Thanks for the input man. And yeah I am not going to gear the car for 85, put it on the ground and see what happens. Probably start somewhere about 50-55mph gearing wise (I think that will be pretty safe) and take it from there. I think you are right about having to go with packs on the sides. More I think about it the more likely it will have to be so. I have seen a Mugen (not sure which one) but it had 2 x 2S SMC hardcases mounted on the inside of the chassis. That sounds good but I will need higher voltage than that.

Hows this for an idea? I do have a spare 1518 here also. What about if I use one of Castle HV plane ESCs (with Pistix of course) and use the mech. brakes? Run that setup on 8S. How do you think that would go. Should draw a bit less amps but geared for 85mph it will probably still be an amp hog. Not sure which would be better 8S and 1518 or 6S and Tekin T8 2250?????????

Was also thinking of getting some longer shafts made up so I can move the pulleys and the center belt further awat from the chassis. This might give me enough room to run the batteries in the center of the chassis (couple of stick packs laid across the chassis. Not sure how this would go. Might have to speak to my machinist friend and see if can knock up longer shafts.