Converted PRP Swift

[tcolesen]

A little while ago while searching for a roller 1/8 buggy to convert to electric, I happened upon a PRP Swift that a guy was selling for $90. So, I took it, and the rest is history.

Here it is, with the radio tray and fuel tank stripped from the chassis:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/PRP%20Swift/IMG_3362.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/PRP%20Swift/IMG_3367.jpg
(it didn't come with the rear center bulkhead inserts, but I didn't need them)
And a comparison with my Dark Impact (1/10 4wd buggy):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/PRP%20Swift/IMG_3368.jpg

Now for its current stage:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/PRP%20Swift/IMG_3669.jpg
The electronics corner:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/PRP%20Swift/IMG_3674.jpg
You can somewhat see the Mamba Max there. I haven't pushed it too hard yet, but once I get some new batteries I have a feeling that I might need to put a fan on it. You can see the Novak XXL receiver there. The servo is a Tower Pro MG995 (200oz./in. and 0.13sec.). It says digital on it, so I'll assume that's what it is. What intrigued me to get it is that I got two of them for only $30! So far this servo is working excellently, and even if it does burn out, I still have another one! Also in the picture is the UBEC from http://www.xushobby.com but with clear shrink wrap. This device lets me disable the BEC on the Mamba Max since the on-board BEC can't take 4s Lipo.

The motor and ESC plates:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/PRP%20Swift/IMG_3675.jpg
My style of conversion involves making a custom motor plate and ESC plate that replace the stock pieces. This time I was too lazy to make the rear center bulk out of aluminum, but there's no need to. The ESC plate is made to hold a Mtroniks Truck with two bars similar to how I did it on my XTM X-Terminator, but I prefer to use the Mamba Max. The motor there is a Feigao 8L that was the first BL motor I ever got, and it will probably end up being switched out with a different motor.
The diff is from a Hyper 8 with a Kyosho 46t plastic spur. Unfortunately the output cups are just a little short, but they will work for now.

Battery space:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/PRP%20Swift/IMG_3679.jpg
You might not be able to see it, but there is an aluminum u-channel around the center-rear driveshaft and the rear brace. Soon I'll put some velcro on this piece and it will be used to help hold the battery in. The rest of the battery mounting has not been decided yet, as I don't have the batteries to work with. What I'm looking at getting are two Maxamps 2s 4200mah 15C (2100HV cells) packs. They should be able to handle the setup, and their total weight is approximately equal to that of 6 NiMh cells (twice the power of NiMh for the same weight). These batteries will only sit on the chassis, and won't sit on the mud guards since the mud guards have a very odd shape where they mount to the chassis (not at all ideal for putting batteries on).

I also have a body that I got for it, but it's made for a XT2, so I had to do some trimming. Once it's painted I'll get a pic of that.

As far as performance, it's not quite up there yet. The center diff (from a Hyper 8) has 10k diff fluid in it, and when driving on the street I can see a lot of power unload to the front wheels when I punch it. I think I'll move up to 20k and see how that does.

[glassdoctor]

Nice. I like the layout... works awesome with a shorter battery.

I like the sound of the maxamps packs... my gut says go bigger though, like 3p. You will get better performance, less voltage drop and of course more run time. And the weight won't slow the car down at all and it probably will keep it balanced better than a super light battery.

I saw the u-channel right away. :)

I can't say the MM won't work with the 8L but I would stongly recomend a more effiecient (=expensive) motor when you upgrade. I can't overstate how good the Neu motors have been so far in my limited testing,

If my MM survives my buggy conversion, I think it's due to the Neu motor.

Where did you get those servos for $15????? did you get me one???

[tcolesen]

I don't know that I'll be able to get a more powerful battery setup. My budget is pretty limited, especially now that school is starting and I won't be working much. It may be possible for me to "work my magic" and see if I could go with a 3p and get a lower price.

The 8L will be staying for a while due to my limited budget, or I may swap it out for the 540C 9L in my other buggy (that's not in my possession right now). It'll take months for me to be able to rake in enough cash to afford a Neu. Maybe by then the beta testing will be going for the Mamba Monster Max...

Take a look on Ebay for the servos:
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2 F&fkr=1&from=R8&satitle=mg995&category0=
I got mine from a company in Hong Kong, but I forgot the name of the seller.
So far the servo has held up well. I've got a buddy who ran one in his custom Clod rock crawler with the Moab 40 series tires, and he said it did well.

[balang_479]

Whats thir quality like?
Had ny problems with glintching ???

Endurance???

[tcolesen]

I haven't had any out-of-the-ordinary problems with the servo. My range is pretty limited, but that happens with other servos and the same receiver/transmitter.

[Re-Mix]

I know you have extensive brushless knowledge so you should be smarter than to run an 8L in 1/8th buggy, that's asking for smoke.

[ElectricThunder]

Nice conversion. I like the chassis on that buggy. Everything looks mounted happily too.:D I see your MM has been to hell and back though...:p

[tcolesen]

I know you have extensive brushless knowledge so you should be smarter than to run an 8L in 1/8th buggy, that's asking for smoke.

Smoke? I used to run this motor before in my other 1/8 buggy. Even recently although I haven't been pushing it hard and have only been running 13.2v (LiFePO4 batteries) the motor hasn't really heated up at all. But I didn't just choose to run this motor; it's a spare and the only one I have that is even close to being suited for use in a 1/8 buggy.

I don't see how it isn't "smart" to run a certain motor if it is working :confused:.

[Rtsbasic]

Very nice, didn't know the hyper 8 diff fitted in there. Good work. Great price as well, I paid £100 (around $180) for one last year.

You think the Mamba is strong enough to run the 8L without thermalling? I'll be genuinely impressed if it can. And immensely pleased, because I'm ordering one very soon :)

That looks like a Swift Pro, my old Swift 2 had purple bits instead of beige. So the chassis should be 7075 alloy on yours. They look like tough cars, can handle the speed okay too, the guy that used to run my LHS had a nitro one with a 2 speed bodged in, would run over 70mph flat out. Didn't turn much at that speed though :)

[tcolesen]

The diff fit, but also remember that I'm using only one of the center bulks, so there is some flexibility. But, the outputs on the diff are just a bit short. If anyone knows of longer diff outputs (for center or rear diffs) that fit onto the Hyper 7/8 diff, let me know.

All I know is that this buggy is the Swift. It seemed like the owner might not have known which version it is if it is the Pro.

[tcolesen]

A few days ago I finished the battery holders, but still have to do the battery straps. Soon (very possibly this weekend) I'll be getting some batteries from Maxamps. Originally it was going to be a 4s2p setup using the 2100HV cells, but glassdoctor convinced me to go with 4s3p for increased capacity and increased amp-handling capability. This pack will also end up being more economical for me since the reduced current draw per cell should allow the pack to give more cycles.

Here are some pics of the battery holders:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/PRP%20Swift/IMG_3846.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/PRP%20Swift/IMG_3849.jpg
This setup allows for a battery up to about 35mm wide to fit.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/PRP%20Swift/IMG_3851.jpg
It can fit batteries up to about 50mm (2in.) wide. Unfortunately the length is limited to about 105mm.

[Casey Clements]

If you have any suggestions that you care to share .. please send them direct to me if you wish... cclements2@msn.com..
Looking forward to learning from all your imput... !!!!

[tcolesen]

Suggestions for what, the conversion or the buggy? I can't really think of anything I haven't already discussed here.

[Casey Clements]

what esc did you use for your 1/8 conversion? I have a history with 1/10 scale only. I have never gotten past associated trucks.

I have an extra novak receiver and multi-plex servo. But I need to pick up a brushless and an esc that will take two li-po.

What did you use.????


Casey

[tcolesen]

Mamba Max ESC.

Just so that everyone is aware, this buggy has moved on to a new owner in its nitro form. It was traded as a roller for a Savage roller. I do, however, have another 1/8 electric buggy, a XTM X-Terminator.