My first nitro to brushless conversion!
 

I have always been an electric guy, never touched a nitro in my life (20 years in R/C). After having 2 brushless systems in electric vehicles, and tearing up parts, I could really see why the nitro conversions are so popular; for the more solid drive trains. So I decided to post my first nitro conversion here since you guys seem to do it the best. I decided to start out with a 1/10th scale, since not ever running 1/8th (no nitro, remember,lol). I knew I needed 4 wheel drive, my other mamba is in a HPI RS4, and I had always wanted one of the RS4 MT electrics back in the day. So here was the logical choice; HPI nitro MT2 18SS! It has Mamba Max 5700 (changed to 4600 until I can handle THAT), Apogee 3800 3s li-mn batts. I used a 3mm gpm chassis and gpm center spur holder and HPI graphite upper deck, after my first runs on the stock chassis showed it to have WAY to much flex. Even put some turnbuckles from front to center and rear to center to stiffen it up, but that just tore up the stock plastic spur mount. Still trying to find tire/mamba setting combo that will hook up, this thing is insane!

So here ya go check it out:

Nice conversion! Looks like you have good right/left weight balance too. As far as chassis flex, you could make some chassis braces like 1/8th scale buggies use. To make it simple, you could use rods something like this (usiang whatever color/brand you want of course). Bolt one end to the front top plate and the other down to the chassis, and the same thing on ther rear.

thats a nice looking truck you built.. very clean..
phil

I'm doing a similar conversion, but using only modified parts from the 18SS (no aftermarket parts [yet]).

It looks like that chassis doesn't have the raised edges on the left and right sides, and I'm guessing that is a big cause of the chassis flex.

Your conversion looks great.

looks real nice...good job man.....once you get rid of the slight chassis flex, it should be pretty solid.....

Thanks guys. The new 3mm chassis with carbon fiber top deck is as stiff as a board. I tried rods similar to what brian suggested with the stock chassis, but it still had flex at "twisting" angles. Left to right balance came out nearly perfect with that size battery. Just need some good weather to get some good runs on it now. I may have to go to the local indoor track and embarass some nitros (and myself, with so much power,lol).

That is nice. How is the mamba doing for you?

I love the mamba system, it is my second one. But going from 6 cell nimh in the first rig (which I thought was fast) to 3s lipo in this rig is taking some getting used too (crazy fast!).

You should have tried a 2s lipo first. I think it may have been more than just 6 cells any way.

Hi,

Waht is the best motor for an e-mt2 :027: ?
MM 4600 or 5700 ?

What batteries are you going to run? On 3s lipo, I think the 5700 is probably too much, over 55 mph with my gears/tires (thanks for calculator BrianG) . I switched to the 4600 but haven't got much running on it yet, it should have about the same top speed as stock 18SS (46 mph), with much more torque.

I'm going to run with lipo 3s or 4s.

then i would say the 4600

Looks great bdebde!

Guile: yep, the 4600 would be the one to use on 3s, on 4s you would be pushing the rpm limit of that motor though.

Hey, nice conversion. I thought about doing the same conversion actually. I ended up doing the Lightning Statium 10 instead though for some of the reasons you've mentioned. The chassis and other parts are just more durable. It's basically made by HPI too (Hot Bodies).

Anyway, I've got the Mamba Max 5700 and it's pretty crazy fast too. Nice job!!

Hey is that a nitro mt2 my dad is looking at one of those to buy stock as a nitro car. He is looking to spend not a whole lot of money and he wants a 4WD stadium truck. Do you recommend this did it drive/handle well when you had it in nitro form. Also how fast is it and is it fast enough for a once in a while driver.

Sower - got any pics?

GorillaMaxx360 - I never drove the truck in nitro form (never driven nitro in 20 plus years in RC) so I can't say much abou that. The truck handles very well, after driving 2 wheel drive trucks for years, it is much easier to drive, just point and shoot. The 18SS kit that I started with has all the goodies and the motor is supposed to be pretty fast (advertised at 46mph).

have any idea on the rtr nitro speeds

not sure

thats cool

Yeah, I have some older pics. I'm expecting a new body soon and will be giving it a new look. If you check the "My Lightning Stadium 10" thread you can see more about it there. Here's a direct link for you:

http://www.rc-monster.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4964

Since the photos in that thread, I've gone to a Spektrum radio system, new motor mount, new heat sink, new Proline tires, adjustable aluminum shocks, and soon a new body. I guess I don't have a photo with the body anyway. Oh, and I've cleaned it since then too. :005:

Hey GorillaMaxx - you should tell your dad to get the Lightning Stadium 10 :027:

I think since HPI and Hot Bodies are under the same umbrella, they would have the same engine. Not totally sure there. Sorry for my bias :005:

thant is ok. Yeah i was thinking of that but i never got any farther. the downsiide is LHS's dont carry parts but i will look into it. Got an estamite speed on the stock nitro stadium 10.

No I don't, I went right to brushless. My LHS orders the parts for me and it usually takes under a week to get them. Do you have a HobbyTown USA where you're at? If so, they can get parts for you. The good thing is that you won't need to get parts very often since it's pretty bulletproof. Good luck either way you go!

yes i do have a usa near me i will think about it.

Here's some better photos and stuff on the Lightning Stadium 10.

http://www.hbeurope.com/kit.php?partNo=66509&lang=en

I'm thinking of doing something similair, so i was wondering:
Would a 5700 on 7 or 8 cells be alright? (as in have enough power to set off etc)
What pitch pinion are you using on it, and is it with the stock spur?
Would i have much or any chassis flex with 7 or 8 cells?
Thanks

I think the 5700 is nice, but I have to use a 10t pinion that Mike here at RC-Monster made for me. I am using the stock spur gear too and that works great. I would actually go with the 4600 motor on a 4 cell lipo if I had to do it all over again. Mostly because the 10t pinion was a pain to figure out and get done.

I can't say about the 7 or 8 cells since I am a lipo guy. I can say that the chassis flex for me is no problem. Hope that helps.

That may be the most hostile looking little dog I've ever seen......or is is "pissed off" , yeah thats it..........He's the most "pissed off" looking little dog I've ever seen!

When you're that small you have to make up for size with attitude :027:

pinolelst

I'm with you guys - that dog is awesome. Looks like it would fit in your pocket too.

With the look on his face................

NOT A GOOD IDEA!

OK, back on the topic... I actually ran the 5700 on 6 cells in mine before my lipo and charger showed up in the mail (just couldn't wait). It actually ran pretty good, not quite up to the speed I wanted, but very nice. I think 8 cells would be excellent for that motor as it is (almost) too much on 3s lipo.

I am using 12 tooth mod1 pitch pinion with the stock spur gear (now with 4600).

The radio tray on the MT2 helps to stiffen the chassis, if you remove it to do the brushless conversion, the chassis will have some flex. You may not have a problem if just running in paking lots, but if you do any off-road racing or jumping you will be busting or bending center spur assembly. You can use the upper deck as I did, or just run a couple turnbuckles from the front and rear bulkheads to the center somewhere, like a 1/8th buggy.

I'd probably leave the upper deck in as it mounts the servo to it i take it? also i'd probably keep it so i could put the reciever where you have put it, i was thinking of modding a hot bodies radio box to it, but then i thought forget it when i could mount it to the upper deck. So 12 teeth is the ball park figure then, even if it turns out to be a bit undergeared. My T4 is slightly undergeared as of now, but it still amazes me how fast it is on 6 cells.

I am just starting mine, I have one of the older mt2 (Probably around 1995 or so)
I already have a MM 5700 setup for it. Maybe I should have gone for 4600, oh well.
I plan to run 3s A123 cells, so the voltage will be closer to a 8-9 cell pack, Any idea what pinion I should run. The mamba has a 3.2 shaft also, you guys just getting a reducer for a 5mm Pinion.

Thanks IN advance, Oh I will be a mixx of onroad and offroad.

Highflier

You may be fine with the A123 cells on the 5700. Start out with a 12 tooth pinion, haven't seen any 1/8th pinions in a while, so the bore reducer is your only choice.

I know this is a real old thread. Just thought I would let all know that Megausa is now selling MOD1 1/8 pinion.

My project is moving again. 1 last task the dreaded Motor mount.

Highflier