CRT.5 as my next basher?
 

Hi guys, I am new here but I have been watching for a long time. Im no noob either.

I have a couple questions for you guys regarding CRT.5s.

My birthday is coming up and I want something to replace my Pede. It was a great truck but its days are numbered for now.

I was thinking something along the lines of a CRT.5. Its nearly the size of a Pede, 4wd and it should be cheap to convert once I get everything out of the Pede.

I am mainly a basher though. I do run on tracks now and again and my track (Leisure Hours) has occasional CRT.5 mains. I think it would be fun to race against some nitros but still have a great bashing truck.

So my question to anyone who has converted one is... Is it a good basher? I am by no means easy on my trucks. I can be if I have to but I like the "Go Big or Go Home" aspect of R/Cs.

I was also planning on running my Sidewinder 5700 and TrueRC 2s 5000mAh lipo and gear accordingly. Would that be enough? Can I pull it off without having to drop $135 on a Mamba Max ESC? I only really need like 35mph, enough to hit a ramp and go high LOL.

If not, what else do you guys think would be a good replacement? Im not too interested in another Pede or Rusty, Slash, Bandit. Id like something 1/10th scale and 4wd if possible.

And for all you guys saying that I should go 1/8th, Ive already got a 1/8th project.

Sorry for the long rant. I wanted to be precise so you guys have a feel for what I am looking for.

- Ben

Well, the CRT.5 is a good basher. Pretty strong and built like an 1/8 scale vehicle. However, I would not use the 5700, it will just heat up when geared at anything over ~25 mph, especially in the heat of summer. You can still use the sidewinder ESC, but run 3s on a 3300-3500 kv motor. The Medusa 36-50-3300 works well in my CRT.5 and is much stronger and stays cooler despite being the same physical size externally. And running 3s on a lower kv motor is more efficient than any 2s setup, and the SW will handle it fine.

Some will say to get Mike's extended kit. It makes it closer to 1/10 scale, but don't know if that's in your budget. If you do go this route, I would get the 36-60-3100 and still run it on 3s.

Huh. 3s might be a problem. Could I pull off 2s with a lower KV motor? I spose I could get a 3s lipo but I have a couple 2s lipos and it would be easier for me to run those.

Well, now that I think about it, Easter and my birthday are like 13-14 days away. Maybe I could work on getting a 3s lipo.

Its great that they are tough though. Thats exactly what I'm looking for. I know CRT.5s can handle pretty well too.

Do you know of any cheap lower KV motors what would work well? Maybe an Ammo? Ammos from what I hear are pretty decent and are good performers for the price.

Thanks for your help.

I will have a converted CRT.5 to sell in a couple of weeks time if you are interested...

You get what you pay for w/motors, so....if you have to , my suggestion would be to save for a GOOD motor....(as Brian stated above, a 3300kv 50 series Medusa on 2s is a good choice..) so you don't have to buy another one after your inexpensive one blows up in short order. I have 2 crt.5 and love them...one is my daughter's which is in my sig...the other I am redoing and it will have a super stretch chassis...:whistle: and I am running that one on 3s w/a 1509 Neu motor.

Mike's extended chassis kit is well worth it IMO...Best of luck w/your choices!:mdr:

Also, welcome the the forums!

Thanks! I think I will like it here!

I think I might be selling my E-Maxx soon so a nice Medusa might not be out of the question.

As for the chassis, well time will tell. I wont be suprised at all if I end up with one but for now a CRT is just a dream.

I really hope I can pick one up. As long as this economy doesnt get worse or something bad happens, one is in my future.

Thanks for the help guys and keep it coming! I want to know the most I can about this bad little rig!:mdr:

I recently bought a crt.5 and im runnin a VXL on 3s and its the most fun. I cant tell you if its a good basher or not because i havnt built a battery box strong enough to keep the battery in the truck.

+1 on 3s & a medusa 36-50-3300. Its a fantastic combo.

If you want to stay on 2s, I have a lehner basic xl 4200 that I could sell you. I was running it in my crt.5 on 2s and regularly getting 35mph with good temps on 16/46 gearing.

I've broken a lot on mine. But I also have it geared for 70. . . :whistle:

Actually, I would run 3s. 2s will require a decent amount of current to get the speed you want. And not only is high current less efficient, the sidewinder might heat up a bit. My full MM ESC heated up quite a bit running the 4600 on 2s, and that was geared 46/12. Needless to say top speed was crappy. I can't imagine the Sidewinder will fare any better heat-wise on 2s. And using normal 2.2" tires is effectively like gearing up a tooth or two, so that just makes things worse.

Yeah, you can gear up the 3300 to compensate, but the required current of a low kv motor geared high will be just as high as a higher kv motor geared down to get the same speed. So you don't really gain anything. 2s can work, but I would definitely go 3s. Believe me, I didn't relish the idea of buying new 3s lipos either, but I'm glad I did. Now, my setup is not nearly as finniky with gearing.

I think you'll be happier overall with 3s. And any comparable 4wd vehicle will benefit from 3s, so this doesn't apply just to the CRT.5.

I will find a 3s somewhere. Maybe a Zippy. Cheap but amazing.

Thanks for your help Brian! Any other info anyone has would greatly be appreciated!:yes:

Just to conflict :) - I run 2s and gear up with the Medusa 50 3300 and it has no issues - lots of fun.

I have the enerland 25c hardcase lipos though...

I also have some ma 3s lipos or dual stack to 4s if i want to have crazy speed.

I think you just like to conflict for the sake of conflicting. Every forum has one (or two). :wink:

Seriously, it depends on the quality of the battery. A 2s setup can be done if using really good cells that can deliver the current while maintaining decent voltage. To be fair, I was using MA 5Ah 2s packs, and know that was some of my problem.

My misprint Brian....I meant to say 3s not 2s.. Thanks for the clarification!

Any other tips or info I should know about the CRT.5? You guys have been very helpful with my questions.