Losi 8E 2.0 Opinions

Hello,

I had a plan for this racing season but now it's getting all mixed up and I can't help but wonder if I should just go with the new Losi 8 buggy and 8T 2.0's. I wonder if any of you have opinions on the vehicles and the Losi conversion kits. I'd be most curious to hear about durability and race worthiness.

I suppose since Losi has a fully converted 8E 2.0 shipping next month, I'd also welcome feedback on the Xcelorin ESC and motor.

If you don't have a 2.0, I'd also welcome feedback on the original releases as well.

Thanks,

[hoovhartid]

I have been happy with my eight-e that i converted using the losi kit that I bought from mike. It was a very easy install. I dont use the Losi Electronics. I use a MMM/ Tekno Neu 2200 and a 4s lipo. So I cant comment on the xcelorin(sp?) stuff. But the mechanics of the buggy and conversion kit itself seems pretty solid. My only cpmplaint with the buggy is in the slop of the front end. It seems to do fine at speed, but sitting on the bench there is considerable wobble in the front end that I cant seem to get tightened up. Its almost like the rc18 syndrome.

[hootie7159]

Originally Posted by hoovhartid

I have been happy with my eight-e that i converted using the losi kit that I bought from mike. It was a very easy install. I dont use the Losi Electronics. I use a MMM/ Tekno Neu 2200 and a 4s lipo. So I cant comment on the xcelorin(sp?) stuff. But the mechanics of the buggy and conversion kit itself seems pretty solid. My only cpmplaint with the buggy is in the slop of the front end. It seems to do fine at speed, but sitting on the bench there is considerable wobble in the front end that I cant seem to get tightened up. Its almost like the rc18 syndrome.

+++1 on the front end slop...i never could get it entirely out....my sc8 and rc8t have zero slop...

[Semi Pro]

Originally Posted by hootie7159

+++1 on the front end slop...i never could get it entirely out....my sc8 and rc8t have zero slop...

where and when does this wobble happen, my 8ight that i just built seems to be really tight

[hoovhartid]

Originally Posted by Semi Pro

where and when does this wobble happen, my 8ight that i just built seems to be really tight

run it for awhile.

you'll see what we mean.

[JeffEmbracedDC]

Originally Posted by hoovhartid

run it for awhile.

you'll see what we mean.

Bigtime!

I've been running my original 8ight for about a year and the front end slop is ridiculous. Luckily it's fairly easy to minimize slop. You can shim the hubs and arms with there http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...oducts_id/2787 and it works well. There's still the issue of the crappily designed steel-on-steel steering rack that develops slop almost immediately. I suggest either getting a king headz steering rack which has brass bushings http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ducts_id/27104 or make your own with bearings.

Oddly though - I'm having a strangely large amount of slop in my front wheel bearings as well as the steering rack bearings which cause a good amount of the slop. I'm going to put in new bearings and see if it helps much. I replace them pretty often but I'm not sure if I have for a little while...

Originally Posted by hoovhartid

I use a MMM/ Tekno Neu 2200 and a 4s lipo.

Thanks for the reply. Did you modify the motor to take a 4mm screw? I've read that 3mm screws and the Losi mount have a little play.

Originally Posted by Electric Dave

Thanks for the reply. Did you modify the motor to take a 4mm screw? I've read that 3mm screws and the Losi mount have a little play.

I'm running a mamba monster in the losi mount using the supplied 3mm counter sunk screws. With a bit of lock-tite and tightening them down good I havn't had any issues in the 3 months running it so far on 6S lipo in my 8T.

[hoovhartid]

Originally Posted by Electric Dave

Thanks for the reply. Did you modify the motor to take a 4mm screw? I've read that 3mm screws and the Losi mount have a little play.

I could have swore I replied to this....i must be losing it

I did not modify to 4mm screws.

I use the 3mm with some loctite. The only time they got loose was when I did a nosedive.

[JeffEmbracedDC]

In the 2.0 kits they fixed a good amount of slop issues as well as many other 8ight 1.0 bugs. I love my 8ight and I would really love an 8ight 2.0.

The 2.0 steering rack now has pressed bushings so slop doesn't develop anywhere near as quickly. They have also included captured rod ends on the steering linkages as they would constantly pop off on the 1.0. Overall they fixed a lot of steering issues. However the materials used to make the arms, knuckles and caster blocks is still the same and does wear after a few months of running. A few shims should do the trick. The rear-outer hingepins have been beefed up, longer chassis, lighter shock towers, lots of tweaks and upgrades to the original 8ight. If I had the money I would definitely have a 2.0 on its way to me. As far as race-worthiness goes I say the 8 2.0 is definitely a winner. They only improved on an already awesome platform.

So yes the losi conversion kits. I think the conversion kit is pretty nice. Honestly I would stay away from the xcelorin motor and ESC. Anyone I know who has used that and then tried a Mamba Monster combo swears by the mamba monster combo. I've seen several 1/8th xcelorins go bad (motors and ESCs) and heard a lot about cogging issues which were solved by the mamba monster.

Now on the hardware side of the conversion - I kind of dig it. The motor mount seems pretty nice. I really like the design but it is heavier than the RC Monster motor mount. I haven't used Losis new mount personally so I can't give a complete and accurate review.

The battery tray is of decent quality and the fact that it puts the ESC behind the battery instead of above the rear center drive shaft or top plate of the diff stand offs is nice. It results in a comparatively lower COG. The box is of good build quality. But again - probably not the lightest of all options. Personally I have a battery box made of thin aluminum that was then reinforced with fiber tape. Extremely light and extremely durable.

The radio tray is good.

If you're worried about weight - maybe go with the RC-Monster motor mount and a custom battery box. If you're worried about pricing and convenience I'd go with the Losi hardware conversion kit. But either way - definitely go with the Mamba Monster (2650kv) combo.

If you build your own battery box keep in mind the possibility of a "quick release" design for quick pit stops in longer mains.

-Jeff

[FG101C]

For me the 8-T and 8-B seems to start handling better with the slop that starts developing.

[hootie7159]

once the slop monster set it I always had a hard time keeping a straight line coming out of a turn...i don't have this problem with my associated's...