How To Step Up An Electric Off-road

[tynebeach]

Hey yall, right now im running with a team losi XXX-T, and Ive had no problems with it at all. The only tihng, though, is I feel the need for speed. I have a pretty slow motor, busings, nothing exceptional. I was wondering, if you guys had $100.00 to step up my car what would you do with it?

[MBTN]

What are you running now? What kind of environment/track are you running in? Sadly, $100 isn't much for RC.

[tynebeach]

Well, right now i'm prerry much doing all kinds of racing, gone to a couple tracks and stuff. But mainly im looking into packed dirt racing, cause thats what we mostly have around here. Im thinking of starting to save money for some upgrades. I know I could use some bearings, a stronger motor, and and a speed controller that has reverse would be nice. This'll probably cost me alot though. I was thinking

Bearings: $40
Speed Controller With Reverse: $120
Faster Motor: $80
-------------------------
$240

Do those figures seem right?

Also, how much would street tires cost for the XXX-T? :flash:

[sarujin]

Those figures look good for americain dollars.

I'rd suggest getting the ESC first if you don't already have one (ie running mechannical), if you do have an ESC keep that for awhile.

Then get bearings, they don't appear to give heaps more performance, but if you don't have them you get alot more wear, and probably won't win races.

Then finally get the faster motor, just remember the faster the motor the more parts you'll break!!

sarujin

[MBTN]

Don't get a reverse ESC, because they are not allowed in racing. However, you can get one with reverse-disable. The Futaba 330 is a good ESC and can handle 16+ turn motors. You definately want bearings before you get anything else. I would suggest going with a stock motor like a P2k2.

[Psman32@af]

God, for that much, you can get the best of everything. You can get a decent ESC for 40. Good ones start at around 60-65 but cant handle the best motors. For a stock motor, look for a Rage Type-R if you can find one, good luck if you do and I want a couple if you do. I have that and a MVP and the Rages are better. To handle a really low turn motor (like 12 turn), id say it would be about a hundred. I currently have a D-4 11 turn and its pretty much insane. It was 55 new as teh P-94's came out 2 weeks later, but I still like my D-4 but its a bit much for racing but I like the motor's powerband cause thats what I'm used to from the rage's. THe bearings should be 30-40 most likrly. As for tires, I found the kind I have for my RS4 work really well at my local track which is hard packed, but they may look a little out of place on your losi. I have Dirt Hawgs by Proline. I think the Bow tie's are popular, but I'll look and ask the next time I go. Also, if you do get a D-4, your batteries may not last long, what kind of batteries do you have?

[tynebeach]

Damn what kinda betteries?

Believe me, I know how to tell what kind they are, but all my R/C stuff is over at my mom's house. Ill be over there though tomorrow and get back to you on that.

Also, what exactly is ESC? :smoker2:

[sarujin]

An ESC is an electronic speed control, its what you have in your car which controls the throttle on your r/c car.

The other way is a MSC, mechannical speed control they work but require an extra servo and wear out easier.

Basically a ESC is better in every application (its just more expensive), you can tell if you've got one as you'll only have one servo in your car (for steering) instead of 2.

sarujin

[Psman32@af]

Also, I did a write up of ESC's a while ago, just change the date on what the browser shows and you can see what I typed up. It is mostly right out of the magazine RCCA I believe.

[tynebeach]

hey thanks alot. Oh an also, do most races permit ESCs with reverse or not? Ive heard of ESCs that you can switch on and off but how much do they run?