FLM Tranny Forward Brushless Conversion (FLM49000)
 

Hi there,

There's very limited information to find concerning this product (Tranny Forward brushless conversion). Here on RCM the only topic was this one.

I currently have an Savage Flux and I would like to make it XL length with the option to put the LiPo's internally. So I went looking but the choice is very limited in this. It was this FLM conversion kit or the DesertBoy-17 from GCM, which is a bit to big for my liking. Anyway, I have some questions concerning this product.

• Is it a 'simple' conversion or are there many mods required? (my Flux is mostly stock except for some Cenn Diffs)
• Do I need to buy anything else besides the kit to convert?
• I'm planning on using the Flux motor, how much space is than available for the LiPo? (I already have some 4S 5A 20C LiPo's that are 148 x 49 x 33mm)
• Is the Flux motor mountable on the motor mount?
• Any disadvantages to this kit with weight distribution or something else? (Because now the LiPo / motor and ESC would be to the back of the truck.)

Any input is appreciated!

More pictures here & info:

http://www.rc-monster.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15176

and another, bit more info I think:

http://www.rc-monster.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14247

It is a fairly simple conversion I believe, but you will have to use the assembly manual posted here on RCM (somewhere, maybe...) as FLM dont provide one usually.

I think everything you need is included, just a case of asembling it & mounting all the flux parts. You wont have/need the brake parts & servo, or the reverse mechanism & servo etc.

Check Joram's thread (2nd one) for lipo dimensions, but it seems you can adjust the motor mount position a bit to accomodate pretty much anything- 5s 4000mah should fit fine- you can even widen the chassis a little with some shims to fit fatter packs.

Flux motor will fit fine, even with those fairly long fins.

Having the tranny up front shifts some weight up front, and having the motor in the middle & the lipos in the rear makes the truck pretty well balanced front/rear I believe. Since its a bashing truck really having perfect handling isnt 100% vital, but I dont think you will have any issues with the truck being hard to steer, just give it a good strong servo :yes:

Thanks Neil!!

I checked Joram's post/build on a Dutch forum and on Savage Central, also have him on MSN so that's not a problem. Read the first topic though, I only searched for FLM49000 that's why I didn't find any info (stupid me).

It has a good strong stock servo :lol: , also have some others so will see how the shock holds up after the conversion (if I buy it the guy is asking $140 NIB incl shipping).

ps. I also have some LST shocks which I might bolt on using these 2 parts:
VTX-85769 & VTX-85771 like Joram did here or are they any reasons not to do it like that (strength) ?

Here Joram is saying he want's to buy the FLIGHTPOWER EVO30-4500 6S which measures 165.0mm/44.1mm/49.1mm. Assuming it would fit my current 4S packs (33mm) and maybe future 5S packs (40mm) would also fit even tough the Blur might have a bigger diameter.

I've searched some for that manual but can't seem to find it, does anyone happen to have a link ?

Looks like I can also use FLM30000 to put LST shocks on my Savage?

Made in the USA
Machined from billet 6061 aluminum
Use LST2 shocks
Recquires mod to stock tower
Direct fit for FLM towers

Does anyone know what the mod is?

EDIT: Here on RCM it states for FLM shocktowers only.

http://www.rc-monster.com/prodimages...ockadapter.JPG

I had the tranny forward chassis, I did assemble it but never ran it. I did not like the weight distribution, way too much to the the rear. I was also not impressed with the battery mounting, or available room for the battery. Nothing against flm, as I own and enjoy alot of their products, but this just fell short of my expectations. Monster trucks need the weight up front so they handle and steer well, plus it helps with wheelies if you are running a potent setup. And they fly alot better off jumps, as the weight helps to counteract the gyroscopic effect that large tires that like to balloon have.

I understand your desire to run the batteries inside the chassis, I wanted the same thing. In the end I sold the chassis at a loss and made my own tvps to accomplish my desires.

Here is the thread about that build: http://www.rc-monster.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20077

I have not finished yet, but think it will turn out well. Battery placement is a bit high, but if you could stretch the chassis a bit more the battery tray could be dropped down quite a bit. I had planned to use 5s lipo for this, and length was a bit of an issue. Mine is setup for a battery that is around std stick pack length, 140-150mm?. I also wanted to use regular off the shelf parts, so I have a regular X length rear center driveshaft, and a lst1 wheel cvd as the front center driveshaft.

Not sure if you are into fabbing up anything, but this was the best option I could come up with! Much better info is in the thread I linked, my brain is a bit foggy from all of the muscle relaxants I took last night for my back!!!!

Thanks Linc, going to read your topic now :)

I really lack the machinery to fab up something myself, besides that I also lack the time since I study a lot and I want to enjoy my free time just bashing around a bit.


Any suggestions about the FLM30000? Can I use it with the stock towers like FLM advertises on their site or not (it think the latter :( )?

Poops allover my theory about the weight distribution then... :lol:

I've seen several builds using LST shocks, though alot of thpse people are now using the hpi bigbores, or baja shocks even- smaller diameter makes life easier when mounting them, yet still gives good performance; the mod is probably just a bit of clearance work on the stock towers as the flms have a recessed area for the mounts to.. mount.

After a bit of digging, it seems the manual was posted on the old FLM.com website, but that is now gone and replaced with the .net site- no manuals that I can see but it would be worth emailing them probably still.

I do like Linc's chassis alot though, but it does require alot of custom work vs just bolting together parts as such.

I will send them a mail about it now.

I just wanna try these badboys. Some say they suck for bashing other love 'm so I'm gonna find it out myself.

Yep, poop all over Neil. Sounds like fun!

I know you like my chassis, cause I am great and you know that too, bow down to my excellence!!!

Anyways, I understand for packaging purposes why the flm chassis is the way it is. Without really redesigning the way the steering works, the front plate has to be where it is. And it has to be pretty big to allow for mounting the brake servo as well. This chassis is really design to convert a nitro savage, not stretch out a flux and allow for inside the tvp battery mounting.

I would suggest exploring other options for stretching your flux, or buy this chassis and other parts from a nitro chassis and make another truck. I do not think the flux motor will clear the flm motor mount without grinding the fins off the bottom/sides.

My design was setup for a smaller range of battery sizes, motor brakes, and a slightly changed steering setup, and will yield a higher cg (not much) due to the battery tray height.

Looking back on what I have done I would almost go with a xtm mammoth truck body, as it is cheap, and has a long wheelbase. Then make the chassis as long as possible to fit that body. Leave the flux motor mount and rear center driveshaft, and add all of the extra length in front of the tranny. This should leave enough room behind the steering cranks to allow for a decent selection of lipos to fit and the tray could sit lower than the top of the bellcranks. The steering servo may have to be mounted to a riser on one side of the battery tray, or maybe laid down. That would be the harder part.

The chassis setup of the savage does not really lend itself to a good layout, just too narrow.

:lol:

Yeah, that's why I meant in my topic start bullet point 4....

They also recommend that body for the Desertboy conversion of GCM.

Does anyone have a link to the manual or could anyone upload one?

I mailed FLM but no response so far. Also found some old download links to the .com site but they don't work anymore.

Motor in motormount:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oXx8nzDDQME/S1...d/P1040394.JPG

Can't use the support brace that's on the kit. The motor itself barely fits, tried to make a photo of it:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oXx8nzDDQME/S1...d/P1040398.JPG

Build chassis for some pics:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oXx8nzDDQME/S1...d/P1040351.JPG

Just drove it around a little. This thing keeps giving me smiles :oops:

More pictures : http://picasaweb.google.nl/nardcox86...angenFLM49000#


EDIT: Why doesn't the forum resize the pictures automatically :) ?

EDIT: Concerning Linc weight distribution issue:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oXx8nzDDQME/S1...d/P1040404.JPG

Curious to see how it handles jumps.

EDIT: Cool fact: I was worried about the added weight :

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oXx8nzDDQME/S1...d/P1040317.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oXx8nzDDQME/S1...d/P1040399.JPG

4007 (stock) vs 3777 (XL) :D

EDIT : Some outside pics:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oXx8nzDDQME/S1...d/P1040410.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oXx8nzDDQME/S1...d/P1040411.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oXx8nzDDQME/S1...d/P1040422.JPG

Well, thats damn near perfect 50/50 weight distribution- how was it before with the stock chassis?

Looks nice and tidy, just needs a bigger shell now :lol:

As for pictures, best solution is to use photobucket or imageshack etc and manually enter the maximum size as 600x800 pixels, unless you can do/post thumbnail links to the original fullsize images. Doesnt matter that much, just annoys the guys with little 15" monitors.. :lol:

Yeah, I was also really surprised by the weight distribution. Maybe I will take the car to a nice jumping location to see how it goes. Will post a movie when I go.

I made some new holes so the body fits better, but an XL shell would indeed be the best / nicest solution :).

I use Picasa for the pictures. I can upload them at a smaller resolution when uploading them from the program. Will just make a separate folder for RCM pictures :)

15'' ... does that still exist :D 24'' double screens FTW !!

Wish I could just get the motor mount...

You can : FLM49050 Brushless Motor Mount

Mike doesn't carry the item, but RCBros does for $38 (and it's in stock according to the site).

EDIT: Will also send you a PM in case you are not reading this.

[YOUTUBE]Yj238YUf7uk[/YOUTUBE]

Thats just savage (flux) power- even with a longer chassis and forward tranny it still wheelies like a nutter. :intello:

Yeah, wheelies ain't a problem (although during the end of the LiPo, with lower voltages, driving wheelies (30kmph) are not possible). And this is just on 4S ... I really can't image that 'thing' on 6S.

Can you please tell me the wheel base lenth ?

1.9" longer than the stock Flux I do believe. So not even as long as an XL.

CRAP ! In the video it looked much larger.
Great video and fantastic build.
Thank You

Well actually .....

HPI Savage lineup
Savage Flux & X = 534mm
Savage XL = 570mm
Difference = 36mm

Wheelbase is extended 1.9" from stock Savage length.
1'' = 25.4mm
1.9'' = 48mm

So it's 12mm longer than a XL.

Ow and thanks for the compliment. Also just found out that 6S will fit according to this guy:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jssoutht...99739897412594

I think he's running taller gearing then me and that's why he made it fit.

In this FLM chassis, will a much larger/longer motor fit with out clearance issues ??

Thanx

I measured the actual plates themselves for the 5T thread and came up with the following (with a ruler, not exact... they turn out to be .5mm off):

372mm HPI Savage XL
314mm HPI Savage X

which is a diff of 58mm, or 2.2". :)

Which corresponds with the stated wheelbases on HPI's site (http://www.hpiracing.com/kitinfo/10515/) of

395mm XL
336.5mm X

or a diff of 58.5mm.

HPI also states 590 as the length of the XL not 570.

Looks like someone needs to put decent information on their website then.

You made me curious so I'm going to measure it myself now :)

Hehehe... :)

Ok, from the centers of the front to rear my FLM is now 393mm. No idea what it was before. To show the extension of this chassis over the stock Flux I took two mounting points and measured the distance between them.

Stock Flux : 203mm / 7.99''
FLM Flux : 248mm / 9.76''
Difference = 45mm / 1.77''

Can anyone answer this ?

Ups, sorry. As can be seen on my pictures the Flux Blur barely fits and the motor is 42mm in diameter I believe. So any thicker and you will have some issues making it all fit. Of course you can fab an own mount but then the LiPo space question also comes into play.

Lenth is the bigger issue, can a longer motor squeeze in ?

Thanks !

That depends on how long you want it. There still is some room left as you can see in this picture. If you give me the length of the motor I will check it for you.

[QUOTE=Nard Cox;345258]
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oXx8nzDDQME/S1...d/P1040404.JPG

If I decide to do this FLM chassis the motor I'd might use is roughly 1" longer and I'm concerned the ESC tray might be in the way ?

Just did some measurements and made some pictures for you : click (and click to the right).

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oXx8nzDDQME/S2...d/P1040582.JPG

Roughly is risky in this case. 1'' (2.54 cm) would fit, but just barely. Of course you would have to cut some materials of the TVP's.

Fab pics, thanks !
Q: can the ESC tray/shelf be put on the other side of the chassis and ditch the RX box and put they lipos in front ?

No problem.

There's no way you can make that all fit, at least I don't see how:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oXx8nzDDQME/S2...d/P1040584.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oXx8nzDDQME/S2...d/P1040585.JPG

I see now with the over head shot, puts the lay out in perspective.
Thanks again !

Yeah, I saw I lacked pictures of the complete overview, my bad.

Glad to be of help.

Some Qs, thnx for any reply.

What are the battery tray area dimensions with the flux motor and ESC installed? If i built this i would really like to run a single 5s battery.

What is the distance from the base of the ESC to the rear shock tower? Wondering if it would get hit like the stock Flux setup.

What are the dimensions of the front tray area? Wondering if the ESC could be moved up there and if that would create more battery tray area.

Can the Flux spur gear gear cover be fitted?

Also, any jumping yet? How does it fly?

Hi there,

1. (dimensions) Dimensions depend on the spur/pinion you are running. I'm running stock spur and pinion and the with is about 37mm, will be about 2 to 3mm longer if you will use the supplied spacers on the left TVP to widen it a bit more. The length is about 160 or more I guess, The hight is about 60mm but pretty much unlimited. What battery with what dimensions are you trying to fit?

2. (base ESC) No idea, will measure that when I have time.

3. (front tray area) No idea, but will check that asap.

4. (spur gear cover) If you can mod a little I'm sure it can, but I don't think it fits without any mods, but again will have to check this to be sure.

5. No. But today the whether is good so I should be getting some air time today. It's 11:08 here now and will go bashing (hopefully) @ 12:00. Will bring my camera for some footage.

I'm in bed right now and will try to give an answer to your questions asap!!