Custom 1/8th on-road?
 

Hey guys been missing my onroad since i got ride of it, and i though... Instead of buying one.. Why not convert one of my current vehicles to a 1/8th onroad? So i got started playing around on google sketchup of some ideas. Didnt get very far as its 2am but here some progress i made. Tell me what you guys think?

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...1at15228AM.png

It isnt very pretty, but ive never used a drafting program (if thats what you'd call g. sketchup..) but you get the idea. For the project id keep the 8t's diffs, Center diff + mount make a custom pan chassis with upper deck lay down shocks and 6s. The lenghts and widths are not entirely to scale so that will need to get re done. The motor, however is to scale straight from the specs on castles site. If you guys have any tips, let me know? This project is not 100% for sure but merely the brain storming process. Im going to be looking at the bodies available online for 1/8th touring and rally to get an idea of what my chassis length will be.

For bodies im looking at, I think anything from an old muscle car to new exotics to hatched' ralliers.

http://www.hpiracing.com/kitinfo/106949/ maybe?

Give me some ideas! And since you guys are the pro's here, what are some problems I could run into?

I did a mbx5 conversion to on road as well as a mrx-3.

How did it work out?

They came out pretty good for a hack..lol

First is my mrx-3. Scary fast on 6s...almost uncontrollable.

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/DSC03600.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/DSC03599.jpg


Next is my mbx5 buggy to on-road conversion. I added Revo shocks all the way around to lower ride height and get the stiff suspension I was looking for. On 5s this car flies and actually handles quite well.


http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/DSC03647.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/DSC03649.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/DSC03652.jpg

Inspiring What were some issues you had during your build? Also, if im looking to build a custom chassis, what would you recommend as a test fitting material? Also, whats your wheelbase? 350mm?

Well...the mrx-3 was much more challenging to say the least. I had to make a complete AL tray...shown here...I had intended to do a revised/more precise tray in CF or AL.... Just no time right now. Like I said, it is scary fast on 6s. Actually setting up the MMM esc to work correctly with this car was a big challenge...how much braking, drag brake, punch control, etc..Due to its speed, every tiny ESC setting change made made a huge difference. It took me 3 sets of batts to dial it in.

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/DSC03601.jpg

Finding out which motor mount and size motor would fit was another issue I had to figure out. I ended up going with a Revo Electric mount sold here at RCM. Motor was a 1512 1800kv CC motor...it just fit. Securing the motor mount was another issue...not a lot of room on chassis to drill through. But, I did manage to get it done....have not run it in a yr and it is apart as I needed esc and rx from it....as there are not many smooth plots around me anymore.

As far as the mbx5...piece of cake. IT was already converted to electric as a buggy...I basically just changed diff oils, added new Revo shocks and new street tires and done.....and a new body of course.

My 8t being a truggy is a bit longer then a buggy, so it seems i would have to either, buy a Buggy chassis or make one.. You MRX came out really nice tho. Even with foamies and 4wd its still uncontrollable? I wonder how my 1518 would handle the road? Would really need to be re geared. Maybe my losi 2100kv would be better suited?

I should have stated it this way...in an inexperienced rc'r yes it would be uncontrollable. Believe me, it took me about 4 sets of batteries before I really felt comfortable letting it loose lap after lap. It is so quick and fast that if you lose your concentration for a split sec....bad things happen.

honestly I never really figured my 1800kv would last on the road, especially on 6s, however, it probably had 25+ sets of batts through it with no issues.

You could do one out of a 8T. Just find a set of shocks to lower truggy, change diff oil, gearing and you should be ok. Changeling part would be a body

I dont want to have the goofy, tires sticking out wayyy past the fenders look.. But i will look around. Here is a little teaserr...
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...1at64747PM.png

man this program is suuuper easy to use, im loving it!

On my mbx5 the rear tire width is wider than the front deliberately. Running on bumpier plots I found it to be a tad bit more stable at higher speeds as well as it seems to corner a bit better

Yea im going to look into running wider rear's aswell. I've read that that the traxxas anacondas are great tires to use to bash around on-road, but they dont last super long. I guess its all about throttle input... Looks like my chassis is going to be about 333mm wheelbase.

If you step that up to a 360mm wheelbase you could run Kyosho Inferno GT2 (360mm) bodies, or with a 400mm wheelbase you could run the DM-1, Hobao Hyper 1/7, or Traxxas XO-1 bodies.

Looking for the most possible body choices here, Thats great to know thanks! I need to double check what my WB is currently on my 8T.