T.T.C. - Tamiya Torque Control
Accessory number 53087 which is identified as ‘Tamiya Torque Control’ is the first mechanical traction control system to be released on the market by Tamiya. TTC is a distant relative of the first clutch installed by Tamiya on the Quattro and Willy chassis.
Super Astute model number 58097 had it as factory equipment and could be installed on Astute model 58080, Madcap model 58082, Saint Dragon model 58083, Nissan King Cab model 58081 and the Toyota Hi-Lux Monster Racer model 58086.
The set consists of several parts.
The purpose of this system is to reduce the stress on the gears caused by sudden accelerations, abrupt decelerations and rough landings after jumps and bumps.
A rapid change in load on the driving wheels or a single driving wheel is immediately transferred to the first gear (pinion). The function of this system is to dissipate excess energy, which is absorbed through the clutch instead of being directly transferred to the gears. This ensures more efficient transmission of engine power during acceleration phases, reduces wear on parts during deceleration-acceleration phases and protects the system during landings.
The anti-slip clutch has two functions that compensate for the lack of grip between the surface and the wheels. The first function is to preserve the mechanics during jumps. When the model is airborne, the driving wheels rotate freely without the resistance of the ground, causing them to increase their rotational speed. During long jumps, the motor’s rotation speed is controlled by the operator to maintain the model’s balance and manage the landing angle. Upon touching the ground, the rotational speed of the wheels must quickly align with the actual speed of the model, leading to a sudden change in rotation speed. This puts strain on the transmission gears. This issue is less common in track models, which do not perform jumps high or long enough to cause a major difference between wheel rotation speed and the actual model speed. However, even during short jumps, the clutch remains effective, though its role is less noticeable.
The second function is to protect the gears from premature wear when the engine, during a sudden acceleration, increases rotation speed faster than the wheels can keep up. The same happens during abrupt deceleration. The clutch prevents the model from losing grip and avoids unnecessary stress on the gears.
This dual role ensures the mechanical integrity of the gearbox, where the most stressed gear is the engine’s pinion.
Based on these explanations, the clutch serves two purposes:
– It protects the gears from excessive torque.
– It helps maintain optimal traction on slippery surfaces.
Physically, the clutch system consists of two lateral discs (highlighted in green), which compress the central disc (highlighted in orange) with varying force. The clutch physically separates the larger main cylindrical gear (highlighted in blue in the image) from the smaller second gear (highlighted in red), as it is positioned between them. The slip between these two components is adjustable through the clutch regulation itself. The torque management function depends on the friction between the two lateral discs and the central disc.
To achieve optimal performance, it is necessary to adjust the slip. To find an initial working point for the anti-hop clutch, place the model on a table or a flat surface, turn on the electronics, lock the rear wheels with your hands and give a short acceleration. There are two possible outcomes:
– The model tends to move and the front end with the front wheels lifts off the surface (Following the red line traced in the image below).
– A noise is heard from the gearbox, indicating that the clutch has engaged and the front end of the model does not lift off the surface.
The best starting configuration is when the front end and front wheels lift slightly, losing contact with the surface. This is just an initial point, as the ideal setup depends on the track surface conditions and its grip level.
It is necessary to calibrate the clutch based on this factor. During this operation, care must be taken not to tighten the adjustment nut too much, as it could damage the three discs:
– Insert the wrench (follow the blue line) into the adjustment nut (highlighted in green).
– Tighten the clutch adjustment nut (red arrow) to optimize grip on high-adhesion surfaces.
– Loosen the clutch adjustment nut (orange arrow) to improve grip on slippery surfaces.
To find the best working point, this process must be repeated several times to achieve the optimal compromise. Start from a situation where the nut is tightly fastened (best for high-adhesion surfaces) and gradually loosen it until the model achieves the best traction on the specific surface it is running on. Be careful never to fully tighten the adjustment nut, as this could damage the three clutch discs.
