Nitro to Brushless Buggy/Truggy Conversion
 

Hey Guys,

Ive been outta the RC game for a while, but recently a good buddy of mine got a few RC's and has been nagging me to come out and bash with him. After checking out his setup, I decided that I really like electric (I have a Nitro Tmaxx and a nitro XTM buggy). It requires much less messing around with tuning and doesnt piss the neighbors off with the noise. I would kind of like an electric set up that I can run when I dont want to mess with tuning the finicky Nitro

I still like my nitro RC (so I dont want to get rid of them both) but would like to add an electric beast to the collection. Now I am trying to figure out which avenue to take. I have been traveling for the past four months and the bank account is a bit low, so im trying to do it on the cheap (atleast as cheap as possible).

I really love my Nitro XTM buggy. Has a good stance, I can jump it in the dirt as well as take it on the street. I was thinking about converting it to electric. I have been following the recent threads where members are converting there Nitro 1/8 buggy to brushless electric, but I couldnt quite follow the entire process. I would prolly need your guys' expertise with the conversion, since Im not quite sure exactly what I would need. (In addition I also thought about buying an e revo roller and building up a brushless lipo rig, but seems like e revo rollers are more money than I want to drop right now).

I would eventually like to convert it to a Truggy, but will probably keep it as a buggy until I get all the kinks worked out of the system.

A very helpful person on another forum was assisting me to figure out what I need for the conversion. This is what we have worked out so far:

-The MMM combo with the 2200kv motor
-Battery Tray
-13t 5mm bore mod1 pinion
-Fine Design engine mount to bolt up to the XTM (im currently inquiring via email about it cause it isnt advertised on the webpage but I believe they sell one)
- I have yet to decide on the lipo/charger/balancer setup



Anyhoo, just wanted to get some more expert opinions since I am new to the whole electric scene before I order the MMM (was thinking about doing it tomorrow). Are there any major things that I am overlooking, or things that I need to buy? Is this conversion an allright Idea (keeping in mind im trying to keep costs low by using the roller I allready have).

I would appreciate your input! Thanks!

Welcome to RC-Monster!

First off, do you have the original X-Terminator or the XT2?

You can't decide gearing until you know what battery you will be using.

I'm not so sure any of the FD mounts will be able to properly hold the CC MMM motors. Around here the much-preferred method of holding the motor is by using a motor mount that replaces one of the center bulkheads, and supports the center diff. This setup is much more secure and a lot less prone to any issues related to chassis flex between the pinion and spur.

XTM XLB 1:7 Buggy?

http://www.rc-monster.com/forum/show...&highlight=xlb
http://www.rc-monster.com/forum/show...&highlight=xlb

Thanks very much.

As for the buggy, it is the original 1/8th scale XTM X-Terminator (It was a RTR kit but now its pretty much a frankenbuggy).

Are there any other mounts that will be able to hold that motor in place or is it going to be a problem? As for the FD mount, it was the product that was recommended to me by a user on another board, but if you think there is a better product I am open to suggestions. Hopefully there is another product that will work with the X-terminator

I was planning on getting the ball rolling today and ordering the motor, but ill wait until I hear back from you guys about the mount.

I look forward to what you have to say. Thanks for the help!

Cheers!

Nope :-) Its the 1/8 X-Terminator. Thanks for the links though. Im getting some good ideas from those builds! Cheers!

I was looking into the FD mounts and they apparently have mounts that replace the Rear center diff bulkhead of the buggy. They arent listed on the webpage, but I have an email into them. Hopefully they have what im looking for, cause it sounds like exactly what I need.

Im still open to other ideas if anyone knows of a good mount.

Probably 99% of the members here would recommend getting a mount made by RC-Monster Mike. I'm quite sure he has the plans to have one cut out, he just doesn't sell enough X-Terminator mounts to list them in the store.

Besides, many here have had less than decent service from FD.

Thanks for the info. I hadnt heard about the marginal service from FD, but thats good to know. Im going to send Rc-Monster Mike a PM right now and see if he can make me a mount for the XTM and what his pricing is looking like. Thanks again for the help, I appreciate it!

By the way, I just ordered my MMM setup! I allready got an email from UPS saying itll be here on the 23rd. Gotta love that!

Quick note - don't think that I am just promoting Mike's products because he owns these forums (although in reality it is a valid reason). Quite frankly his mounts are nearly the best if they aren't the top, in terms of flexibility, cost, looks, low weight, and function. He's been doing this for a while and really knows what he's doing.

hey you never really decided on a battery
with a 2200kv you will probably wanna run a 5s and maybe a 6s if mad speeed is wanted
What kinda speeds are you looking for?

as for battery brands...whats your budget? lol
Recommended Brands:
Thunder Power
Flight power
NEU
Zippy

...stay away from maxcraps

I understand. Just by looking around the forums I was able to see multiple examples of people using Mike's motor mounts in there conversions. Ive seen nothing but positive feedback so far! Thats why I asked for input. Im always open to new or better avenues to take. Now im just awaiting what RC-Monster Mike has to say about the mount!

Cheers!

Thats a good question - I havent even touched on batteries yet! As I said, im new to the whole electric thing (let alone the world of brushless lipo) and am just tryin to take it one step at a time. I guess I should decide on that soon so I can figure out my gearing etc.

I am looking for decent speed, but i dont need anything that is too insane. Ive seen some vids of people's builds flipping on there lids constantly - that is a bit overkill for my application. I would like a setup that will run consistantly with the motor and ESC, but be punchy enough to tear up some dirt tracks and jumps.

Any suggestions for a good but not too over the top/ expensive battery that will mesh well with the MMM combo with the 2200kv motor?

Edit: Just submitted and saw the edits you made to your post! I am guessing that the prices will vary greatly, and I really need to check out my options. Im not even sure what would be considered a middle to upper-middle class battery for this setup. Time to go check out those companies you listed! And of course, any other suggestions or expertise with batteries is always appreciated!

Thanks again!

Im not too sure on battery voltage selection as im not sure what your vehicles gearing is...but i do have an opinion
4s- Drivable, probably see mid 40s and good temps. People call it the "sweet spot"

5s - I think still drivable but you are gonna start stressing the drive line. Probably see 50's. Temps will be pushed but should be ok

6s - IS INSANE. would be a bit much. youll see 60's but you wont be able to do anything but go in a straight line. Start breaking weak parts, flip over all
the time. You need to watch temps

-----------------------------
As for battery Brands
Thunder power and flight power are considered top. They have been around a long time and are used by alot of the plane and heli guys (they been doing lipo for a long time)

Neu IMHO is the middle class battery. Wont break the bank but i see them as quality packs

Zippys are the cheapest batteries out there that i would trust. Little to no bad reviews on them.

Maxamps - over priced, over rated cells. And yes i do own a set of maxamps and they are starting to fail. Cant get 15 minutes out a 6000MAH battery. :no:

--------------------------------------------
Charger

If your doing a 4s, get one 4s pack. One pack is better than 2 IMHO
same for 6s

I recommend the hyperion chargers. They are expensive but have built in balancers and I LOVE MINE

Check Out monster mikes page. Hes got the 3 popular hyperion chargers.
http://www.rc-monster.com/chargers.php
http://www.rc-monster.com/chargers.php

Very cool. Thanks for the help. Im looking into some options that you mentioned now! Trying to figure out what ill go with. Im def. going for either a 4 or 5 cell setup, cause im not trying to get too crazy here!

Thought Id post a few pics of the buggy before the conversion. Got her all nice and stripped down and cleaned today!

The Nitro Setup (A bit neglected when I took the pics - I know):
<a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/cobra198/?action=view&current=RCBuggyProjectPics12-08004.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/cobra198/RCBuggyProjectPics12-08004.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/cobra198/?action=view&current=RCBuggyProjectPics12-08005.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/cobra198/RCBuggyProjectPics12-08005.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Stripped down:
<a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/cobra198/?action=view&current=RCBuggyProjectPics12-08010.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/cobra198/RCBuggyProjectPics12-08010.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/cobra198/?action=view&current=RCBuggyProjectPics12-08011.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/cobra198/RCBuggyProjectPics12-08011.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

And nice and clean, all read for the new parts!
<a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/cobra198/?action=view&current=RCBuggyProjectPics12-08012.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/cobra198/RCBuggyProjectPics12-08012.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/cobra198/?action=view&current=RCBuggyProjectPics12-08015.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/cobra198/RCBuggyProjectPics12-08015.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Not too bad for a relatively quick clean job. Still just waiting on word from RC-Monster Mike about the mount. Once I get the motor, ill be able to start mocking up the configuration.