1515 1y/f & Quark 125b... What to build?

So I got the brushless bug and decided on a whim to buy a 1515 1y/f I found and a Quark 125 ESC. Now I just need to buy a car for the system! I am some what new to RC, so I am still trying to decide what 1/8 to get. I have been going back and forth between a 1/8 buggy and 1/8 truggy and even Revo.

I currently have a VXL that I love for street runs more than anything. The new car is going to be primarily used for flying at high speeds across baseball fields and track usage with occassional parking lot speed runs.

First, should I got with a buggy or truggy and what brand? Second, which brand is recommened for these conversions?

[bdebde]

If it is mostly for speed, I would go with a buggy, they handle better at high speed. Just about any brand can be done, the RC-Monster store has mounts for most. I like to pick a brand that you can get parts for at the local hobby shop.

[JeffEmbracedDC]

I'd definitely suggest a buggy. They're less expensive to start off, less expensive to maintain, go faster, handle better and are notably lighter. The benifet of a truggy would be the more suspension and wider tires for heavy off-roading.

Some say the 1515 sized motor is "too much" for a buggy, though I've got a pal locally here who's pretty happy with his. I'd take one in a heartbeat if I could afford it.

Personally I'd suggest a Losi 8ight or Associated RC8 buggies. They're a little more expensive than some (Ofna, etc) but it shows. Especially when racing. If you're not racing or it's out of your budget - you could same some $$$ and go for a more primitive buggy such as an Ofna such as a Hyper 7 where you can find a used roller on eBay for about $100. They're great buggies and they make great conversions for play-use.

Mike offers motor mounts for all 3 buggies mentioned as well as several other cars (revo, xray, Ofna CRT, Ofna CR Buggy, Mugen, etc).

-Jeff

[skillx]

My vote is for buggy as well. More specific a Kyosho.... I am loving mine....

Ok... buggy it is. I think I am going with an rc8. I ordered an rc8 mount, tray, heat sink, and motor covers from Mike. What else do I need to make this conversion work? What 5mm pinion do I need? What kind of plugs are needed for the battery, motor, and ESC? Are people using Deans or Powerpoles? What amp size do I need?

[ib4200]

Originally Posted by Edumakated

Ok... buggy it is. I think I am going with an rc8. I ordered an rc8 mount, tray, heat sink, and motor covers from Mike. What else do I need to make this conversion work? What 5mm pinion do I need? What kind of plugs are needed for the battery, motor, and ESC? Are people using Deans or Powerpoles? What amp size do I need?

you need an rc8 kit too lol

[lincpimp]

Originally Posted by Edumakated

Ok... buggy it is. I think I am going with an rc8. I ordered an rc8 mount, tray, heat sink, and motor covers from Mike. What else do I need to make this conversion work? What 5mm pinion do I need? What kind of plugs are needed for the battery, motor, and ESC? Are people using Deans or Powerpoles? What amp size do I need?

You can use deans or traxxas connectors for the battery to esc. I usually direct solder the wires from the motor to the esc, as I have had issues with the bulet connectors. People use 5mm and larger connectors and report success, so you may try that.

[jnev]

I like deans for the battery to ESC connection. I have also had good success with 5.5mm bullet connectors between the motor and ESC.

I think I will go with the Traxxas connectors since I already have balancer set up with those. How do you connect the bullet connectors for the ESC and Motor? I am assuming I just need to solder them on?

Anyone know what 5mm pinion sizes I need to get from rc-monster?

[jnev]

That is correct, you just solder them on. The first one may be a little challenging, but you get the hang of it pretty quickly.

So I think I have everything for my project. So far I have:

1515 1y/f
Quark 125b
Quark Heatsink
2x 40mm Fans
RC Monster rc8 Mount
14 & 15 tooth mod-1 5mm pinions

I am going to purchase the rc8 from my LHS this weekend and order the 4s 6000 Lipo. Is there anything else I am missing? Do I need an external BEC with the Quark?

I also need to pick up the bullet connectors as well for motor and ESC. Will the Traxxas connectors handle 4s or do I need another type of connector for the battery to the ESC?

God knows I can't afford this car, but this stuff is like crack.

[lincpimp]

Running an external bec will help the qaurk stay cooler. The ccbec is great and for 20 bucks it is a great deal. The traxxas connectors should be good for higher voltage, less current will be going through them than the vxl can pull.

Enjoy the crack, just clean yourself up before you go back to work.

[Patrick]

You do need a external bec for anything over 10 cells nimh with the quark.
You don't need to buy any bullet connectors. The quark should come with a set 5.5mm plugs, which are the ones I've been using for the last year without issues.

I appreciate all the feedback. I am getting excited and hopefully will have a functioning Electric RC8 by next weekend!

However, I am having buyer's remorse about the Quark. It might be unfounded. I guess since I am new at this I just want to make sure I am getting the right stuff. Some seem to say it runs great and is the smoothest ESC and excellent customer servive, but others point out it has some serious heat issues (and others haven't had heat problems). Given that after the heatsink, fans, and potentially having to use an external BEC, I am already at the cost of just getting one of the high dollar MGMs with way more capacity than I could ever need which people say barely get warm.

Should I stick with the Quark or swap it out for an MGM? What are the downsides to getting MGM instead?

I can't really see myself having to use 6s very much if at all given I will be running at 50,000 rpms. I don't even wanna know how fast that would push the car on the street with a big 1515 in it - but I may have to see!

I primarily plan to drive the snot out of the car on a RC track on 4s which gives me 32,000 rpm and should embarrass any nitro. I don't race (yet), but will probably start. Every now and then I might do some street runs or drive across an open field, but my Rusty is really for that. I am not the sharpest tool in the shed with the electric RC stuff yet, so I really don't want to get into having to do a whole lot of modifications and ghetto rigging of stuff to make it work properly either.

Help!

[BrianG]

Buyer's remorse is understandable when you plunk down serious cash for such a small thing. The Quarks are VERY VERY smooth and run just about everything out there. I love both of mine. Also, warranty is fast and easy from all reports. But, yes, they have heat issues, which can be rectified with a little additional heatsinking. And yes, they don't run at anything over 5s well. So, if these concerns are important enough, then maybe you should go to an MGM.