i think i found my new project. only i will probably use a mega motor instead of a neu... what kind of voltage do you plan on running?

For the shell, is looks important? I'm looking at options for my high-speed project as well and thought I'd try making a body out of 1/16" thick lexan for strength. Two vertical pieces (one on each side to act as a sort of straightening rudder) and a curved middle somewhat shaped like most high speed bodies (but without the added details) to provide the downforce. Won't be pretty, but this would be just for high speed runs where function is more important than form IMO. For more normal driving (50-80mph), a normal body would work and look better.

Looks aren't all that important, but aerodynamics are pretty complex as you can imagine so a properly designed, moulded shell is the only practical way for this car IMO. Shells with good aero properties for this application just often happen to look attractive too, lol. Making a shell sounds interesting...it might be an idea to do some research on basic aero before designing something though. An important property at high speed is rigidity...if the shell starts wobbling about because of the air pressure, you've got problems :S. I'd say a one-piece, moulded shell would be better, but I'm not saying it can't be done... give it a shot! Post a topic on it mate...it'd be interesting to see how you get along. :)

RevRacer, personally I'm going to be running 6S. Sounds like an interesting project! :)

By the by, I've just placed an order for a Windtunnel Racing XHS velodrome shell...I'll post more info and some pics when it gets here. I'll probably also get hold of a Custom Works Camaro Open shell as alternative to test...the more the merrier lol. :)

Yeah, rigidity is very important at high speeds. But I can't find any shells that I think are appropriate for my 8th scale conversion, so I think I'll have to make my own. The plus side is that I can make it any thickness I want. If 1/16" thick lexan isn't enough, I could go with 1/8", but that's seriously thick! Even 1/16" is ~1.6mm thick!

Its all about rolling resistance, momentum, and wind resistance. Tall narrow tires, a long skinny body, and a low Cg (either through weight, or by using aero to achieve it). Look at land speed record vehicles. They are NOT shaped like a lemans car (ie., glorified ferrari/mclaren/etc). Jet bodies are another example. Long, round, and narrow.
If you could get into the programming, you'd want to use as little of your available juice as possible to get up to a certain speed, then crank it up for the high speed burst. Maybe gearing it so that it'll barely get out of its own way to start - as long as you can up to speed and shut down prior to thermalling........heck you might be able to do this without spending much. Maybe spending the money on some custom wheels and a build your chassis based on those land speed vehicles....now I've talked myself into possibly trying one of these!

Here is a picture of my 1/16 inch thick lexan body. It works great (alot better than it looks).

Matt

Oops, here are the pics.

Matt

That's so sweet! But you have 1/64" too much ground clearance. :lol:

What did you use for the "rails" inside the body?

I know some companies are making 1/8 scale dirt oval bodies and you could make a mold of one and make your own out of fiberglass. That's what I'm going to do for the bodies I'll be making (It should take me a while).

mod man is that the record tc3?

No, its my TC4. This is my CF top speed car with a body I made for R&D.

The rails holding the panels together are 1/4 inch delrin strips.

Matt

Did you just hit them with a heat gun to bend them? I may try that to reinforce my GTP body.

No, they are made by cutting the profile with all curves out of a flat panel. There are three strips screwed together to give the final shape. It is heavy but strong.

Matt

That looks pretty nice! It must weigh a bit like you say, but with the power in your car, that can't be a big problem. :) I'm going to try to reinforce my shell(s) with carbon/aluminium rod, and maybe expanded foam. Whatever lends itself to the task.

Actually, stiff foam works wonderfully for reinforcing the body. I use foam kneeling pads available at any garden store. That foam is ideal for reinforcing lexan bodies and making bumpers. It also accepts CA wonderfully.

Matt