So, the FTX Banzai is a cracking value RTR 1/10 as it comes out the box, but with all the upgrades I have done to mine, is it worth it? It’s the first time I have done upgrades like this to any RC car so it was used as a bit of research and also to see how far we could go with the Banzai.
The first thing I changed on the car was the body and wheels and tyres. This is something most people do when they buy a Banzai in the shop, as lets be honest the body isn’t that nice, but it’s functional and a body that you won’t be too fussed at damaging as a basher body. I got a killerbody Subaru Impreza WRC body and some HPI wheels and tyres to put on the car, which totally transforms the look of the car.
The next upgrades were the carbon and aluminium optional extras that FTX make for the Banzai. The parts all come with any additional screws etc that maybe required when replacing the parts which is really good. The difference the aluminium and carbon parts make to the look of the car are huge. It really does look a premium RC car when you look at the car with all its carbon and aluminium components sitting on the carbon fibre chassis.
The last (and most exciting) upgrade to the Banzai was replacing the standard brushed motor and esc with a hobbywing Max10 3300kv Combo. I wanted to do this so it would make it a very quick 1/10 touring car and while I could have gone for a higher kv motor to get even higher top speeds, I wanted to find a nice balance of speed, but also have the car stable at speed too, and not finding the car a handful and easy to lose control when it gets to higher speeds. The acceleration is much better on the car now, and when doing speed run comparisons between brushed and brushless, the Banzai will now do 26mph on the 3300kv motor which I was a bit disappointed with but I will try to increase the top speed by changing the spur and pinion gears for much higher top speeds. The difference in the power is great though!
While the price of the upgraded parts and motor and esc combo will take it to quite a fair price, the car is certainly unique now and massive fun. The Banzai is a great piece of kit out the box, but the upgrades take it to a whole new level. You may only want to upgrade one or two of the aluminium and carbon parts whenever the standard plastic items need replacing, but the hobbywing Max10 3300kv Combo is definitely something I would recommend doing but you will need to look at changing the gearing from standard to get a much higher top speed on this..
If I was to do it all again, I would prioritise the upgrades as below
1 - Body
2 - Wheels & Tyres
3 - Hobbywing Max10 3300kv Brushless System
4 - Aluminium and Carbon Upgradable Parts
It’s been so much fun doing the work on this Banzai and will give me plenty of fun using it outside at work in the summer!
