I know that there won't be a fuel tank and I expect to remove the rx box, but isn't there a big motor available, maybe even a brushed?

Will I be able to cut out the throttle servo? Can the ESC apply brakes using the motor's magnetic field?

IMO there is no such thing as overkill as long as it can be made to fit on the chassis and mesh with spur.

A Neu 1515, 1521, or even a 1527 would be more than sufficient even though they aren't as big as a coke can. A brushed motor will have less power than an equivalently sized brushless motor by a substantial margin.

Yes, electronic brakes use the motor.

Kiwi have you ever seen a brushless converted buggy/truggy/muggy?

I suggest you search youtube or google video and find out what your getting yourself into.....a coca cola size motor would rip your muggy to pieces imo!

I would listen to what ppl in this thread are saying they have alot of experience!

http://www.rc-monster.com/tempforum/showthread.php?t=227 almost all the way down on the first page is a pic of a complete muggy. The point that i want to make is the motor is no coke can and fairly well balanced. on 5 s the car was fun to run. 6s the truck shredded off tires, destroyed lexan bodies and was way to much to handle unless your making speed passes down a football field. Kiwi listen to these people. i know it may be shocking or hard to believe that a little ole XL motor would be able to outperform a nitro engine but they do. and they do extremely well