Return to R/C and THE new Car

[Marvin]

Well, after an 2-3 year absence R/C has recalled me in, and obviously I cannot ignore 1/8 electric...

I think it's great that uptake has been strong in the UK, enough to get the national series running certainly, and now with unrestricted LiPo rules too (though I disagree with 4S limits for buggies, an RPM limit would be more appropriate (motor KV x 3.7V x number of cells) for limitation purposes)! I hope the class only gains in popularity.

I was intending to only race 10th buggies, but it seems that's not possible, so here's my new 1/8th effort. It's based on a JQ Products "THE Car" with the Tekno V4 conversion kit - both are fantastic bits of kit, top notch quality, nearly on a level with Xray, and a notch up from Durango.

As for electrics I've gone with:
ESC: Castle Creations Mamba Max Pro - very capable ESC that's more than enough for a buggy, particularly towards its 6S limits where current draw is reduced.
Motor: Thunder Power Z3R-8 1400KV - very well made sensored 8th motor. There's not a great deal written on it, but TP make great stuff, so I'm happy to guinea pig this one...
LiPo: Hyperion G3 EX 4200mAh 6S - my intended race destination runs 20 minute finals, and this should be enough with some careful driving, and appropriate gearing/set up.
Servo: Hi-Tec HS-5565MH - fantastic servo for the outlay, metal geared digital servo that runs at 7.4V and has great statistics: 0.09s/60° & 14kg/cm torque.
I'm running a 7.4V 850mAh receiver pack to aid the MMP (it doesn't have to use its BEC) and I don't require a regulator as all the radio gear takes >=7.4V standard.

Here's the setup:

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Bodyshell is a FTW body designed for a Tekno-converted Hot Bodies D8. Fits well, besides the front ridge interfering with the body clips a bit.


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Suspension is setup very similar to an 808, so therefore a Losi...


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Offset rear diff like a Losi 8ight, and the Tekno conversion puts the centre diff way back, hence the ridiculous front driveshaft. Also note the similarities in Ackerman plate design.


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As you can see, I made up a custom radio tray out a couple of bits of carbon, then ordered up a couple of standoffs of the height of the Rx battery - this sandwiches it in nicely and I think looks pretty neat.

I haven't run it yet besides the inevitable "does it work?" runs down the hallway, but I'm intending to get it to a practice session on track as soon as I can/before the summer runs out...