RC-Monster RC8T build
 

Well I will start by saying thanks to Chris Long and Mike Cronin! Chris sold me a brand new RC8T and I received it in a couple days, great guy to do business with. Also as usual Mike has provided fast shipping on the parts I ordered from him for this build, 70mm 1600kv Medusa, MMM, 5s RC-M lipo, Hitec Servo, and Mike's full chassis conversion kit for the RC8T. I will be taking many pics as this is my first time doing such a build.

Chassis from Chris
http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0547.jpg

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0548.jpg

Mike's kit
http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0555.jpg

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0557.jpg

Rest of the goodies from Mike
http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0559.jpg

That is a sweet parts list - For the manual please could you try to keep the shots so that they just have the workbench in the background. Cheers

Looks like you'll have your conversion done long before I finish my RC8T. I still need a motor and battery:cry:

I was looking at Chris's RC8T but I'd did not have quite enough $....glad it went to someone here...enjoy the truck and look forward to your reviews w/Mike's kit

No more pics? Its 10:30!

Nice group of components you've got going on there. Looking forward to the progress. Quick question, does the RC8T use metric hardware?

Yes it does

OK, working on getting some pics up. Conversion is done but in general it's not. I need to mount the motor, esc, paint the body, get some 6.5mm bullets, and a little bit of wire.

I wish that you had already made a manual Chris! I had a few delays figuring things out. After all this is my first 1/8 and I'm not completely familiar with them. I will be adding some notes with my pics to help Chris write a manual and to help anyone else until he gets it together. Pics will be up before I go to bed.

Build Pics
 

Started by removing the rear assembly
http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0560.jpg

Installed the rear assembly on Mike's chassis
http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0561.jpg
This was the easiest step as there are only four screws that hold the assembly on the chassis plus the brace.

Removed the front assembly
http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0562.jpg
This was tricky for me, it involved a lot of finaglling, as I said this is my first 1/8th and first conversion. The front brace needs to come completely off so that you can remove the ball from the diff end and replace it with the one in the kit.

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0569.jpg
http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0570.jpg
http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0571.jpg
This was one of the steps that held me up, I had to dig around on here to figure this out after I had the rest of the conversion done.

Here is the front assembly installed on Mike's chassis
http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0565.jpg
Note that the front brace still is off to the side(not correct), with the new ball installed the brace mounts un between the supports on the front assemblies top plate rather than on one side.

Now the center diff is removed from the stock chassis
http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0564.jpg

I took the center diff apart to install the RC-Monster motor mount in place of the rear support and remove all the brake components, and of course install it on Mike's chassis with the new bottom brace.
http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0567.jpg

Basic conversion is done here.
http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0572.jpg

Better shot showing the relocation of the front brace
http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0573.jpg

Installed the battery tray using the included M4 screws as well as installing the servo using the original standoffs and the spacers and screws included in the kit topped off with the new plate that will hold the Rx and a transponder
http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0575.jpg

Looking good, can't wait till I'm at that step! I'm waiting on my chassis kit, slipperential, and servo to get here.

I'll have it just about complete tomorrow. I'll be waiting on some 6.5mm bullets and wire though.

Looks good! I ended up taking the lazy route with mine and have a used RC8T that was already converted with the RCM kit on the way.

Here's the body I painted at 2:30AM!

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0576.jpg

Yea, but yours has all kinds of nice upgrades on it already. :yes: And ya got a nice deal to boot!:wink:

very nice build. keep us posted.

Can you get a horizontal close up view of the servo mount for me and a bottom chassis view - thanks

99% done!!!
 

Waiting on mudgaurds from Mike as well as 6.5mm bullets and wire to make the final motor connection. I threw the wires from my E-Revo on for the pic and to make sure everything works.

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0579.jpg

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0577.jpg

Now the sad part....I sent out my lipos to Linc today, so I won't have any time with it for at least a week. Fortunatelly the weather here is crappy anyways!

Here's a link to my photobucket album with all the build pics.
http://s548.photobucket.com/albums/ii348/JT13031/RC8T/

Finally 100% complete!
 

:party:This truggy looks sweet!:party: Mike did an awesome job with the conversion kit. Arct1k did a great job with the initial assemblly. Lastly I think I did a nice job with the conversion. The only thing I want to change is the shrink on the 4mm bullets to the motor. I may even eliminate the motor wires to the 12ga going to the esc. No matter what I need to pick up some black shrink to get rid of the red and yellow!

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0586.jpg

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0587.jpg

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0588.jpg

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0589.jpg

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0590.jpg

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0591.jpg

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0592.jpg

Now I'm just waiting for my Lipo back from LincPimp. I did build an adapter so I can slap my MA packs together and give it a try tomorrow. My first race will be 4/30 (coincedently my B'day) at CRC in Rome, NY. Only thing I need to do before that is mount my personal transponder.

Let me know what you guys think. Any suggestions for me?

Looks good, but needs more stickers!:lol:

I will add them as I come across them. I will have some proline and Mamba Monster stickers on it as soon as I dig them out.

If your lipo tray has a groove cut in the bottom, you can route your esc wires under it to the radio.

Took it out with a MA pack and I'm thouroughly impressed with the truck's handling. Not impressed with the medusa though, might need to be geared up? Everything is cool but the motor was a bit warm, didn't have my temp gun so I don't know exact temp. Speed seemed down too though. Geared for about 39 but seemed like 30. I may throw my neu in it instead.

Got My Lipo back from LincPimp and made a custom label for it.

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...T/HPIM0594.jpg

Only got to run it for about 4 minutes before I hit the lvc as I never charged it up. It was still impressive. It's almost off the charger now so I can give it a good test.

enjoy those RCM batts, i have been very impressed with them. The truck looks great, your making me want to get a truggy to add to the collection

Hi E-Revonut
how satisfied are you with the Medusa in your RC8T?
why do you switch to Neu ?
Is the Neu better as the medusa for this price?
I am thinking of buying one of the Neu motors, actually I run a Medusa 1600 kv on 5s.
So should I buy a Neu 2.5D?
Is it wortch it?
how much weighs your truck with all components?

I ran the 36-70-1600 Medusa on 5s for awhile in the truggy. Temps where in the high 150's at the end of a run. The Medusa is a great motor for the price no doubt, but I am much happier with my Tekno Neu 1515 2.5D in the truggy. Honestlly I was a bit dissappointed with this Medusa compared to the 36-50-4800 in my CRT.5 that runs cool even on a 90* day geared for speeds close to 40MPH. Is the Neu worth $260? If your racing I say yes, if all your going to do is bash it get the Medusa for half the price. I weighed the truggy at my lhs right after I built it. It weighed in at 8lbs 12oz with the Medusa motor, Mamba Monster esc, 7955 hitec servo, RC-Monster 4500mah 5s lipo, stock body, Maximizer beadlock rims, and proline MTR tires. I would estimate that in race trim as it sits now with LPR rims and bowties it is prolly about 8 1/2 lbs

truggy RTR only 8.5 LBS? that is quite hard to beleive

Ok, I just weighed it at the track. My lhs's scale is off by a lot! The new official weight is 9.9lbs ready to go on the track.

Nice job tonight holding me off.. Well I just did some late night repairs.. No wonder this buggy was a mess out there, LOL, I had 2 completely shot/seized bearings and 4 that were almost there (grinding). One of my shock spring base retainers was off as well.. heh
Man I blew that race tonight 1st to last ;) The pisser is that other kid is slower than me I should have beat him, but I just couldn't keep her 'decent' w/ all those issues. I'm happy I found the bad bearings though as it was taking its toll on my ESC and batteries... one of my packs has a bad cell now, I'll prolly run it for 5min qualifiers but it can't ever be run to LVC again... not w/o some real issues. May have to try a flightmax 4s 5k, hard to pass up the price. The next choice battery would be a SMC 14.8v 5400 but those are 2x as much (170). Ahh well, can't race on Sunday (wedding anniv) so I'll see you next Thursday provided it doesn't rain.

Did the repair on my truggy's wires as well.. should be in much better shape moving forward :) LOL I had the entire field by more than lap when she quit! That would have been an easy win ;(

Thanks Brian. Doing the math, if I was in the truggy class I would have had 1st after you dropped out

Ya for the buggy after about lap 7 or 8 I just couldn't hold her together she was really tough to handle due to the above issues, and I will say I'm debating on not running w/ the shock socks as I would have seen the retainer that wasn't on :) Anyway for the truggy it was running very smooth, and I'm sure I would have gotten a bit faster as others dropped out.. easier to navigate w/o traffic :) But at least it was fun and it didn't rain..

Thats odd did you look at the lap times.. I noticed my fast lap was a 30.179 but it was w/ the truggy, not the buggy. Well the buggy should put up some much improved #'s, but my goal is to break down into the 29's this next week. This rain is starving us from track time though, so we shall see! I'm actually considering running the elektri-clutches again my my rigs.. tekno dropped that new 3 shoe, very tempting! I use to run one in the buggy and really liked it, but the direct drive is also nice.. hmmm.. stop spending money! I need to remind myself...

Well remember that the fast lap was prolly your first lap where you started with a whole straight away advantage. My fast lap was just under 33 but my average was almost 35. I ran 17 laps in 10:13 where as Wall, first place in truggy ran 20 in 12:18. I'm hOly with direct drive and I'm not messing with the electric clutch. I still need to mess with the esc though. I need to stop spending money too! My truggy was pretty much an impulse buy but I'm glad I did it!

can you use the 54 tooth spur gear with the rcm chassis or do i need to get a smaller spur gear? if i need to get another which should i get

Yes the 54T spur works perfectly fine with the RC-M chassis. That's what is on it in all the pics. However I have now switched to the Associated 50T plastic spur for a quieter truck and to have somewhat of a weak point, hoping that the plastic spur will give before the motor shaft.

Good job. Maybe I will bring the X1 out and play. I do not expect it will be up to par with the rides you two are pimpin though. Oh ya. What the heck are you going to do about your screen name now????????????????:na:

Got my Eagle Tree v3 logger today and went out for a test run. This run was mostly on a blacktop parkinglot, the bigger spikes where when I ventured into the grass. Also the first half of the run I ran smooth, controlling the throttle as I do when racing, but the second half was all out! I wanted to see what kind of power I could pull from my setup.
This is a Factory Team kit w/ the RC-Monster full chassis conversion. I'm running a MMM esc, Tekno Neu 1515 2.5D, RC-M 4500mah 5s lipo, LPR bowties.

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...8T/VARC8T1.jpg

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...TempsRC8T1.jpg
TempA is motor and B is Lipo

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...WattsRC8T1.jpg
Now if I'm doing the math correctly that's pretty close to a peak of 3.5HP!!!