Need some replacement motors

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OK, here is the problem. I have a twin motor 4WD buggy that I have had for several years. Lately it has gotten a little sluggish and it is going thru batteries allot faster than it used to. So, I was thinking maybe it was time for some upgrades. Here is the catch. It is a radio shack car. Everytime I go into a hobby shop, they are all ears until I tell them the make of the car. I could understand that someone not familiar with how electronics work would get caught up on this. but since I have been reading the threads in this forum, I notice that you guys routinely put other OE stuff in your cars. you also have a decent amount of aftermarket, hop-up, companies to choose from.

Now for the question. I can not change the ESC without replacing everything since the ESC and receiver are on the same board. with this in mind, are there any stock motors that you think would work with the ESC in this car? I have had the motors out and they are non-rebuild able can type motors. I did not measure the dimensions when I had them out but I can if I need to.

Thanks in advance.

[andystoybox]

Find out what size can it is for the motors. A direct replacement motor might work. The other cause of speed and power loss is due to friction. You might be able to get more power just by lubricating the plastic bushings and gearsets inside the car. If you cannot find the correct motors, it might be possible to open the closed endbell motors and clean the brushes (most likely just a brass bar) and commutator connection points with steel wool or emery cloth. Good luck with it.

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Here are the measurements.
Length of the case is 43mm.
The case is round with two flats find of like this (_) with a flat on top of course. The diameter of the case is 28.6mm and the distance from flat to flat is 24.6mm

There is a part number on the case but no MFG name.

[ElectricThunder]

What is the make of the vehicle? That'll help a little bit. By the motor measurements you've given though, sounds like an oddly shaped motor (however, the motor size sounds about like a 380 or 400 size motor, just in a funny shape).

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It is a RadioShack, Desert Thunder.

The motors fit into an adapter/housing that then attaches into the gear housing. The screws that attach the motor case to the housing go into the shaft/gear face of the case. If there is another stock replacement motor that attaches in a similar way, I believe that I can modify the adapter to accomodate the more popular shapped cans, something that would have an outside diameter of approx. 28.6mm with out the flats.

Thanks

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Thank you to everyone that helped with this.

I have purchased a new RC and will be putting the Desert Viper on hold for now. I may be coming back to it later but only to make one heck of a sleeper. I am thinking Li-Po and brush-less. Should surprise a couple people to see an old beat up Radio Shack car blow their doors off.

Again, thanks for the help and see you in the Evader thread.

[davec-nitro-rs4]

One magazine did a write up of trying to upgrade Wal*Mart RC's with hobby grade parts.

Long story short, you can make it fast, but it will still lack suspension and handling accuracy for any kind of decent control. You can polish a turd, as they say.....and you still have......yep.

Pass the Radio Shack car on to your little nephew and go regular RC...you won't regret it.

[chevy camaro]

Yup what he said

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Not to be argumentative but this shack RC is not your run of the mill toy RC. It actually has parts very similar to those on a "real" RC buggy. The main difference is that they have everything enclosed. It uses plastic shocks with springs that could easily be changed out for a set used on a traxxas. When I got the RC over 10 years ago, it even came with a parts list sheet like the one that came with my new Evader. I think the only drawback to polishing this turd is that it will be a little heavy. But for a 4wd buggy with 2.2 sized monster truck tires, it isn't that bad. It also has 6mm hex at the hubs but I think I can change those out too.

[chevy camaro]

The draw back to rs cars is they use regular plastic for their chassies not composit plastic.

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No question there. In the 10+ years that I have had the car the only thing that has broken is the front bumper. I took that off years ago.

I have also bent one of the steering linkages but they will easily be replaced by one of the replacement parts available now, after I find a ball that will fit in the hole from the original. I may break a couple dog bones when I put the stronger motors in, the spur gears on the stock motors are brass so I will try to re-use those. There is no adjustment for the motor placement so I will not be able to change gear sizes with out loosing gear mesh.

[swannco]

ok 1st thing:

you might try to take it apart and give it a real good cleaning and check the bushings and gears to see if they are worn. you might be able to clean them up and spray some silicone lube on them or such to get more efficiency and life from them. i've seen carpet fibers wrapped around an axle bring a hobby grade car to a near standstill, so you'd be surprised.

2nd thing:

you could try a tamiya [read mabuchi or johnson] silver can motor as a replacement. they are dirt cheap and go on fleabay all the time for under $10. they are probably better than what came in the car to begin with and should give you some new punch if the old ones are worn out. they come in 540 and 380 sizes as well as others i believe. sorry, i don't have the exact measurement for those, but they are rc standards.

3rd thing:

i believe a google search should turn up a radio shack library that contains the specs for these older buggies - i've seen it before when i was looking at something like a golden arrow, which by the way, was very nearly a hobby grade buggy that ran on 7.2 volt packs.

good luck and don't let the naysayers discourage you. if you are willing to go thru the hassle i bet you can keep this baby going. ifn you like it who cares who makes it, treat it right and enjoy it!

[chevy camaro]

I had a golden arrow they are really close to being hobby grade .... oresto if you like it that much than go for it.. As far as the links get some hime joints from your l hs or eyelet links some call them.

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Thank you both for the advice. I am enjoying my Evader now but I will definitely want to get the Viper back on the road some day.

I tried finding this car on the net a while ago and didn't have any luck I may try again some day but I think I will just end up using readily available components when I want to bring it back to life.

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I just did an EBay search and found that I could get two parts cars for $10 or a complete car with Tx for $10. Kinda cool.