1/8 Buggy Advice Needed
 

I am pretty new to this stuff, so please be gentle. So I have decided that I want to convert a 1/8 buggy. I have narrowed my buggy down to either an rc8 or 8ight mainly based on ease of finding replacement parts. I would like some advice from the Jedi Brushless Conversion guys on the forum. I don't really have a tight budget, so I am more concerned about reliability and performance as opposed to cost.

Use: Mostly running at a track during practice and maybe a few a races, but nothing serious. I also want to be able to do some insane speed runs on the street occassionally. I have a FLM Rusty VXL with 3s 8000 Lipos that I love to blaze up and down the street at 65 mph+, so I am looking for similar street power.

Motor: From the research I have been doing, it seems folks recommend the 1512 or the 1515 neu motors as the gold standard. I was leaning towards the 1515 because I may do a Truggy after the buggy is done and might want to swap the motor. Beyond that, I don't know which version is better. The 1, 1.5, 2.5 or y and d winds, etc.

ESC: it seems the quark monster pro and the MGMs are highly recommended. Is one better than the other? Does one have a significant weakness?

Batteries: It seems people run 4s on the track most often, but since I want to go fast in a straight line too I need capability to run 5s and 6s? Is there a recommended MAH? By the way, I am looking to outright destroy nitros on the straights, but still have a car that is manageable on a track My Rusty can barely make it around a track, but puts pretty much any nitro to shame on straights when I have the 3s in it. Too much power for turns. The car just breaks loose and donuts.

Car: Which is the better car for a conversion? Again, I am not an experienced racer, so I probably can't pick up the small nuances between the cars.

I appreciate the feedback.

Hi Edumakted,

I did a hyper 7 conversion ages ago, and love it. However it was a lot of trial and error - there was really no info around at the time! Just yesterday I found
http://www.electric8th.com
which details the whole process for you. It looks like he's done things a little differently than you intend to, but it would probably be a good starting point for you if you're new to all this stuff.

I've used mamba max, feigao and 5s batts with no probs. Will be a heap cheaper than a Neu/MGM combo, though arguably not quite as relaible.

Anyhow, good luck and maybe put up some photos of the finished product.

Check this FAQ:
http://www.rcproductdesigns.com/EightScaleFAQ.htm
You can get a conversion kit here:
http://www.rcproductdesigns.com/OneEigthScalekits.htm
This is a great thread:
http://www.rctech.net/forum/showthread.php?t=158327

These are the best sources I know. ALL of the guys at my track have the same setup and it's very reliable. We all use the Mamba Max (with modifications) and Neu motors. We have 8-12 1/8 buggies and a few truggies at every race (every other Saturday).

Motor: You will be best off with the 1515 if planning to move it to a truggy, but normally a 1512 would work fine in a buggy. The 1515 1Y (2200kv)should be pretty versatile as far as voltage use (4s - 6s).

ESC: If planning to run 6s, MGM may be your only option right now, as many have trouble running 6s on the Quark. Of course the MMM may be out soon (lol).

Batteries: 4s seems to give a good balance for power and weight. But, more voltage will give a more efficient, cooler running system (and more power, Rr Rr). Most are using 4000 to 8000 mah batteries, but ideally you only want to run as much battery weight that will get you through the A-main.

Car: Either would be fine, the RC-Monster store has mounts for both. I would pick the RC8, but that is just me.

Taking nothing away from the RC8, I own and would recommend the 8ight. In my opinion, the off center drive train allows for a better balanced buggy with the least ammount of fab work. Check my buggy out @: http://www.rc-monster.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9219

Thanks for the feedback. I wound up going with the following:

RC8 (I flipped the center brace to the left side for better clearance of the motor fins).
Quark 125b w/ RC-Monster Heat Sink
Neu 1515 1y
RC-Monster Motor & Top Plate from RC Product Designs
RC Product Designs RC8 Battery Tray
CC BEC
4s 5000 Lipos from True RC (Hopefully the perform, couldn't beat the price)
Hardened Pinons from RC Monster - 14 through 18 teeth

Everything seems to be working together ok. I will put pics up this week. I am just waiting on the battery box and the lipos which I should have today or tomorrow to see how she really flies. I will take her to the track this weekend for the maiden voyage. Zero coggging with the my 3s lipo hooked up thus far. Hopefully, I won't have any heat issues with the Quark, it seems to work ok thus far.

Sounds like good choices, I really like the RC8, but I can't justify another buggy right now. Should be good on the track, and you can alway throw a 5s pack in there for speed runs too. Can't wait to see pics.