para VDFholic, tapi sudah menemukan beberapa setting yang cocok dengan karakter chassis VDF.

Don't judge the book by it's cover.
Yup, sejalan dengan waktu hingga blog ini ditulis, callmeyas berhasil menorehkan beberapa prestasi yang membanggakan dan membuat orang penasaran dengan performa VDF. Di balik segudang kelemahan VDF yang perlu di riset oleh VDFlab, ternyata VDFlab menyimpan harta terpendam yang mungkin tidak semua menyangkanya (kecuali VDFholic tentu). Tentu saja lambat laun, VDF yang di anggap produk gagal, dapat bersinar layaknya kit drift masa kini dan dapat diterima oleh banyak RC drifter di seantero Indonesia.

FYI...
Mungkin hanya Indonesia yang menilai VDF seperti itu. End.

another FYI...
Ini hanyalah blog yang sepenuhnya di dedikasikan untuk kit kesayangan saya, Tamiya TA05 VDF Gold.