New E-Maxx needed w/ GMaxx Chassis?

My stock 4-month-old E-Maxx is pretty thrashed. I would like to build a nice project out of a GMaxx Chassis, Suspension, Motor Plate, and a Brushless Motor & ESC. My question is:

Should I buy another E-Maxx to get most of the parts or just start from scratch? It seems like I wouldn't be using very many parts from a new E-Maxx and most of the ones from the existing car are thrashed. I can't imagine the radio, receiver, wheels, etc. have much resale value.

I'm also going to try to build/find a buggy or stadium body to fit and get the overall height down.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[supermaxx]

Are those parts in really bad shape or not?

would you like a full g-maxx with aluminium or just gorilla chassis and stock parts?

[MaxxFusion]

It really depends on the shape the parts are in. On my gmaxx (which you can see in a couple threads down) there are only a few stock parts on it. I had a rtr emaxx and as I upgraded the parts I sold the stockers on ebay or in the traxxas forum.

It really depends on what your intentions are and what kind of budget you have for this project.

[RC-Monster Mike]

If you don't think your current truck is worth much, keep it for parts. You will need the tranny anyways. Then, you can build the g-maxx and upgrade as you breaK stuff (diffs, cvds, etc). This will allow you to spread the project over a few weeks without breaking the bank all at once. Although if you have the $$, and a lack of patience (like me!), you could pretty much build from scratch (just need a transmission).

The stock E-Maxx was bought for my 8 year old son who was pretty abusive and now has a Rustler. I want to build a very nice project with little compromise. Cost is not very important other than the fact that I wouldn't want to spend so much that I would not want to run it hard. I would like to make sure that I can't break any really expensive parts like the chassis. I don't mind spending $300 for a new E-Maxx but - am I really going to use any of the parts? I'm mainly interested in driving the truck, not tinkering or building it for show. I would like it to go a little faster than the stock one did with 7 cell packs and would mainly go brushless for maintenance and battery life.

I was assiming I would buy the G2 Chassis for low CG and the G3 Suspension for durability, tunability, and handling. I was pretty disappiointed in the lack of directional stability of the stock E-Maxx but fixed most of that by moving the shocks out to the lowest ride height position, which dropped it 1/2" and going to Losi Zombie-Maxx tires that helped to get rid of most of the vices of a square cornered tire. Cornering increased so much that the truck now wants to roll even easier than it did before which I hope to "solve" by lower batteries and motor.

Thanks for the help!

[RC-Monster Mike]

Really, all you need is the tranny from a stock e-maxx. The g-maxx chassis with extension kit will solve your tipping issues very nicely, as well as improve handling in general(jumps better, handles rough terrain better, etc.). When you go to brushless, you should consider upgrading the diffs, driveshafts, center shafts and transmission idler gears. Aluminum bulkheads also toughen it up quite a bit. The g-maxx skidplate are also a nice option (lighter and stronger than stock). Obviously, your needs will depend on your driving style and terrain, as well as the brushless sytem you end up with and how many cells you run.

So I'm thinking to go ahead with the extended length G2 and the G3 Suspension and the motor mount. Since it will inevitably get high centered since I will be using it off race tracks as well as on, I assume the aluminum chassis will hold up better than carbon fiber. What do you think?

Can you supply me with this? Since I would need a longer driveshaft, I might as well get the better ones now - can you supply?

Am I really only going to use the trans case from the E-Maxx?

I get the impression you are in the East - Is it reasonable to ship to SoCal?

I have a Novak Brushless that is still in a sealed box and could be returned. Is that reasonable for my use or should I go another way? One of my main bitches about the stock motor/ESC was the first step on the controller is too sudden - makes it hard to crawl over rough stuff for fun - maybe I should have kept my Range Rover.

[RC-Monster Mike]

Either chassis is plenty durable. You won't get high centered as often as you think! I ship all over the world, so SoCal is a no brainer (ship there all the time). If you are into the low speed stuff, the Novak brushless will be an excellent choice, as it has a sensored design that lends itself well to slow speed control. I have everything in stock and ready to ship (including center shafts, cvds, etc.).

[ryanvm777]

I live in Newport Beach (so cal) mike has shipped prety much everything but the transmission to me. I purchased an emaxx for about $300. I didnt know much about the e-maxx before I started. If I knew then what I know now I would have just bought the parts from rc-monster.com to begin with. I also have the carbon fiber g-maxx and havnt had any problems with it. I went with it because it is lighter.

[Sylvester]

i also bought those chassis, they will come in this Friday. I hope they are durable.

[HotnCold]

You will be very satisfied with the carbon chassis. Mike races a carbon and has nothing but success with it. And racing with some people is like bashing - lol - so it should suit your needs just fine... Dont forget when you receive your carbon chassis to CA the edges to prevent splitting - this is not necessary but it is new now and would be simple to do - just a thought....

[Sylvester]

yes, i know about the glueing, and i hope i have sucess with them,

The parts that I bought from RC-Monster arrived Wednesday and I have assembled most of the basics. Looks like I won't be using much from the oriiginal E-Maxx other than the Transmission.

[toby]

is it necessary to have the chasis extension for a BL?

[HotnCold]

no - the extension chassis is not necessary - however it does add a great deal of stability when racing and it also helps calm down the wheelies due to the longer wheelbase.