I've read it somewhere that 700 watts of electric power equals 1 horsepower? Is this correct?
If so, the HXT 80-100-A 180Kv Brushless Outrunner is a 10 horse motor!
I just bought a HXT 80-100-A 180Kv Brushless Outrunner. It is HUGE. I'm thinking about doing an Electric Bicycle with it. Running the ESC that you have pictured and power it with 36 volt Dewalt packs.
You'll never get the diffs to hold up to that motor. Which btw, before you decide on a vehicle to do a Direct Drive to Diff conversion on, take a close look at the diffs and the gear ratios of those diffs. What's the diff ratio on this car? Are they upgradeable or tough already?
The dual outrunner thing might be pretty interesting, but the rear diff ALWAYS see the majority of the load. The rear is where you would see the most amp draw and is where the most useable power would find it way to the ground.
I think it would add another element of uncontrollability. The front being powered the same as the rear but not connected to each other, would make the front wheels spin their ass off, while the rear was getting under the load and doing the work.
The front tries to lift when you accelerate hard. This reduces traction there alot by itself. With actual tire speed not being equal, It would get out of hand pretty quick.
That's a cool looking car though.