The Matrix Concepts carbon fiber losi 8ight chassis
 

ok im going to keep this review short and sweet


afew weeks ago i picked up a matrix carbon fiber chassis, carbon fiber steering drag link set and carbon fiber front and rear shock towers for my lite weight losi 8ight project. Over all the fitment is good, the rear outer hinge brace hole needed alittle sanding to fit and the counter sinking on the replaceable front skid plate could have been deeper

the carbon chassis is 1.5mm longer than the stock chassis
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/DSC03766.jpg

here is a pic of the front countersinking that needs to be better
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/DSC03710.jpg

the rear countersinking
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/DSC03711.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/DSC03709.jpg

so is it worth the money? we will see this race season, does it save weight?

here is the stock chassis weight
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/DSC03770.jpg

and the matrix chassis
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/DSC03769.jpg

so over all it decreases the chassis weight by 99 grams

the steering ackermen Weighs in at just 20 grams, compared to the 38 gram stock one and the fit and finish is perfect.

the matrix carbon front shock tower weighs in at 12grams stock is 24grams
the matrix carbon rear shock tower weighs in at 20grams stock is 38 grams

so over all the matrix concepts parts shaved 147 grams off of my brushless 8ight:yipi:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/DSC03704.jpg

when are you going to be racing it? im really intrested in how it performance.

Also Wondering how much the over all car is going weight when you put the esc, motor, batterys and servo.

Looks cool, You should pick up a piece of carbon fiber and make a piece to replace the motor mount section.

im working on that right now:lol: as well as hinge braces and the steering brace

Just about a 1/2 lb. weight savings...not bad and it definitely has a coolness factor of 10:mdr:

If I remember right I read that they accidentally counter sunk for metric screws and that's why they don't sit flush. I saw this on rctech.

all of the screws but the front skid plate sit flush, i have 4 front skid plates for it, it may be just this one, anyway its an easy fix to just counter sink them right and then CA the holes

well im going to have to say matrix has very bad customer service, i have been leaving them messages and e-mails for 3 weeks trying to get ahold of them about the front countersinking.

we will have to see how this plays out, its not that big of a deal yet since the race season doesnt start for afew more months in Mn.

well good new, i called and left another message, afew hours latter the owner of matrix call me back:yipi: ( i wonder if he reads here?)

we did some investigating and figured out the two front holes were about 1mm off and that wasn't letting the screws sit down all the way on the chassis.

he was very cool on the phone and truely sounded sorry for not getting back to me sooner.We talked about the production and he said i was the first person who has had this problem and that he was sending a new chassis UPS 3day and he was going to test fit it just to make sure i didnt get another odd ball

i also got pics of the of their brushless conversion comeing out :surprised:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/DSC_1810.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/DSC_1811.jpg

i wonder how long before that chassis breaks? im not to fond of the idea myself, a lightwieght 8th scale? its gonna be as brittle as a 4 wheel soon

:lol: so you never raced a 1/10 scale off road before, carbon chassis really depend on the resins they are made with and most will actualy last longer than aluminum. there are tons of carbon 1/10 off road buggys.

why hate on the idea of a lightweight 1/8 scale?


good news, i got the new chassis and everything fits great on this one

I've been running their chassis since late December and haven't had any problems. To keep wear to a min. I use the De racing front bump skid and the rear one. On the rear one I add a thin line of CA glue in the front to keep it from curling and ripping off (bonds great with CF), which was a problem running it on my nitro. I also run the xtreme CF front shock tower instead of the MC one as it's a little thicker.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...h_SANY0484.jpg

I NEED that:surprised:

Check out Mr. C's new Virus chassis:

http://www.ace-cars.info/DE%20AC/dow...%20Chassis.pdf

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I was wondering how this chassis has performed in race conditions. Any update?

great, so far, everything has worked flawlessly, its getting pretty scrached up but we all new that was going to happen

So you think carbon fiber over aluminum for chassis design? I have been wondering about that.

I can tell you guys that Semi Pros buggy just seems to glide. It jumps without an issue, and it makes in air changes like nothing ive seen.

im very happy with mine


both my 8ight and my revo have carbon chassis and havent been a problem


if you can afford it i say go for it, even way over geared my buggy runs effortlessly. everyone who has seen it in person is just floored by how it handles and jumps

How does the chassis wear? I know that my chassis gets a fair amount of wear on it. Had to get a new bulkhead recently and noticed how thin section that pokes through the chassis got! It definitely looks pretty sweet.

I've replaced the front and rear skids once since I've owned it. If you use the DE racing skids front and back, it keeps wear to a minimum. The front wears faster right at the bend since the de bump skid doesn't cover it. The rear could last forever with the use of the de rear skids, just drop a line of Ca glue to the front part to keep it from peeling (CA bonds great with CF) There is no question on durability for sure, last race they were using large wooden jumps and I was tripling the double double every once in a while, at the end of the last qual I lost traction on the face of the first jump and cased the top of the third wooden jump from about 25 feet landing almost straight down on the middle of the chassis. The car hit so hard it bounced up probably 12 feet. Several people came over after the qualifier wanting to see if my chassis was bent (they didn't know it was CF) I couldn't even find a mark where it hit. Several people said that if it would have been Aluminum, it definitely would have bent from an impact like that.

im still useing the first skids, i bought 3 sets just to be safe, so far i have been repairing every scrach every race just to get the most out of the chassis.

as i said before, im very happy with the performance of the chassis

i started making my own carbon chassis' last fall and have loved them. with the exception of my 1/5 all my conversions have carbon chassis and have held up very well. in fact, the 3mm carbon chassis on my rc8t took a major beating one night and never had an issue: our track had just got a huge skateboard style wood jump installed a few weeks ago. the first night racing i couldnt resist trying to pull some back flips. in the races the 1/8s typically have to hit this jump very slow to avoid major air time and breaking your car. anyway, i hit the jump and pulled a large back flip. next lap i did a double back flip, and the next lap i did a triple. needless to say to pull a triple back flip you have to be like 30ft high. so i was catching huge air, like XXXmain type stuff. i did not land on my wheels everytime and despite the hard landings and crashes i took my chassis just kept on going. so i am a firm believer in carbon fiber chassis. i wanted to make my own available to the masses but have had trouble getting everything setup to machine them in large quantities. also, my carbon chassis' weigh nearly 6 ounces less than the aluminum chassis. i have never used MC carbon parts but my own rides are equiped with carbon all over and i have never been disappointed.

Good to hear... I am sticking with stock right now, but looking at options for a future upgrade. I really debating over whether or not to go with Tekno, Matrix, or the BCE chassis. CF has a lot of benefits though.. anyone know how they stack their laminas?

cf chassis
 

i'm wondering about a CF chassis for the D8. Can anyone talk about difficulties on fabricating one? I seen toyeast and 3racing sells the sheets, probably 4mm would be fine. How about cutting and drilling?

its not hard, easyer than aluminum but you will need to ware a dust mask when working with it

honestly i would look into getting a Ve8 chassis if i were you, im planing a buying a Ve8 soon to use as my new basher buggy

i have made over a dozen carbon chassis for my 1/8 buggies and truggies. it isnt too bad but does take time and you do need to wear a respirator mask at all times. not just one of those cotton paint masks but one of those rubber masks with replaceable filters. look in the paint section at home depot and you will find them. breathing carbon dust is like asbestos. it never gets out and continues to cut your lungs every time you breathe.

also, 4mm is too thick. i have doen 5mm, 4mm, and 3mm chassis. i never thought the 3mm would be thick enough but i have 3mm carbon on all my truggies and buggies and never had an issue. plus it saves the most weight. if you go 4mm you wont be saving much weight plus it is much harder to work with. also, it doesnt flex at all and this hurts the performance of the buggy. you want a little flex and the 3mm works perfect.

for the kickup needed on the front end of the chassis you can use a propane torch to heat it up from a few inches away. practice on scrap piece first. once it gets hot enough you can bend it, clamp it to the stock aluminum chassis, and let it cool. then you have the same angle kickup as the stock unit and if you do it right the carbon will not lose its integrity. one thing with carbon chassis just be sure to run your chassis brace in the front and the rear. the only time i broke one was when running without a rear chassis brace. just like an alum. chassis would bend dramatically without a rear chassis brace. but carbon breaks, not bends.

anyway, hope some of my experience helps. i still make all my own chassis out of carbon to this day. i keep different thicknesses of carbon on hand at all times and always use it for custom parts. it is a great material. it is not the easiest to work with. you need very tough bits. they need to be tungsten carbide or they will just melt and be dull in like 1 minute. even with good bits you will go through a few of them most likely.

good luck and keep us update on your progress.

oh, another tip. cut your carbon chassis slightly large and then clamp to the stock chassis and use a round sanding bit in a dremel and sand around the edges. the sander takes the carbon down very quickly but stops when you hit the alum. you end up with a perfect looking carbon chassis. referring to the stock unit will help you get everything in the right place and provide a good format. but dont be afraid to try something new. i have taken parts from different kits that i like and mixed them. in fact the truggy and buggy i run are essentially losi 8ights with the AE rc8 center driveline and center diff. i prefer the AE driveline assembly over the losi one and so i maid my kits that way.

i buy all my stuff from DA-Graphite out of SanDiego. its not cheap but by far the best i have found, especially their fineweave sheets. they sell small pieces on ebay under the username graphite-girl but they arent large enough for a chassis. easiest thing to do is to email them at graphite-girl@cox.net and let them know what you need and they will give you a price. they only sell sheets in 18x24" unless you get the small ones on ebay. i found i can get 4 chassis out the 18x24" piece and then you get your moneys worth. they have worked with several RC people and are great to work with.

Matrix Concepts Inc. Carbon Fiber Chassis and Question about your Center Drive Shafts
 

Hi,
I Really like your Matrix Concepts Inc, Carbon Fiber Chassis and your entire 1/8th scale buggy.
will you please tell me what center drive shafts your using, and what outdrives are connected to your center drive shafts? Are these also from Matrix Concepts Inc? I looked at your photo album and saw some closer pictures that showed some great detail of your buggy. Thank you for the pictures. Please let me know what kind of center drive shafts you're using. Thank you. This is my first post here, so I hope I can figure out how to find your message once you've respond to me. Though, if this forum works anything like the RCtech forum, I should be ok. Thank you for having me as a member. Looking forward to learning allot here. And buying a Complete Matrix Concepts Inc, Carbon Fiber Chassis Kit. Thank you in advance.

PS. And if anyone can answer this question regarding the type of center drive shafts and outdrives being used on this Losi 8ight-E buggy pictured just bellow, I would very much apprecieate it. Thank you in advance.

The shafts or stock, the couplers are the losi HD lightened ones. Get u a pin press and change out the front pin that wears,and the shaft will last a while. There are several different pics where I was using diff couplers, some where aluminum, the most recent were fioroni flex couplers.

i agree with this 100%. i run carbon fiber chassis' on almost all of my rides and they are so much smoother and just "glide" like SP says. there really is a noticeable smoothness and agility when you go to carbon. and its not just me. everyone that tried driving it commented on how plush the ride was and how much "feel" it provided.


http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/r...s/DSC01133.jpg
http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/r...s/DSC01135.jpg
http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/r...s/DSC01129.jpg
http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/r...s/DSC01131.jpg
http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/r...s/DSC01130.jpg
http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/r...s/DSC01134.jpg
http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/r...s/DSC01141.jpg

great looking cented diff top plate james, i really need to get around to makeing one

thanks Semi Pro. its actually a top plate and diff mount for the RC8. i used it cuz its carbon but also cuz i like how the brake rods both sit over the top plate instead of one over and one under like the losi. i used a losi smart diff with RC8 outdrives and it fit perfect with the rc8 diff mount and plate. i just drilled holes in my chassis to match the mount. but you could easily cut one for your top plate on your losi. do you ever make small parts out of carbon? i know you are big into the carbon and was wondering if you have ever tried working with it, where you buy it, etc. are you integra over on rctech?

im not on rctech

i have made alot out of carbon in the past, not just for rc but also for cars, i just never seem to find the time to make the parts anymore

Robert of Matrix Concepts Inc and John of MoosRacing. Excellent Craftsmenship.
 

This is my favorite Losi Conversion. I sure hope one day Robert of Matrix Concepts Inc is able to proceed with this awesome Losi Or should I say Matrix 8e. I like how the Center diff has been moved to the center of the chassis, allowing for the center/front drive shaft to be lined up direct with the front diff. I also like the top trays, and how these help support the chassis. I know a few pro racers tried this buggy out and said it rocked. That's all I need to know. I want one. I have two Losi 8ights that just sit and collect dust ever sense I bought my Hyper 9e. But if I could Update my Losi 8, I would be interested in having a second awesome buggy. I know that Caster Racing and also the new Tamiya 1/8th scale both have the motor placement in the new location Robert has designed into this Matrix(Losi)8e setup. My Hyper 9e has the motor and center diff designed to be at the rear of the buggy, and it sure handles well. It's amazing to know that the motor and center diff can be placed at either end of a 1/8th scale buggy, and still handle well. so many design choices. I wish this Matrix 8e was one of them. That's ok, I still love my Hyper 9e. I wish someone would make some more option/hop up/ aftermarket parts for the drivetrain. I know about the SNR Graphite. But I'm looking for stronger drivetrain parts. I'll see if I can find a Hyper 9e Thread here on Monster RC. Maybe I'll meet some knowledgable Monsters there.

PS. I noticed on Monster RC's home page, Monster Mike has a page that talks about making/building custom projects for people that have always had a dream design or some ultimate design idea they may want to take into reality. And it seems that Monster Mike is the person that makes those dreams come true. That's Awesome. I hope Monster Mike and I can one day build the Ultimate 1/8th scale buggy. It would have a bulletproof Drivetrain. Be made of 100% Carbon Fiber. Maybe Robert of Matrix Concepts Inc can be a part of that project. Roberts Carbon Fiber work is outstanding. Replaceable Built into the chassis skid plates, and Replaceable Droop Screw Reciever Plates. I've never seen such detail. Excellent Work Robert. You really are a Master!

PS. I've also recently learned about MoosRacing Carbon Fiber Chassis as well. That's definitely another great Carbon Fiber Master Crafstmen working hard at making the Best Carbon Fiber Chassis Possible. John at MoosRacing uses Carbon Fiber, Kevlar, and Aluminum in Every Carbon Fiber Chassis he makes(And these CF chassis have a little more Flex than the stock chassis). Just google Search MoosRacing to learn more.

Great Work Monsters :-)

i just came across those moosracing chassis a couple of days ago for the first time too. i have heard good things about them but they arent very pretty, imo. maybe its just the pics on their site but the carbon looks really haggered and laid unevenly. i do like how he is making molded carbon parts though instead of just flat chassis'.