Which 1/8 buggy to convert for racing?
 

I’m looking for the 1/8 buggy that is best for racing after being converted to electric. The top buggies all seem very competitive in nitro form, but converting to electric can throw the handling off some.

The buggies I am looking at are:
Associated RC8
Losi Eight
Jammin X1X-CR
Ofna Hyper 8.5

I like the AE and Losi for local parts availability and the AE is the most updated buggy.

I like the Jammin because they can be had cheap on Ebay and at one time was thought to be the best.

I like the Ofna because I’ve seen side by side battery trays for it that would be convenient to use my existing 10th scale race packs.

I know there are some other nice buggies out there like the Mugen, Kyosho and Cen. I don’t know much about any of those models, but I would consider any comments on them.

Thanks,
Scott

Mugen MBX5:yes:

David,

I've seen the MBX5 for a really good price, which is nice, but is there more to your recommendation?

You know, like how it handles, or is it durable, does it have good parts availability?

Thanks, Scott

I have the Mugen, and its quite durable for the beating I have put it through. I would say the conversion needs a tad more to it if you want to use the kyosho 46T spur gear. You will need a kyosho or similar center diff. Or you can use the MSR part that mates with the ofna 51T spur.

I would say so far, the cleanest looking conversion is the losi 8ight as you still retrain your receiver box.

A local buddy has a Losi 8ight he wants to sell, so that is a prospect at this time. I have noticed that the 8ight sets up very well brushless. My only hesitation is that I've read some reviews that it is not quite as competitive as some other buggies. Of course that might be splitting hairs?

The Mugen is bulletproof, the parts is all in stock at A Main Hobbies, and i don't know why Cain spoke about the Kyosho 46T spur gear:neutral: You'll never have need it, just keep the stock Mugen center diff, and go to RCM website for the Mugen motor mount.

This buggy is a beast:yes:

Reason I mention the 46T spur is that its pretty common for conversions to keep things quiet, and in some cases more durable depending on the pinions you use. That is just one option to think of if you want the plastic spur setup. If not, its not a big deal.

As for what is competitve, I say give a few vehicles a whirl and see what you think.

I'd like to run the kyosho spur, but its low on the list of must haves. When running with other nitros you certainly won't hear the metal on metal of the stock spur. However, when I run my e-crt.5 at the local indoor electric track I do get some stares because of the loud blender sound it makes. I tend to drive with my ipod on so it don't mean nut'n to me.

Whoops, I just noticed that there is an mbx5"R" out that is about twice the price of the sale on the original mbx5. I don't know how big of a difference the "R" makes, but I hate to start with an outdated buggy. :no: Still if the Mugen is that tough I'll keep it in mind.

The MBX5R has updated suspension geometry and bigger shocks, with the shock towers to go with it, as well as steering rack.

I have an MBX5 that has some of the R parts on it, and with the steering rack and R front arms, it can turn on a dime, almost too much steering.

If you are really concerned about that though, your best bet may be to go with an RC8 since it is the new kid on the block.

Well I've been doing some research and asking few experts and it seems it has come down to two vehicles. Either the Losi 8 or the Mugen MBX5. Why?

Losi 8 - I have a buddy with one that is supposed to be for sale soon/now. It converts very nicely and has a lot of local support.

MBX5 - This can be found new for about $300, and has a good reputation for durability and solid handling with a few minor tweaks.

Anyone else have any comments on the Losi 8 vs the MBX5?

I'm going to say mugen because IMO the quality of the parts is much higher. Maybe Losi's new products are better, but I always chose ae over them because of they're quality. Just look at the MLST.

I would check the quality first, maybe ask around some forums to find out more about the 8t, but the mugen is superior in existing set ups since its older and a world champion more than once, has better quality aluminum upgrades, but the two handle SO different, so you really need to drive both. Drive the 8t, if you LOVE it, you probably won't like the mugen. If you don't really like the way it drives or only like it or think it's OK, get the Mugen for sure.

In the end, it all comes down to which one you think drives better, and parts support. Nothing else really.

Is $319.00 a good deal for a new MBX5, not the R version? How much better is the R version.

http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...oducts_id/1817

Supralover, what is different about how the losi and mugen handle?

I'd like to hear more about how the two compare. I've been told the Eight has a bit of a push, but the MBX5 has a lot of a push. However, earlier in this thread Cain posted that with a few minor parts changes the MBX5 can be made to have lots of steering.

I prefer something with a little sharper steering especially since I plan on using electric brakes that make it a bit more difficult to swing the rear with the brake. In the winter I plan on driving indoors at a mostly 10th scale track, so again sharp turning is important to me.

I don't know much about the MLST, but Losi 10th scale buggy and truck tend to be more durable than the AE stuff that is until the CR stuff came out. However many feel the AE is easier to drive consistantly. Overall, I think both companies are very competitive at this time.

If you have the chance, give both a drive at your local track. that may be the best way to really tell as everyone will have different opinions.

You have to drive the 8t really aggressively to be competitive, where as the Mugen you don't really have to go last lap final turn hard in every corner.

I guess if your a super aggressive driver, get the 8t, but if you want durability and consistency, the mugen is unmatched.

May I also recommend the rc8?

Although, this all means nothing unless you drive one, everyone is different.

I will say I have been very impressed with the quality of the parts used by mugen. They feel top notch.

I have been putting my Kyosho through its paces for the last few weeks now that a track has opened about 1/2 mile from my house :whistle::whistle::whistle:..

http://www.rc-monster.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9531

I will say this about Kyosho quality and durabilty. I have owned about 25 or so different hobby quality rc's in my 34 years. Probably 50 or more if you count the Radio Shack junk I got as presents...:lol:

NOTHING!,and I mean nothing, i have ever owned has matched my Kyosho in terms of durabilty and quality of parts. About the only brand I have not tired has been Xray but all the nitro guys at my LHS have jumped ship from Losi to Xray so that has to mean something. My 10 cents....my 2 cents are free...

My problem is the local 1/8 track does not open for about another 2 months and is about 1 hour from me. It would be tough for me to drive other vehicles. With a short season I need to find something before it opens to get it converted and somewhat setup.

RC8 does seem really nice, and if I was going nitro I'd probably go that route. But, doing an E conversion I don't want to pay top dollar for a new car, convert it and find it's not for me. I'd rather find a used deal or something like the MBX5 that is being closed out.

My buddy has a used 8ight and hopefully he'll sell that to me, unless I find some other great deal before.

Your Kyosho looks great. How's race against nitro buggies?

The car does an awesome job. The driver on the other hand....:lol:...Getting about 20 minute run times safely on that setup with the MM set to NO lvc. It is crazy fast and can do things on our track the nitros can't with the instant torque. I love it and am currently looking to sell my 8T and convert a STRR Truggy and go all Kyosho... Since getting the buggy it has made a believer out of me..Interested in a 8T? I will make an awesome deal for you complete or just as a roller :yes:

Link to 8t ==> http://www.rc-monster.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7921

Here's my take.
The Losi turns very sharp but has a few weak points to address, one thing is the center to front driveshaft is tiny so a Mugen one fits in. If you are a smooth driver and land jumps flat it is a very fast buggy. If you land of kilter it can be a handful

The Mugen is a tank and lands jumps flat, angled etc and easy to drive, very tough though the position of the drivetrain is a bit more work to get things balanced

The AE (which I now have) corners almost as good as a Losi, lands jumps like a Mugen and out of the box setup is really good. I am impressed with this buggy.

Xray quality is by far the best materials. It is the most adjustable buggy made and that is good and bad. You could end up tuning yourself out of a setup.

Kyosho is good too. GS Racing, Team Magic, Nanda and bite my toungue CEN even

Best bet is to buy what you can get parts for at the lhs so less downtime and you can get setup help at the track because chances are it'll be more common. I chose AE this year because the distributor is about 40 min drive away and I can get parts fast. Last year I think I supplied more Xray parts at the track than all the lhs sold lol. (I had almost 4 buggies in parts plus I bought out a team guys supply after he switched brands)

Just to comment on the quality of 8ight parts, I am quite amazed by the quality of the molded 7075 shock towers and the chassis. I also love the giant shocks it has. If you do get an 8ight and want quality parts make sure you get the race roller and not the rtr version. They are different. I don't think the performance would be any different though.

well, my jammin is abeast andeasy as pie to convert. Newer than the mugen and tower was blowing them out for 360 or so plus discounts its the same price as the mugen. Id get that after owning one.

LOL... that might be because Xray just went "china" and cloned the 8ight!!! :lol:

Hopefully they found some tweaks to make it more stable?

The RC8 and 8ight are nice buggies and can be super agile and fast, but they are more twitchy and not as stable (easy to drive and good on rough stuff...) as some more conventional cars.

I love my 8ight but I can't deny that the rear can be "happy"... and I haev yet to run on a big rutted out track.

Tell you what guys, since we are talking buggies... from what I'm hearing, the new Caster car is REALLY a good big-race big-track car. It handles great, like a Mugen/Jammin, but with steering and more stable.

I'm going to be running one this summer. I haven't run it yet, but my buddies that have are pretty pumped about it and they have driven most of the big brands.... and are more hardcore 1/8 than I ever will be.

Just wanted to throw that out there. Caster is an unknown right now, but I think it won't be for long.... muah ha ha ha

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the great replies, especially those of you will multiple car experience. I just won't have the opportunity to try any 1/8 buggies before the season. It's not a surprise to me that there are number of good buggies out there with strengths and weakeness.

The Mugen sounds like an easy choice being both tough and forgiving to drive, although only the mbx5 is in my budget and not the mbx5r. I don't know how big of a deal that is?

The Losi seems very competitive being both tough and agile. Maybe a little harder to drive in the rough, but there are a lot of setups out there claiming to work good in the rough. I'd get good local support with Losi.

I do like Jammin (I have a crt.5) and it's won a lot and there are a bunch of conversions on this site.

The AE RC8 doesn't seem to have faults and for some reason I really like the idea of a very progressive suspension system. I've seen them for as cheap as $450 new, so it's close in price and may be worth the extra $ to have the latest buggy out. This one also has great local support.

As Glassdoctor has mentioned the Caster has developed a strong following over on rctech.net and seems positioned for a strong 2008 season.

I guess the list could go on and on....

What it really comes down to is which one is the best after being converted to electric? I won't be going exotic and having custom machined parts made, but rather using the great stuff from RCM and maybe one of those machined side pan battery trays.

At this momment I see:
1. Losi - I can get a good condition roller from a buddy and it converts nicely.
2. AE - I love the look of that buggy and if I'm going to spend extra $ it will be on the latest stuff.
3. Mugen - the mbx5 is available new for low $ and it seems with a bit of work in can be a competitive racer.

Decisions...decisions...?

You should also consider the new Xray buggy. Its due out in a few weeks. The XB808. It looks like it has taken allot of the best design features from many of the buggies you mentioned and melded them together. Downside is its not proven yet. But knowing Xray and the way the XT8 performs I'm betting its gonna be a heck of a buggy this year.

Just thought Id throw it in. I didn't read the entire thread so if it was already suggested and dismissed, just disregard this comment.:wink: