SH Z-Car ZMXB-8 1/8 Buggy - Perfect for conversion?

[Shark413]

Originally Posted by Ryu James

is there anywhere you can still buy this Z-car online? it seems very rare but i like how its unique. came across it in an old rc mag tonight and thought i would try to find one online. lucky for me i found the great thread on RCM. great looking rides everyone. where can i get one?

I think HobbyPeople still carries them (and parts). Every month or so they have them on sale, and I have seen them for as low as $199.

[MetalMan]

Well unfortunately Hobby People discontinued the Z-Car line due to low sales. The low prices they've had on the kits and RTRs have been to blow them out. It's sad, but you can still find the buggy under the LRP brand (at least in Europe).

[Nitro Newf]

Hey you don't have to give up on the Z-CAR. They are still available in US and Canada. The Canadian Dealer is www.terranovahobby.ca
Check out this post by the Terra Nova Hobby Team racer about his Z10XB http://www.rctech.net/forum/nitro-of...-sh-z-car.html
I have a new kit here that I have thought about converting to BL (for someone else) I am still a Nitro Adict.
The Z-Car Truggy should also be an interesting conversion because it is basically the same setup as the buggy.
I run the new Z-CAR Buggy, The Z10XB.

[Nitro Newf]

Hey, does anyone else know where I can get a Motor mount for the ZMXB-8 Buggy. RC-Monster does have 1 in stock but when I went to purchase it, the shipping was way too high. Because I operate a website also, I know this is sometimes a mistake.
I have sent about 5 e-mails to Mike @ RC Monster, but no reply.

[el tomaso]

I just ordered the LRP S8 BX. It was like 35% off in a norwegian store. I think building/converting a brand new kit is one of the best things in life I can't wait. I will let my dog, Doffen, give me the car for christmas

From RC Monster I ordered a motor mount, batt tray and MMPro. I have some castle/neu 1800kv motors, in both 1512 and 1518 size. I am planning to run 6s lipo, so I may have to move the rear brace. Looks easy to do from the pictures.

Thomas G

[Nitro Newf]

I have built my Z-CAR ZMXB-8 Buggy and I put in the Brushless mount from RC Monster. I am new to Brushless and probably won't keep this buggy. I love the noise and smell of nitro, and after 10 years, you become addicted.
What would be a good ESC/Motor for a buggy like this?
Is there a way to run the Mechanical brakes or do I just use the motor for brakes?

[simplechamp]

Wait until you try brushless, you might not have such a hard time giving the nitro up!

Mamba Max Pro and Castle or Tekin buggy motor (1512 size) is a good combo for 1/8 buggies.

[Nitro Newf]

Originally Posted by simplechamp

Wait until you try brushless, you might not have such a hard time giving the nitro up!

Mamba Max Pro and Castle or Tekin buggy motor (1512 size) is a good combo for 1/8 buggies.

I will not give up nitro. I enjoy running the nitro. I have a Losi Strike with a Dynamite fuze BL and it is fun for a few minutes, but then I put it away and take out the Nitro Buggy.

Batteries are a great invention, for flashlights.

[el tomaso]

LRP buggy in da house Got it yesterday, but didn't start building because I would have to clean/tidy my workbench first. I have my own system, that most people would call a mess Today, after some thought, I just made the kitchen into workbench number two

Starting build now, I will post pics when it starts to look like a car.
Hope my RCM stuff comes before I finish the build...

Thomas G

[Shark413]

Here is my Z-Car with the mech brakes hooked up. Its a little hard to see but I am running a brake servo just behind the ESC. Because the Z-Car runs the rear brake on the rear diff the motor has plenty of clearence.

[Shark413]

Here is a better shot of the mech brakes.

[el tomaso]

Hey, my build has come to the electrics install. I have three motors to choose from, maybe you can help me. I have castle's 1800kv motors, in 1518 AND 1512 size. Then, I have a NEU 1509 2400kv....

I have a 4s 3300mah 35C battery to use for a ultra-lightweight setup with the 1509 and modded mamba max/MMPro. This was to go in my Hyper Mini STe, but I suddenly wanted to try it in the LRP buggy.

What is the weight of the LRP/Z-car in relation to other 1/8 buggies. Is it among the lightest, or not?

Of course the castle 1518 with 6s and MMM would be VERY much fun BUT it will make it harder to find room for the mec brakes, and I am going to use them.

What would you guys recomend? Thanks.

TG

[Shark413]

I sold my first Z-Car (the one pictured above) but I am putting togther a second one. In my first buggy I ran a 1512 but it gets really hot here in the summer and heat was always an issue. So I switched to a bigger 1515 motor and it ran cool. For my second Z-Car buggy I am going to try the 1512 again (on 4s) and maybe a 1509 on 3s. On my first Z-Car I had the brake servo mounted on an extended center diff mount top plate (along with the esc) so it was completely out of the way of the battery/motor. I think I may run this buggy without the mech brakes and go with a lighter setup using the 1509 on 3s. I also have a Losi 8ight 2.0 and Hot Bodies D8 (both Tekno brushless conversions) and both run big motors (1515) and mech brakes and I want to compare them to a lighter buggy (Z-Car) using motor brakes for comparison.

[el tomaso]

I ended up with MMPro and castle/neu 1512 1800kv, on 5s with mec brakes front and rear. I am going to try the 1518 too, just not at first

The mount and tray is RCM, and I have moved the rear brace over to the left side with some modding, this way I have no problems with small pinions. I am using the springs from a hyper 8,5 PRO with the ofna upper spring retainer over the stock spring cup(or what its name is), as adviced in this thread. Much better damping/spring ratio IMO.

If the snow will melt and evaporate, maybe one day I can drive this car too

Here are some low quality pics(long overdue, sorry), of the car almost finished. The wiring will be dealt with, I assure you






That is my little schnauser drinking in the background

Thomas G

[el tomaso]

The snow finally melted, and I got to try my new LRP buggy on a football-field with short astroturf. It was just amazing, I loved the way it drove, lots of steering on and of power, which I like. I got about 15mins out of the 5s 30C 3200mah battery, which is just fine IMO.

When LVC hit the temps were all under 100f, perfect.

Only problem so far, the centre diff is leaking badly from the hole that has a set screw to seal it. I can guess all three diffs must be rebuilt with silicone/glue to seal the threads of the set-screw. Not fun, but had I read up before the build I'd never have this problem. Its well known.

Thomas G