Kat - thanks for the feedback. I am going to try it at 1024 x 1024 and at 512 x 512. I will look into redoing the hydraulics. Something more like a quad atv style. Even if they don't lose definition in the normal map I now think they just look to weak.
Johny that is looking awesome. Great likeness Cant wait to see the textures' Got some freetime so i started a new model too. Some WW2 style thing - a SS officer. 2200 tris and 512*512 texture map. Hand painted WIP textures. Still a lot to do.
Tonight's exercise, creating an environment with a 256 normal, color, spec, and glow for a single 512 all together. materials http://chrisholden.net/utility_tex.jpg