XT8 & MMM - 1st Impressions
 

Well, I got my MMM from Mike yesterday and got right to work. First I had to build a platform for the MMM and I did that out of CF as shown in the first pictures. Then soldered everything together before heading to the track - here's what it looked like:

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...PLatform02.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...Platform03.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/IMG_3480.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/IMG_3479.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/IMG_3478.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/IMG_3475.jpg

So, after getting it all set up and programmed - we went to the track to test it out. The results were excellent. I'm running a 6s NeuEnergy pack and a Neu 1515 1100kv motor and it ran perfectly. My gearing doesn't allow for the 40mph speed I was after, but it got up to about 35 or so on the track. Still pretty good and easy to fix.

Now for the downside. After a few crashes here and there we heard something loose inside. Here's what we saw when we pulled it off the track:

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/IMG_3482.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/IMG_3481.jpg

I put it back together and even put a couple spots of super glue on it, but it kept happening. Last night I took it out and did a full bead of super glue around the contact points so I think it will work fine now - we'll see. Just something for you all to be aware of in your planning.

Your truck looks nice. A lot of people complain about ESC being in a bag and all, but sometimes it makes sense. I would've thought Castle would also secure it with screws so situations like this won't happen. When you run it again, wrap some electrical tape where the 2 halves of the case meet. A zip tie or Velcro would also work if you can get it under the ESC tray you have there.

Thanks - I have to say I love the XT8. It's way better than my old CRT. Turn in and handling are incredible.

And about the electrical tape or velcro, actually the base tray of the esc stayed put. It was the separation of the MMM casing that was the problem. Hopefully my superglue job on the casing last night will take care of it.

Looks great! Glad to hear it is running well. If it continues to separate wrap a zip tie around it, it will not come off again.

If you look closely at this picture you can see the black zip tie I put around mine.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17...M-Day/mmm3.jpg

Yeah, I suppose I could do that. However you would think that the casing would hold it's integrity together - more like the MM. I feel pretty good that the superglue will do the trick, but I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for the compliments!

glad to see it's finally worth the wait! speaking of waiting, i still don't have mine back yet for the conversion - but hope to soon. i bought the kit back in november 07. :lol:

i see you added the aluminum rear chassis brace - did you get a chance to run the stock brace first? just curious about how much it changes handling.

Why did you take the labels off? There are 8 snaps, but the label helps keep everything together in hard impacts...

I meant to say use the electrical tape on the Monster's casing to hold it together. Superglue works too :lol:.

Actually no - I bought it from a guy that had run it just a few times and it came with that as well as all of the other upgrades. Things like the aluminum hinge pins and captured conversion, aluminum uprights and steering blocks, hub extenders for 0 offset, and a few other nice touches. I love this truck!

Hey Patrick! Well, the reason I took it off was because the adhesive on the sticker and the texture of the plastic casing were not a comfortable fit for me. The sticker comes off very easily and I didn't feel it would be a good contact surface for holding down my investment.

See, I was going to use servo tape on the bottom of the MMM casing to the CF tray I built. And when I investigated the sticker that wrapped the bottom of the casing it wasn't a really firm adhesive. A bond is only as good as the surface it's applied to, and it just wasn't comfortable for me.

Hmm, that's not good... those labels should bond REALLY well to the polycarbonite case. I'll have production check to make sure there isn't any release agent on the cases we have in stock.

Yeah, I peeled mine off very easily and it left no adhesive on the plastic. Wasn't strong at all. Otherwise I would have no problem keeping it on there. I was worried that in warm weather it would get even worse. Anyway, thanks for being accessible here Patrick!

Hey Sower...that there sig line of yours is out of date. :yes:

I suppose you're right!! I'll get right on it :yes: