My new race car... and it's a V-8!

[bdebde]

Ok, so it isn’t really a V-8, it’s a Hot bodies Ve8. But with the spelling of the E being small, I think it would be pronounced as a word rather that the letters V and E. At least that’s way I say it. I pre-ordered it a couple of weeks ago; it shipped yesterday and should be here Monday (pics to follow soon after). Yay!
Winter race season starts in less than a month and I will be getting serious this year since they now have electric class for 1/8th. Last year, Christmas weekend races, they quit letting me run with the nitros (Merry f’n Christmas), too many complainers.

So on to the power set-up:

MMM
Lehner 1930/8 (2613kv) configured as Y/star, for about 1500kv and increased efficiency over the D wind
RCM (C-Tech) 2600mah 6s 30c hard case lipo

I picked about the smallest and lightest battery and motor that will give enough power, since they are on the same side. The mains are only 10 min, so that should do it. I already had the Lehner and used it in my other 1/8th buggy and it worked well on 4s, should be even better on 6s. Only running motor brakes to keep weight low, but that may not help with the balance, we will see. If I don’t like the plastic chassis or the balance or whatever, I can always get a techno or stock D8 chassis and slap on the parts (and RCM motor mount of course).

I need your help/suggestions for a steering servo. I run a Hitech HS5645 in my other buggy; price is reasonable and it has worked well. I want a good fast servo that won’t break the bank since my RC budget is running low after purchasing car, batts, MMM, transponder, etc.

I will be getting some pics of the parts and build if I can stop building it long enough to take pics. I get so excited to build a new kit it’s hard to stop until you get tired. One of the reasons I got the HB was because it is a kit and I may like building more than driving.

More to come…

[rootar]

we run a 1350kv 1512 in josh's mp9 with the rc-m 6s 2500s and its cutting it close in a 10 minute main, you could consider him a pro driver he he really pushes it hard but most of the time in practice he can run 12 mins, im betting youll see 11-13 minutes of run time, depending on the track. its a good setup and very light

i run a 1512 1700kv on 5s 3300 and its almost the same weight setup as josh's (mine is 36grams heavier, which is not even worth mentioning really)


looking forward to seeing the build and how it turns out.

[Marvin]

For a reasonably priced steering servo, get an Ace DS1015 (or Associated DS1015), or a Savox. Both are good quality digital servos that have a fast transit time and plenty of torque.

Be nice to see a Ve8 ready to go. They're a bit pointless in the UK as the electric class hasn't taken off yet, and larger batteries are not really an option with the Ve8, but in the US I bet it'll be brilliant.

[bdebde]

rootar; good to hear that I am not too far off on battery size. Thought I may have to go to 3300 6s to get enough run time, but the weight is a bit more than I wanted to carry around.

Marvin; I will check those servos out, thanks.

[bdebde]

So, I have been busy with work this past week and have not had much time to work on the new rig or get pics up. But, at least the overtime means more money for the RC budget!

Now for a few pics:

Step 1... make 2 modifications. The first step was to install battery straps... the ones they give you are just 2 pieces of velcro; 2 hook and 2 loop, no way to pull them tight (they just overlap). First mod was to use 8ight-e straps and second was adding a piece of servo tape under the clamps that hold the straps. I was worried that the straps could pull out from under the clamps without something else to help hold them. First pic shows my modded straps and you can see the straps they give in the second pic (sitting on table).

[bdebde]

I have the chassis all together now; everything went well and fit up and quality seem very nice. I did have to loosen and retighten the center diff a couple times so it wouldn't rub. The clearances are very tight around the spur gear. Also, Hot Bodies screwed me on one part; got 2 front body mounts and no rear one...sent them an e-mail.

[bdebde]

And a few more (the cat likes it... black like him, lol)

[bdebde]

OK, one last pic, then it's on to building shocks and installing the power rrrrrr(in the voice of Tim the Toolman Taylor).

[brushlessboy16]

Looks great!

still not to keen on the tiny battery tray

[Semi Pro]

cool, i cant wait to get mine

[bdebde]

Originally Posted by brushlessboy16

Looks great!

still not to keen on the tiny battery tray

My local track has 10 min. mains for electric 1/8th scale; don't need much battery.

[bdebde]

So, The chassis had these 2 extra holes in the ESC area, but no screws or anything called out to go in them.



Hmmm, looks like one of these will fit... sure enough!



I had to order a whole bag of 50 screws just to get the 2 that I needed. I also had to cut the switch mount off as it stuck out past the side of the chassis.

[bdebde]

All finished except for painting the body and the missing body post (on it's way from HB). Body post should be here tomorrow, and I will be painting the body tomorrow as well (hopefully).

Ended up trying an Orion Vortex VDS1409 servo; 14kg (195oz) @ .09sec. Local hobby shop gave me a great deal on it so I will give it a try. Weight is about 7.6 lbs... not too bad. Hb makes lots of light weight parts, so I could drop the weight some if I need to. The motor/battery side is less than 2oz. heavier than the other side. If I was running mech. brakes, it would probably be perfectly balanced. I will start with gearing at 1:1 rollout; about 33mph. This may be plenty fast enough for the small indoor track I will be running on. Also, since the Lehner motors are rated under load for kv values, I may be a bit faster.

[rootar]

looks clean now get it dirty!

[bdebde]