Looking to do a Buggy conversion, need advise.
 

In the past I've owned a Stampede, a converted warhead (Takedown), and a converted Raze buggy (bennyhill016). They were both great, but I would like to do my own conversion. I've decided it will be a buggy. I don't race, I only mess around on the track. I want something easy to convert. I want to buy a roller, slap in a pre-made motor mount, put in a MMM, and a 8xl or something. I want something simple that I can call my own. Parts support is important to me and I was looking at the 8ight, rc8, lightning, Hyper, etc. The thing is, I want the buggy to be indestructible. I have a $600 Stampede that is pretty tough and I want something that I wont have to worry about. Everytime my pede takes a spill I have to worry about the body breaking, the motor temps, etc. I just want something i plug in, beat the hell out of or just mess around on the street, and then unplug, clean and be done. I really like the 8ight, but it looks like a complete racer. Looking for some advise. Not looking for any crazy expensive buggy, just a fun one to convert.

what are you going to use the buggy for, racing or bashing

Bashing. I would however like to mess around on a race track, but not get serious into racing. Just need a tough buggy, basicly.

I'd look into the hyper 8.5 maybe a used jammin x1

I need lots of parts support, especially if i'm breaking it all the time. I will look into those two, thanks.

if its a durable buggy you wont be breaking much...

I've had pretty good luck with my Hyper8. The only thing I've broken is a shock tower, but that was from a direct hit on the tower with a wall at around 50mph. I've also had the CVD set screw loosen, so make sure to lock-tite those well.

You'll need the following for a Hyper-based buggy, but this setup will be similar no matter what you get:

- Motor mount.

- Motor. Take your pick. Feigao XL motor for the cheap end, Neu on the high end. The kv depends on the voltage you use. Shoot for around 35,000 rpm max.

- Battery tray. I know Mike can make custom sizes depending on the battery you choose.

- Battery. I'd go with lipos for weight/runtime/power. 4s is a solid start. 5s and up would be better for higher voltage setups, but then you may have issues trying to get them to fit under the body. For runtimes around 20-30 minutes, look for 5Ah capacity. For higher runtimes, you'll need around 8Ah. Of course, this depends on how you drive, ESC settings, terrain, gearing, etc.

- ESC. Up to 4s, the Mamba Max is a good solid ESC. For 5s and 6s, I'd use the Monster Max. Both have tons of features, computer programmable, built-in LVC, great customer support, etc. If using the Mamba Max, you should use an external UBEC - the Monster Max has a switching BEC built-in.

- Depending on the height of the battery you use, you may have to raise the body a bit for clearance. The sides of the body are kinda shallow.

- Mod1 5mm bore pinion. Tooth count determined by the speed you want.

- Spur. You can use the stock steel spur, but they are heavier and noisier. The Kyosho 46T spur is a direct replacement. Quieter and lighter, yet still holds up fine.

i beleive he has 2 2s lipos and a mamba max along with a 9xl already :D

Do you have ESP? Unless I'm blind, I don't see that listed. :wink:

i talk to him outside the forum :D, he has my raze now

i like my hyper 7 but would get the hyper 8 if i ever needed to replace it.

Yeah. Someday I would like to do my own conversion. Thanks all for the tips. My Stampede does something wrong every time I run the thing. It never breaks, but always stupid stuff. For example, last time I was running my receiver popped out and broke off the wire. It's always something stupid, but it's always something. I'm new here, and thanks for the quick replies.

Here is what I do - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESdvD0XPME0

What does your local hobby shop carry the most parts for? You may also want to think about a high quality motor if you don't want to worry about temps.

If you want a tough as nails buggy for a very fair price take a look at the CEN buggy. That thing was just about as bullet proof as it could be. I loved mine cuz it was all but impossible to break without getting really stupid. Mike sells the motor mount for it now also so the conversion would be simple.

and if you want a CEN the track where i race may have one lieing around. ill ask if your interested. with lots of parts....

I have a Mugen mbx-5 which is also v/good and tough as nails

I can tell you what not to do...dont get a used roller off ebay I did and got junk.

thanks all. from what i've seen you guys like just about all the buggies. what it really comes down to is parts support for me. any basher needs that. i don't mind ordering off tower, but I would like to check with my LHS's to see what they carry parts for.

any thoughts on the 8ight?

the 8ight is great too. :lol: ic we were not much help in narrowing your search. But yes parts support is the best route to take.

I think all the buggies are pretty tough. Just get the one that your LHS carries the most parts for.

(To keep from starting another thread)

After spending my the past week reading a lot of post all this site and looking at my $$$. I have a new Jammin x1x that I want electerized!

I came to the conclusion that lower kv and high V is the best thing.

I have a 606i charger and Mike conversion kit shipped today.

I plan to run a 1800-2000kv motor on 4s (Flight Power 25C/50C) lipo in the buggy. I will be racing this buggy in 5 minute heats and 30 minutes mains. I want the top speed to be 25-30mph (small track) and 35-40 (big track)

I haven't look hard into brands, but it seems Neu 1512 is the best and Feigao XL brings heat.

My next items:
Battery: Size? (To make 30min and keep the car light)

ESC : Is the MMM fixed now with the new mods, or should I get the MM with BEC and Fan?

Any recomendations?

MMM will be fine - you could wait for the castle combo or look at a medusa 60 2000kv - Neus a great of course go for a 2200-2600kv 1512.

30 min mains are a stretch - I think you are looking at a battery change - I would go for the polyquest 4s 5000 - you could try a 6000 but not sure it will make 30mins...

This statement is like saying I want it good but cheap.... Not really realistic


You could make 30 minutes, but you probably cant do it while keeping the buggy light. Running 5s 5000mah (quite a porky feeling pack in a buggy) and a 1512/3D I can maybe squeeze out 25 minutes. 30 minutes on 4s and you will probably be looking at a 8000mah pack or close to it. Thats alot of weight and the buggy probably would handle that great. If 30 minutes is a must you could posssibly look at 4s 6000mah and go with a very mild setup like the 1512/3D on 4s and gear it low for 30mph and you might be able to make it, but this would probably feel somewhat under powered and not give you the what you are looking for from a power standpoint.

I agree with Arktic.... You will probably be looking at a a battary change to do a 30 minute race with a reasonably powered buggy.

just lap them twice then change the battery, remember they have to stop for fuel every 5-6 minutes, each stop takes roughly 10-15 seconds or more. (im sure pros could be much faster) so they have to stop 6 times, so about 1 minute of stops total. if you make a 1 minute battery change (not too unrealistic) then im sure you could be in amongst the top. just design it with clips rather than velcro so you can just clip and unclip the pack as well as easy side access... taking off the body wastes too much time and not taking it off can also waste just as much.

a few things to think about.

:)

Thanks guys!

I am going to wait for the MMM combo and run the 2200 motor on 4s 5000.

tc3_racer_001, I like how you think:diablo:.

Rc-Monster Rocks!!!:yipi:

Will the Castle Creations Mamba Monster 25V + 5mm 2200 kV Combo be to much for a buggy on 4S Lipo racing? I just found out it was a 1515 motor.

It'll be just fine. There are plenty of folks that run buggies on the 1515 with great success. Should be a very nice setup. And cost effective too.