Psycho-Tek Carbon Fiber T-Maxx Chassis

Testing and Final Thoughts

The Art's Hobby carbon-fiber T-Maxx chassis plate is an excellent piece of workmanship. It's thicker than the stock chassis plate, yet due to the design and the fact it's carbon-fiber it's also lighter. The carbon-fiber also provides a plate that is much more rigid than the stock plate as well.

Carbon-fiber is well known for it's strength, and while it can be broken it's very rare for that to happen. Many racers actually prefer carbon fiber over aluminum and plastic due to the fact that carbon-fiber cannot become "tweaked" in an impact. Usually the carbon-fiber will walk away unscathed, while aluminum or plastic could be bent. Obviously the thickness of the carbon-fiber sheet affects how strong the part is overall, and with this being milled out of 4 mm carbon-fiber it is very strong.

The strength of this part was put to the ultimate test, some serious hardcore bashing. Out of all the punishment anything I've tested has endured, this chassis has seen the worst abuse I've dealt out to this date. During the testing phase, the truck that received this plate has been flipped, barrel-rolled, and involved in high-speed head-on collisions. However that doesn't even begin to describe the severity of the impacts it's suffered. Due to this abuse, there's been two upper suspension arms, a front bulkhead, several suspension pins, and a motor mount replaced in a period of around two weeks. Despite the abuse the truck has seen, the Art's Hobby chassis has walked perfectly intact. From my vantage point that affirms this part is not only good for the racer by shedding weight, but is also strong enough for the backyard basher as well.

The only fault I can see with the Art's Hobby carbon fiber chassis is there are only three colors available. I know there will be a lot of people who would also like to see the plate made in red or some other color that they've trimmed their truck out in. I'd also think a natural carbon-fiber look would be a big hit as well. I will say that despite the fact that only a few colors are available, colored carbon-fiber is a concept I've rarely seen. Normally I would have let the small color selection affect my scoring on looks. However since colored carbon-fiber is a unique perspective at the time this is being written, I've decided to not let it affect the scoring in that category.

The Art's Hobby carbon-fiber chassis plate is a very tough and lightweight replacement for the stock T-Maxx plate. I've been very impressed with the durability, fit, and finish of this part during the time I've used it. I wouldn't hesitate for a moment, to recommend it to anyone looking to replace the stock plate for something more durable, or someone looking to shed some weight. In addition to that, it's very reasonably priced as well.

Durability 10 Fit 10 Looks 10 Quality 10 Value 10

Overall Score 10

Rants	Raves

Only Three Colors Available

Very Strong Colored Carbon-Fiber Provides A Different Look Lighter Than Stock Provides Better Airflow Around Motor And Exhaust Price

Reviewed 02.24.2004