I found a body with no %#@& nitro holes. It is a JConcepts Illuzion for the mbx5; I had to get the mbx5 mudgaurds so it all fit up nice. I got the mbx5r mudgaurds which have a little strip of velcro on the sides to hold the body closed. I always used to run my old racing 10T that way. The body has a couple of "hood scoops" on the sides (see pics) which I cut out to give air flow to motor, etc. I got the extra heavy one (adds 1 oz) just to help protect things. Not too happy with my paint job either, I just need to invest in a better airbrush (and maybe better color selections. lol).
I used AAngels idea to put the esc up on a deck, thay way I could put my fan back on it. It never thermaled on me, but I like how cool it runs with a little fan. I had a little scrap piece of carbon fiber plate just the right size for the deck and a couple extra radio tray stand offs which worked out great. Now with the mamba in its new location, I finally found a good spot for the switch; right between the wing uprights, no more fishing under body for switch (now harder to do with sides velcroed down).
The Lehner 1930/8 seems to be working out well, I shredded 2 sets of tires in the past 2 weeks. One set was already bald though, so I guess it doesn't count. Been running 12/46 gearing which seems about the best for tire shredding torque and race speed (37mph using BrianG's calculator). I tried running 14/46 gears, but I think it will be way too fast for the small indoor track I run on mostly. And running the 14/46 really started to get the mamba hot without the fan, about 185 (runs about 165 with 12/46 and no fan). The motor only got about 5 degrees hotter with the 14t vs the 12t (from 175 to 180). I am now using a tc3 heatsink on the motor and now it runs around 165 with the 12t pinion.
I got my new Flightpower 3700 battery yesterday and will go run it shortly. It has dropped my weight below 7.5 lbs. I am at 7 lbs 6 oz with race tires. Just hoping I get enough runtime with this battery; looking for 20 min to be safe in 15 min mains. I managed to get about 30 min with the 5000 maxamps battery, so I think it will do it.
Here's a few new pics:
