Nitro vs Brushless

[Shark413]

I have just finished my brushless 1/8 buggy (described in another post). I now have two 1/8 scale buggies of the same make, one nitro and one brushless. And now I am wondering which is fastest around the track? Well if the weather holds up I will take both buggies out to the local track and make some timed runs. If everything works out I will post the results. Which one will be faster? You choose..

Specs:

Buggy 1 = Kyosho Inferno 777 SP2
Engine = OS V-Spec .21 VZB with OS 2050 tuned pipe
Wheels/Tires = Kyosho Orange spokes, Proline BT (rear) CF (front)
Futaba FASST rx
Fuel = Sidewinder 30%
Gearing = 46T spur, 13t bell (stock alloy Kyosho shoes and 1.0 springs)
Shocks = CEN 16mm Big Bores with RMV progression med springs.
Brakes = Kyosho special semi metalic pads and precision ground rotors.

Buggy 2 = Kyosho Kanai III
Motor = Feigao 8XL
ESC = MM with fan with remote UBEC
Wheels/Tires = Kyosho Green spokes, Proline CF (front/rear)
Futaba FASST rx
Battery = Maxamps 4s2p 6000 mah
Gearing = 46T spur, 12T pinion
Shocks = CEN 16mm Big Bores with RMV progressive hard springs
Brakes = Mechanical, Craddock fiber rotors.

[What's_nitro?]

Have you driven the BL at all yet? I'd put my money on it so long as you can control the tire spin. 4s+8xl is a powerful setup.

[Shark413]

What's_nitro?, I have been running the BL buggy in different configurations for about 8 months. I think I finally have the setup I was looking for (added mechanical brakes). I took it out last weekend and it performed great. I really can't tell if one or the other is faster. They both feel fast in there own way, so I am kind of wondering myself which is faster. We will see....

[skillx]

I might have missed this is another post or something but any chance we could get a couple close ups of the mech brakes on the BL car?..

[Shark413]

skillx, check out my other post titled "Mechanical Brakes". It's a few post down from this one.

[Shark413]

One other thing, the folks here have allways been very knowledgable, helpful and respectful. Other sites, well .... anyways I just want to say my intention was more of an informal test, I am not recommending one over the other. I have both buggies available so why not see what they can do. I realize that there are so many variables (setup, different technologies, my driving skill, track conditions, etc.) that either buggy could come out on top. I just thought it would be interesting to see (in this particular instance) which buggy was faster.

[JERRY2KONE]

I would think that even if they are very close in speed and handling, that the BL would be a better choice due to the fact that it will excelerate much quicker due to the instant torque from a stand still. As it has been stated on here many times the nitro's have to rev up to get that maxx torque that the BL's have right away. Getting it to hook up on the dirt right away may be the trick though. Still it is cool to have indentical builds that you can compare.

[supralover72]

Nice buggies. I don't really think you can compare the two though, since it's pretty much all driving style and tuning. For example, instant torque for electric, but smooth trigger finger, but heavier center diff oil, but faster rotation, but easier to correct, and vice versa for nitro.

Plus, the nitro's balance will change as there is less fuel, and when it gets leaner it will go faster, so it's not very consistent.

[Shark413]

Here are some pictures of the track where I will run the test and some of the Racers that show up for the bigger events.



Jared Tebo and Travis Amezcua



Masami Hirosaka 14 time champion, check out that stick radio.


Mark Pavidis


The track, the layout has since changed since these pictures were taken.

[JERRY2KONE]

Hey nice track and quite a crowd as well. Looks like a fun place to run with loads of compitition to keep you busy. Plus you can get a lot of "word of mouth" advice for whatever is on your mind.

[jhautz]

My X-rays are 7lbs 15oz for the Brushless (including 5s 4350mah pack) and 7lbs 7oz for the nitro (then add an estimated 5oz for a full tank of fuel) so 7lb 12oz with a full tank.

Without the Lipo the brushless is 6lbs 11oz.

[auto2]

my 2 xrays weigh the same with a neu 1515 and a 4s 3700 pack and rear mechanical brakes

[MetalMan]

How do the weights of the actual buggies compare as rollers? I know they are similar (Kanai III vs 777), but I wonder if different parts make the Kanai III heavier.

[Shark413]

MetalMan, my Inferno 777 SP2 (nitro) weights 7 lbs 12.4oz (no fuel or rx battery). The Kanai III (brushless) weights 7 lbs 12.6oz (with no battery). So like I said most of the weight difference is in the lipo battery.

Non-Stock parts:

777 SP2: Fioroni shock towers, Steering plate. Reckward chassis braces, CEN CNC knuckles, CEN 16mm Big Bore shocks/RMV progressive springs. Kyosho bonded brakes.

Kanai III: Racers Edge shock towers, Racers Edge Toe in plate, King headz chassis braces, Knuckles and C-Hubs. CEN 16mm Big Bore shocks/RMV progressive springs, Craddock fiber rotors, K-Factory hinge pins. King Headz steering plate.

yeah so there is a lot of extra aluminum on both buggies. I went for a little extra durability over super light weight.