Mugen MBX5R Brushless conversion
 

Im thinking of buying a new Hyper 9E and going electric but to do this I would need to sell my current Nitro setup and I dont want to take this huge step.

What im thinking of doing is converting my old MBX5R with a brushless conversion, ive seen the Novak one for $80 but this seems to be geared up for the Novak motors and esc. What I would rather do is buy top line motor/ Esc which I could reuse in a Hyper 9e should I want to take the leap and sell my current Hyper 9 nitro.

Does anyone know if other motors & Esc can be used with the Novak conversion and if not any other conversion kits available for the MBX5 which will?

Cheers

I was under the impression that the motors are interchangeable, as the motor size and screw hole orientation is standardised id have thought (suprised if not). If this is the case, you could choose any combo in you Mugen and then transfer it when the time comes.

I don't usually reply with uncertain responses, so if someone can confirm that motors are of standardised size and fitment then thats what needs confirming.

I would use a combination of the following:

RC-Monster motor mount: http://www.rc-monster.com/proddetail...=RCMmugenmount

Castle Creations Mamba Monster Max ESC/Motor Combo (2200kV) - this system, now with the bugs ironed out, really is bulletproof now, and would be excellent in either the Mugen or the Hyper. When I first got my Hyper 9E, I was asked (I had the first one in private ownership - so far as anyone can tell) about the space for the motor, and there is just enough for the CC 2200kV motor: http://www.horizonhobby.co.uk/autoon...bamonster.html

RC-Monster Battery Box: http://www.rc-monster.com/proddetail...MFPbatterytray comes with straps, and you can get a custom version made to fit whichever battery you end up choosing.

RC-Monster Pinion (though a Novak one would be fine too): http://www.rc-monster.com/proddetail...=5mmmod1pinion

Batteries:
I would use either:
Flightpower's new range of Lipos (the Eon30 range)
PolyQuest's new range of Lipos

But, I'd choose, over those two, the Hyperion range of Lipos (either the VX - 35C or the CX - 25C), as they are cheaper and just as good, if not better than the other two. CX - http://rclipos.com/Hyperion_G3_CX.htm
VX - http://rclipos.com/Hyperion_G3_VX.htm

I'd go with 4S if you want to use the Castle motor, 5S for a motor of ~1700kV and 6S for a motor of ~1300-1400kV. Basically you want the motor's max revs to be between 28,000 rpm and 35,000 rpm, as this is maximum efficiency.

I know that most of those sources are from the US, but I have used both before and their service is excellent. RC-Monster mark your item up at half its value, reducing import VAT, and RC-Lipos reduce the figure significantly, so if you do pay VAT, its a very small amount. RC-Monster also have some excellent forums, where there is a thread dedicated to the Hyper 9E - http://www.rc-monster.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20223

RC-Monster also sell all the different ESCs and most motors, so will widen your choice here. Their prices are very good too, and Mike (who runs it) is a great guy, and very helpful if you are unsure of what to get.

A couple of useful links:
http://scriptasylum.com/rc_speed/_top_speed.html This helps you acheive the right gearing for your set-up, voltage and car. Enter the gear ratios, KV rating, voltage and a few other values and you can fine tune the gearing. Without adding any inches for tyre balloning, aim for about 32-35 mph, and you'll be on the money.
http://www.rc-monster.com
http://www.rc-monster.com/forum

Have fun!

Battery

Thanks Chris that would be great if its a standard size

Wow thanks Marvin great advise there!! will check those links out

Oh, and Chris is right, almost all larger motors (including the Novak, Speed Passion, Castle Creations, Tekin, Neu, Hacker, Lehner, Losi et al) utilising the 25.4mm spaced bolt pattern. The only differences are the widths and lengths (wider = more torque, longer = more torque, but you only need so much, especially considering the weight).

Quick question for you Marvin, for the Monster Mamba motors on the website it describes there operation as follows:

Two choices are on the way.
2650 KV – Intended for 4S (16.8 Volt) operation. Ideal for 1/8th conversions. The 2650 is 67mm long.
2200 KV – Intended for 6S (25.2 Volt) operation. Incredible in monster trucks with up to 6S lipo packs. The 2200 is 75mm long. This is the bad boy

Would you recommend going for the 2200 KV for the buggy? Im thinking the following battery perhaps:

HYPERION G3 VX 5500 MAH 5S 18.5V 35C/65C LIPOLY PACK

Thanks for the advice this looks like it’s incredibly tricky to get right first time..

I know that's what Castle say, but really you don't want more than 4S on either motor when racing. They're referring to bashing, where you can get away with the high rpm.

That battery is an excellent choice, but I'd use a different motor than the 2200kV Castle one. Efficiency is between 28,000 rpm and 35,000 rpm, 2200 x 18.5 = 40700rpm, which will cause the motor to heat up and you will get less run-time. I'd go with the 4S 6500mAh pack instead with the 2200kV.

Thanks for the help mervin, ive spoke to mike today off Monster RC and he recommend a 1700 KV motor as he thinks 2200 will be to much for racing, would you agree? Its tough getting this right and I know everyone has there own ideas on this..

I would really like 20 mins run time if possible so perhaps a 1700 KV would be better what do you think I also dont want to be overtaken by the Nitro boys hehe

Well, it all depends on the voltage you run it on, 4S is not really enough on a 1700kV, you need 5S for that. However 4S is enough for a 2200kV motor. It all depends on the voltage used. Aim for 28,000-35,000 rpm (multiply the motor's kV by the battery's voltage).

Another option for the conversion is the Caster stuff which is a direct fit for the MBX5 (several guys in the US have done it now)
It does mean you end up with two pack locations if you already have a couple of 1/10th packs that can be utilised.
Off the top of my head the motor mount is about £15, battery boxes £8 and if you wanted a chassis the RTR one is about £35 though its not really needed.
There is a ESC Mount as well which is about £4...

Just another option.

Ah I see thanks guys, Pete the caster stuff sounds like a great idea for the MBX5, do you know anyone which has spares in the UK?

In all honesty most will need to order them from us for these bits as its rare that people need them..

We have them all in stock and can get them to any store pretty quickly..

Ordered the Caster esc mount and a motor mount from RC-Monster in the end. What else do i need though, if i want to run the reciever from the Lipo do i need anything to reduce the voltage or are these included in the ESC? Im got a secondhand MM 3 does this have this feature? Also what do people do for reciever boxes and dont want to run without one? Anything else im forgetting...

Yeah, MMM does have a 6S capable BEC, so you can run the Rx off the main Lipo. I don't normally use a Rx box, it's extra weight, and you can just 'balloon' the Rx anyway.

Thanks Marvin, cant wait to get started began striping the car today. May start a progress thread hehe