FLM Stampede Kit |
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FLM Stampede Kit
The Next Evolution of Your Favorite R/C
As published in R/C Car Magazine November 2007
by Tony Arnold - StampedeProject.com
Admit it, the Traxxas Stampede is about as fun as a bashing truck gets, however it could still be stronger, a heck of a lot more adjustable, a tad longer for high speed stability, ... ohh and definitely shinier. Enter the coolest and strongest Stampede you can own - the completely machined 6061 T-6 aluminum Extended Chassis Stampede kit from FLM (Fast Lane Machine). Pull key parts from your stock Pede and drop them in the FLM kit and you now have pro level adjustability, absurd durability, and a bling factor that will stun your friends.
About FLM
Jamie McDaniel started FLM almost by accident due to his machining experience and a friend's simple request for stronger aluminum milled R/C truck arms. Once the first parts were made, more requests came in, and as they say the rest is history. Now three years later, FLM makes a variety of parts and kits full time for various R/C's including their all time best selling model, the extended chassis Stampede kit. According to Jamie, "FLM has focused on offering durable high-performance milled aluminum parts. Many of our parts, such as the chassis and shock towers, are even lighter than stock." With typical aluminum aftermarket parts these days being four or more times the price of stock, FLM's value will surprise you with most parts priced at about twice that of the equivalent stock part. They go a step further than just high strength stock replacements and add some great design solutions to nagging problems. For example, their front and rear Stampede/Rustler shock towers feature over a dozen shock mount locations, additional camber mounts, front bulkhead provides length adjustability with two chassis mount locations and the front arms also provide extra shock mounting positions for further tuning. Always innovating, FLM supplied 1/4" thick prototypes of what I have to believe are the world's strongest most bulletproof hardened aluminum CVD (
Parts and Options
The kit is more of an a la carte' option list. There are several chassis length and arm options, but I choose the extended chassis for high speed stability and the FLM Racing Arm set which provides a wider than stock stance but allows the use of stock wheel offsets. Aside from the transmission case being a true work of art, the included rear arm mounts in the transmission kit are available with 1 or 4 degree toe-in options. The front and rear chassis braces top off the kit to lock everything down.
As shown on this dyed Rustler, the parts are available separately as stock replacements and are interchangeable with a Rustler/Bandit. With the simple addition of FLM shock towers to a stock Stampede, Rustler, or Bandit, tuning and adjustability is taken to a new dimension for these bashing focused R/C's. It should be noted that although the transmission, chassis, and braces will work individually as stock replacements, these three part sets are intended for use in a full kit. One other FLM part I picked up was the Nitro Rustler caster block and stock front Nitro axles. This upgrade make things simple going forward so that standard front in-wheel bearings wheels such as the Pro-Line set pictured can be used.
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FLM Parts in Kit
> Extended Stampede chassis
> Stampede brace kit
> Front bulkhead
> Racing arm kit with tiebar brace
> Front and rear shock towers
> Transmission kit with 4 degree toe in
> Prototype CVDs
> Skid Plate Kit
> Nitro Front Caster Block
> All screws, pins, and camber linkages needed are included.
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Assembly
I used the electrics and tranny parts from my 2006 Stampede. With the exception of the painful to adjust but the cool looking and durable black links, everything in the kit screwed together perfectly with the included machine screws, hardened kingpins and links - absolute precision.
Sure stock would work but have you even known me to leave anything alone? Upgrades including a Mamba Max 5700 brushless motor/ESC system, dual A123 2s packs (13.2V), RPM Stampede rear bearing carriers with 5x11 bearings and Pro-Line H2 body, Dirt Works tires, and wheels. I managed to get most of the paint in the right place on the Pro-Line H2 body - hey I'm a fabricator not a painter. I just couldn't put plastic body posts on this beautiful beast, so I whipped up some aluminum body mounts to carry forward the aluminum theme.
Assured Tough
Even with what would be termed as unwarrantee-able behavior, the FLM kit took a beating and asked for more, however that's where FLM is different. FLM states they are not making showpieces and offers the warranty statement that "If you bend it, break it, or break off a screw in it, we will replace it for a fraction of the cost. Generally only the cost of shipping and handling." Yep you got it, not only will every beautifully machined part dazzle your drooling friends, but it will also deliver super natural durability with a warranty to back up your bragging.
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Testing Conditions
Pretty much everywhere - Local Track, street, backyard, the golf course, my dog's "drop zone", and a multitude of vacant lots.
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Testing
The stock Stampede is a great truck, but by far not the best racing chassis. The FLM setup greatly changed my perspective on how good the old Stampede can be if it could be tuned. This kit will now hold the attention of those that advanced past Stampede's tuning capabilities. The more stable extended chassis and the adjustability of the FLM parts significantly improved the control, stability, and handling of the Stampede. With a 50+mph Mamba Max and A123 power on tap and assured durability, all that power did make me a little reckless while bashing and on the track - sorry to the guy in the 1/8th scale buggy by the way, you were just too slow. I did some absolutely moronic stuff while testing and the FLM kit seemed to just dare me to do more. If you want to own the tank of RC's, this might be it.
WHAT DID WE LIKE?
A beautifully detail laden machined Stampede that addresses almost every shortcoming of the original Stampede design and offers amazing durability and warranty all at a great price. Fully assembly with all my upgrades, the kit only slightly heavier than stock however the adjustability and durability of the FLM design is well worth the weight trade off.
WHAT WOULD WE CHANGE?
As a small rapidly growing business, FLM is still working on its service and documentation so be patient. The links were painful to setup. A couple full kit offerings to make the buying decision a little easier and less confusing and FLM decals.
CONCLUSION
Thinking back this kit could have saved me a bundle of cash on broken parts, buy FLM replacements once and you are done. The FLM parts preserve the simplicity of the Stampede while providing the more advanced user a host of tuning options that elevate the Stampede to a surprisingly competitive class. For the posers that just want shelf queen, buying the $290 FLM kit is a deal, for the basher and track thrasher the FLM Stampede kit and outstanding warranty makes your favorite R/C even more versatile, durable, adjustable, shiny and most importantly the envy of you friends. Let us all rejoice, as many higher-end kits don't even feature this much adjustability or durability.
THE FINAL CALL
> Highs - Great show quality machining, high strength, pro level adjustability, and a great warranty. Some parts lighter than stock. Custom parts and finishes are available options.
> Lows - Some pieces are a little heavier than stock. Links. Full kit options would be easier. Where are my decals?
> Final Call - Bashing-topia!
SPECS Type: FLM Kit as tested: $290, Class Rivals: Stock,
SOURCES: FLM (Fast Lane Machine)www.FastLaneMachine.com, A123 Racing www.A123Racing.com , Castle Creations www.CastleCreations.com, A123 Racing www.CastleCreations.com, Pro-Line Racing www.Pro-LineRacing.com, Traxxas www.Traxxas.com, RPM Racing www.RPMrcproducts.com
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