Help me pick a good 1/8th conversion chassis

[k_sw31]

Hey all, been sorta outta the hobby for awhile.

I'm looking to put together a solid brushless basher. I want a fairly basic 1/8th scale buggy kit to convert. I've never had a buggy before so I don't know what would be good or not. Keep in mind I'm not racing, my interest is in what will take the hits, not silly aluminum screws and such.

How does this look: http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXAXV2&P=7
It is not expensive but I think ofna is a pretty good brand. Are there any problems I'd encounter with a budget kit like this?


For a powerplant, I don't need anything nutso, just something to put me around 35-40 mph, would a novak hv 6.5 setup be good?

Okay, lastly, what brand and voltage of lipo pack would I want for that setup? (Oh yeah, and a good budget charger too?)

Thanks guys! I'm thinkin either a setup like this or a new stampede or rustler....

[SpEEdyBL]

The main thing you have to consider is how you are going to mount a motor in there. Mike @ rc-monster.com sells custom motor plates for certain vehicles, but not the R2. You'll have to make your own for that buggy.

I have that buggy, but i don't recommend getting it. You'll have to upgrade the bevel gears, as the stock ones seem to literally crumble under brushless power. Not only that, but all eight outdrives are held on by setscrews, and if you do not threadlock them properly, they may fall of frequently. The main thing I don't like about it is that it many of the parts aren't very good quality. Pretty durable buggy otherwise. One time the pinion gear fell off when i was doing a full speed run, so i had no brakes and the car slammed into a curb. The only thing that broke was the plastic bumper which split in two.

I myself am going to a Losi 8ight which i got off ebay for not too much more than the price of the R2 listed on towerhobbies.

Btw, I also have a novak HV4.5 system, it runs great, but be warned; I have already broken the puny 1/8" pinion shaft twice. It could happen if you motor plate isn't absolutely solid, or if the pinion gear is hanging to far out on the shaft. In my scenarion, both were were case. You should be able to get 35-40 mph with the 6.5.

[chilledoutuk]

i would pickup something like a 2nd hand hyper 7 off ebay.

[Mister-T]

This is what i did, you can find a hyper 7 under 150 $ in great condition, plus spare are cheap and available, There is enought room to put nimh battery as well

[Muck]

I don't reccomend that one either. I have a LX Comp, which is essentially the same. It has been pretty tough, but it handles terrible compared to my Hyper 7.

[glassdoctor]

yeah.. those ofna ultra/ mbx cars... are a decade old.

I would look for a good used "race" quality car... Jammin... Hyper 7/8... etc. High end cars are made with better stronger materials, and have years worth of improvements over those outdated ofnas...

I have an old thunder tiger mirage, kinda like one of those ofnas... and it's a complete pile of garbage compared to the current stuff.

[k_sw31]

So probably my best bet is upgrading to a hyper 7? As I thought...

Now in terms of motors, do you think I would be better off doing a 3s lipo with the novak 6.5 or a 2s lipo with the 4.5?

As in high Kv low volt or low Kv high volt?

[schenck77]

usually people run 4s when doing 8th scale buggies. also the novak motors only have an 1/8th inch shaft which is known to break. for about the same price I would go with a mamba esc, an external bec and a feiago motor. for the speed you want I would recommend a 9xl.

[k_sw31]

Alright thank you guys!

So say I have a hyper 7, feigo 9xl and 3s-4s lipo pack, are there any upgrades necessary to handle that power?

Also, where woud a good place be to buy pinions for that motor?

[k_sw31]

Okay okay, I swear, last question- on lipo packs...

Roughly how much time would I expect to get with a 9xl with 3s 8000 mah packs and 3s 50000 mah packs? Like is it reasonable to expect 30 minutes with the 8000?

[kufman]

Okay okay, I swear, last question- on lipo packs...

Roughly how much time would I expect to get with a 9xl with 3s 8000 mah packs and 3s 50000 mah packs? Like is it reasonable to expect 30 minutes with the 8000?

WOW!!! 50,000 mAh that is one heck of a battery.... jk lol.

[Muck]

I wouldn't use anything less than 4s 6000 mah. Also you will probably need a fan on the motor and possibly on the ESC. The Feigao motors run pretty hot.

[SpEEdyBL]

I run a 4s 5000 mah 4s pack and it is PLENTY. If you plan on running 3s packs, don't get the 9xl. It wont be very fast. You wouldn't be able to gear it high enough because nobody makes mod1 gears larger than 20 teeth. Even a 20 tooth is huge hunk of steel. But I don't recommend 3s anyway. You wan't all the voltage you can get. 4s and the 9xl should get you to 40 mph quite easily. I think a 10L, which is lighter and has higher kv will give you more gearing options, and may run cooler and draw less current.

[fathertime]

i've got my 1/8 sportwerks mayhem buggy in the for sale section. any questions pm me

[k_sw31]

Alright how much runtime would I expect from a 9xl and 4s 5000 mah pack? 20 mins?

[SpEEdyBL]

That sounds reasonable. 15 minutes at the least.

[ta_man]

That sounds reasonable. 15 minutes at the least.
SpEEdy, You get my PM on the novak rotors?