Baja 5b or shorty Q Variant?

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Nova

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Hey everyone, newbie here, and I'm thinking of getting my first petrol powered RC.
Just for some background info, I have 2 nitros, ones a kyosho mini inferno st09, 1/16 scale, love that car to bits. Only issue don't know where to get the glow plugs from.
The other is a generic 1/10 scale nitro that I built from used parts I found for cheap randomly as that was my starting point for nitros. I also have a 1/8th scale hpi electric truck, but nothing in the 1/5th or 1/6th scale and nothing that runs on petrol.
Originally I wanted a 1/8th scale petrol RC buggy but apparently only a few were ever made and that too a while ago so not possible to get my hands on those, which brings me to the RTR Baja kits available now.
I have no experience with 2 stroke petrols so I'm not certain what I should go for, but out of the BAJA and BAJA Q Shorty variant, I prefer the shorty since I don't want something too big, so I'm wondering if it's a good idea to go for one of these BAJA Q RTR kits, swap the receiver to my own, and just go for it? What should I be looking out for and is a BAJA Q a poor choice for a newbie like me because of more difficult access for maintenance?

Also on a side note any recommendations for a guide video for maintenance to be done on getting a new BAJA like checking diff oil or the gear mesh and so on?

Any feedback is most welcome and sorry for the longas post 😅.
 
A shorty will pop a wheelie more often. Not that the full length is immune either, but the shorty will do it more and the more power you put into it the more wheelies your gonna get. Both good choices really just down to which handling characteristics you want.

I didn't have good luck with the stock radio, kept cutting out, so quickly swapped it for something more reliable.
 
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I have a shorty , it is a fun truck to blast around with and pop wheelies , do some donuts and what-not. Being 2wd it is a little limited though in slick conditions.
Overall a fun truck to play with but it isn't a race vehicle. Oh and it has taken a pretty good beating and comes back for more.
 
i got about four or six 5B's dismantled that need reassembly and i do have one orange shorty that's dismantled i got to put that thing back together one day as well.
here's a vid of my shorty when i put it back together i'll fit the new 2-speed there is also a 3-speed available as well i also want to do a tank mod so the tank sits in the chassis where the receiver box is.
4.webp

 
Pablo13 said:
A shorty will pop a wheelie more often. Not that the full length is immune either, but the shorty will do it more and the more power you put into it the more wheelies your gonna get. Both good choices really just down to which handling characteristics you want.

I didn't have good luck with the stock radio, kept cutting out, so quickly swapped it for something more reliable.
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Did it come with the FS-GT3B radio? Yeah that is a unreliable tx/Rx setup. I have one lying around that I have basically abandoned.

I guess Ill go for the standard version because as I checked it's a lot cheaper and also more controllable as u said. Plus better parts availability so.

I do have a question about the engine though, like should I try and get a better engine off the bat or is the 29cc stock one more then enough?


smokinwheel said:
I have a shorty , it is a fun truck to blast around with and pop wheelies , do some donuts and what-not. Being 2wd it is a little limited though in slick conditions.
Overall a fun truck to play with but it isn't a race vehicle. Oh and it has taken a pretty good beating and comes back for more.
Click to expand...

Thanks for Ur input. Since I'm a beginner at 5th scale RCs I'll go for something a bit more controllable. And other factors as I mentioned above 😊

Bogan Thunder said:
i got about four or six 5B's dismantled that need reassembly and i do have one orange shorty that's dismantled i got to put that thing back together one day as well.
here's a vid of my shorty when i put it back together i'll fit the new 2-speed there is also a 3-speed available as well i also want to do a tank mod so the tank sits in the chassis where the receiver box is.
View attachment 110449

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DAMN, that setup looks sick, where did U get the wheels and aluminium shock towers from? Sheesh. Also I saw the 3 speed gear setup. Maybe once I've run in my Baja I'll switch over too. Like that sound of the gear change more then anything ha ha 😆 what engine do u have in this one? Currently contemplating if the stock 29cc is enough for me.
 
Nova said:
is the 29cc stock one more then enough?
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For what the shorty is out of the box , I would say yes it is enough. Mine actually runs really well , sounds good , makes plenty of power for the smaller buggy and either blows the rear tires off it or pulls the front wheels off the ground.
So short answer "yes". Sure we all want more power but for what this thing cost and the way it runs is fine by me.
 
Bogan Thunder said:
i bought it used and it came with the alloy towers they have no brand name and are probably from china and the wheels and tyres are louise.


i'm not sure it has no brand name it's probably a chinese engine.

View attachment 110453
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I guess I can find the aluminium towers later on. Ordered the Q Baha. Can't wait. Btw what kind of glass fiber do u use for the exhaust and does that actually do any noise reduction? Coz I've heard these are louder then nitros.

I'm also thinking of ordering a remote kill switch. Not sure how it works but how hard can it be ha ha.

Any other worthwhile upgrades?

Also what do U think of adding a gyro receiver to it?
 
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Nova said:
Btw what kind of glass fiber do u use for the exhaust and does that actually do any noise reduction? Coz I've heard these are louder then nitros.
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the heat wrap on the exhaust was already on it but i will remove it when i start rebuilding it because if touched with bare hand you will get splinters and it hell annoying...it really doesn't effect the exhaust sound it's still loud.
 
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