Jammin X-1 CR conversion build

[Motoman]

I wanted an 1/8 scale buggy to add to my collection but don't like nitro very much. So I picked up a Jammin X-1 CR roller with a bunch of accessories off of Ebay for $160 shipped. I plan on getting the MMM when it comes out. But for now I'm running the MM, 8XL, JR RS300, and 3s 4000mah Maxamps battery. I'm going to go to 4s soon but I'm waiting for my E-Revo to sell along with some other stuff before I buy more batteries. I started by using an E-Maxx motor plate and doing some work on it so it would bolt where the rear brake pads go. With that setup I used the stock radio box without the tray. But, then I got the RCM motor mount (previous version) and get rid of the radio box. Now I'm waiting on the Gorillamaxx battery straps and the new receiver/antenna mount that Mike's selling now. For the battery tray I used some 1/8" X 1.5" angle aluminum and cut it to fit the space between the diff and the mud guard. Then I just used three of the stock countersunk holes in the chassis to bolt it on. The 1/8" aluminum does a good job of taking up the difference in height from the chassis and the plastic mud guard. There's only a little bit of height differnce now and I'm planning on using some rubber pad to cushion the battery and make it level. I'm almost done making the battery mount for it I just need the straps and some padding. I'm thinking of making a plate to bolt on over the center diff to mount the ESC on so it'll be in a place where there's more headroom under the body. Do you guys think that's a good idea, or is it better to mount it lower on the chassis? Any questions comments or suggestions are welcome.

I'm new to posting here and don't know how to post pictures so I just posted attatched pics.

[Matthew_Armeni]

Looks good, very clean. Here's a link from radio control zone on posting pics in forums to help you out, although attaching them is fine (sometimes better, bigger image). I like the ESC plate idea, it'll leave you more room to move the battery around if you want to adjust your weight distribution.

[Motoman]

Thanks for the link, I'll look that over to figure it out. Yeah I left the battery tray long so I could move the battery front to back for weight distribution. Also I figured with the ESC mounted over the center diff I could cut out the front window and it should get plenty of air flow.

[riceman]

Originally Posted by Motoman

I'm thinking of making a plate to bolt on over the center diff to mount the ESC on so it'll be in a place where there's more headroom under the body. Do you guys think that's a good idea, or is it better to mount it lower on the chassis? Any questions comments or suggestions are welcome.

I'm new to posting here and don't know how to post pictures so I just posted attatched pics.

This is what I've done on both my Jammins (CR Buggy and CRT .5). I didn't really have the room to go lower on the chassis. Especially with the .5. I'll have to post pics a little later.

[Motoman]

Well I finally installed the Gorillamaxx battery straps and the RCM receiver mount today. I really like the receiver mount, it makes for a really clean setup. I also just got the Li-Po packs I ordered. I ended up going with 2 Maxamps 2s2p 8000mah packs so I can use them in series on the CR and the E-Revo, and independently in my XXX-T MF2. So far I’m really pleased with the battery tray I made, the batteries seem very secure. I took it out for a test run and all I can say is WOOOW!! I mean I’ve seen 1/8 buggies on 4s in videos but until you see it in person you just can’t gauge how much power they have. Right now I have 20/46 gearing and it seems to be running about 45-50mph. The speed calculator says 53.67mph, how accurate do you guys think this is (I realize there are many factors that affect performance). I haven’t run a full battery through it yet so I don’t know how much run time I’ll be getting. I'll post some more pics once I finish tidying up all of the wires.

[Motoman]

I haven't updated this thread in a while, so I figured I'd fill you guys in. The batteries I ordered are great but in retrospect I probably would have been better off with a 5000mah or 6000mah instead of the 8000mah. They still work, but the body hits the top of the batteries. The good news is they work beautifully in the E-Revo I built a couple of months ago. So, I can use them in all of my trucks. I haven't gotten a chance to run it on the track yet, but I did run my E-Revo on the track and I'm happy to say that it will take on any truggy at the track and leave them eating roost. One concern that I have right now is that one of the Gorillamaxx straps tore apart where the inside hole is. I didn't tear at the hole where it was bolted down. Is this common, or was it maybe a defective strap? I was surprised that it actually tore instead of the velcro comming apart. Maybe you guys can shed some light on this. Should I just buy a new one or does somebody make a stonger battery strap?

Anyway, other than the battery strap tearing I couldn't be happier.

[Motoman]

I'll soon be putting a mamba monster in my buggy and I plan on running it on 6s lipo. Probably the Flightpower 3700mah packs, with a 12XL on 16/46 gearing for about 40mph. Now I just have to wait for my ESC to get here.

What scale do you guys use? Where can I find a good digital scale? It would be nice to know the weight of my trucks and helicopters.

[DRIFT_BUGGY]

There are alot of people waiting for their Monsters. Be sure to update us on how the 12XL goes on 6S

[Motoman]

As I'm waiting for my Mamba Monster I'm trying to decide what batteries to use in the buggy. I aready have the 12XL and plan on using 6s batteries but I'm just not sure what size batteries I need (mah, dimension, weight). I am looking at a Thunder Power Extreme V2 6s 3850 pack that I might be able to pick up cheap. It looks like it would just barely fit on its side. The body would probably slightly touch. What do you guys recommend? How would I go about raising the body a little to clear? I would really appreciate any suggestions and input from you guys.

Thanks,
Steve