On-road BL project

[BrianG]

Now that Revo2 is done, I'm looking at doing another conversion. This time, something a little smaller than 1/10 scale, but bigger that 1/18 (if there is such a thing). This one will be strictly on-road (parking lots and the like). I want 2wd, have low ground clearance (~1/2"-1" max), have a very firm suspension, solid frame, ease of maintenance (where getting to one part does not involve disassembling the whole thing), and want a wide stance for cornering.

What is a good buggy-like platform for ease of finding OEM and aftermarket parts? I don't want something that will be discontinued tomorrow where parts may be hard to find.

you got gte a schumacher rascal and swap the nitor engine for a bl motor...drop it down low and put some on-road 1/10th tc tyres.

[BrianG]

Hmmm, I think that's too small. I was thinking about something like the Jato, but I don't hear of too many people converting that and I wondered why.

[Tom F]

Xray T1M?

Corally Mini Assassin?

Tamiya M04?

[Batfish]

if you definitely want 2wd and something buggy-like, your best bet is an Associated B4 buggy. You'll need to make some modifications to make it into the car you're looking for, but it may just be your best starting platform.

[BrianG]

Thanks for the suggestions. The three that Tom F suggested seem to be car frames, and 4wd. Batfish's suggestion is a little closer. I'll do a bit more research on the Associated buggy. Thanks again!

[Tom F]

Ahh missed the 2wd bit lol

A B4 or Losi XXX would be a lot of fun i think...very light too

[captain harlock]

Yeah, I once ran my B4 with 12 nimh cells and a 480 size motor. The speed was lightning and the buggy even wheelied and flipped with the onroad tires I was using at that time.

[Re~Mix]

If it's strictly on-road and 2wd and inbetween 1/10th and 1/18th, why not a 1/12th pan car? Those things are simply r o c k e t s when matched with brushless and 6 cells.

[seth556]

I saw at my LHS a 200mm nitro tc with a BL conversion and some high-end Ni-Mh batteries, it looked very clean and super low CG.

[Batfish]

Originally Posted by Re~Mix

If it's strictly on-road and 2wd and inbetween 1/10th and 1/18th, why not a 1/12th pan car? Those things are simply r o c k e t s when matched with brushless and 6 cells.

1/12th scale pan cars are indeed fast. I actually have a SpeedMerchant Rev.3 that I'd be willing to sell - especially with the purpose of a good project :003:
They can be set up very firm and they are VERY easy to work on. Everything is essentially mounted to one CF plate (chassis) with a motor pod in the rear.
The only issue with these cars (when used outside of the carpet world) is usually ground clearance. My car, when set up to run on the carpet, has about 3-5mm of ground clearance. You could definitely set the car up for some speed runs on asphalt by putting new tires on and not cutting them down to normal running diameters.
I'd consider 3s or 4s lipo with a 380 motor and good speed controller. Should be able to get a good 2000mah (or larger) high-discharge lipo to fit the battery location, and Quark 60A controller with a 380c motor to fit in the little thing. That could absolutely fly. Just don't hit a pebble...or a crack in the road...or a spec of dust...at those speeds :003:

[BrianG]

Hmm, then maybe a dropped buggy might be a better solution for me. I plan to run primarily in parking lots and such where cracks, seams, and pebbles are a certainty. I don't want to send my vehicle careening into oblivion from hitting a tiny crack!

After looking at the Associated buggy, I don't particularly like the motor so far back. Won't it have a tendency to wheelie with the weight there? That's kinda why I was leaning more towards a Jato - that and both my LHS have tons of traxxas parts in stock. I won't totally discount the Associated one though - I think one place nearby has one for sale so I'll check it out.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[Batfish]

The Associated B4 is one of the top two supported buggies for racing (the other being the Losi buggy), but if your local shop doesn't have much support for it you are likely better off with a different choice that your local shop DOES support.
Although the Jato does have the opportunity to mount the motor in front of the rear axle, that also cuts into the room you have to mount other items. Also, when I converted my Jato and raced other electric stadium trucks, I'm pretty sure the Jato was about 1 lb. heavier than the others. This has quite a bit to do with the extra weight of the transmission and aluminum chassis.
A 1/10th scale 2wd electric buggy will give you the smallest, lightest 2wd form to get you started, so that would be what I'd advise.

As I initially stated, though, your best bet is almost always to own things that your local shop supports. It will help out the shop owner and yourself at the same time.

Keep in mind that if you can't find it in your local shop, www.RC-Monster.com is just a click away and rcmonstermike@gmail.com will do everything he can to get you any parts you need! :003:

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by Batfish

The Associated B4 is one of the top two supported buggies for racing (the other being the Losi buggy), but if your local shop doesn't have much support for it you are likely better off with a different choice that your local shop DOES support.
Although the Jato does have the opportunity to mount the motor in front of the rear axle, that also cuts into the room you have to mount other items. Also, when I converted my Jato and raced other electric stadium trucks, I'm pretty sure the Jato was about 1 lb. heavier than the others. This has quite a bit to do with the extra weight of the transmission and aluminum chassis.
A 1/10th scale 2wd electric buggy will give you the smallest, lightest 2wd form to get you started, so that would be what I'd advise.

As I initially stated, though, your best bet is almost always to own things that your local shop supports. It will help out the shop owner and yourself at the same time.

Keep in mind that if you can't find it in your local shop, www.RC-Monster.com is just a click away and rcmonstermike@gmail.com will do everything he can to get you any parts you need! :003:

Like I said, I won't discount the B4, but the motor positioning is the first thing I saw and didn't like. I'll also take a better look at my LHS, but they seem to be mostly stocked with HPI and Traxxas parts - I could have missed some stuff though.

And, I know full well where RCM is, where do you think I'll be getting the BL stuff from? :dft012: Sometimes it's just easier and faster to get the small stuff from a local shop - ordering stuff online won't let you pick up a broken part to have you up and running the same day.

[Batfish]

Originally Posted by BrianG

And, I know full well where RCM is, where do you think I'll be getting the BL stuff from? :dft012: Sometimes it's just easier and faster to get the small stuff from a local shop - ordering stuff online won't let you pick up a broken part to have you up and running the same day.

Agreed - Like I said, always support your local shop. If you don't, they won't be in business when you need them.

:003: