Thoughts, suggestions for a first time New Nue Maxx builder?

Hey Guys & Gals.

I recently purchased an E-Maxx and decided that I wanted to hop the thing up. Seeing that the last time I played with an RC car was when I was 5 I am a little lost. While you guys have answered alot of my questions just by searching through the forums I have a few more and welcome any suggestions.

Currently I am still working on putting the thing together. I ran it once and then took it all apart to hop it up. It's been in pieces for 3 weeks as every time I think I've ordered everything, I find out I am missing something.

My Current Setup:

FLM Chassis
FLM Shock Towers
FLM Hybrid Bulks
FLM Alu Tranny Case
FLM Skid Plates
Alu Front & Rear Bumper & Mounts
Robinson Racing Double Disk Slipper Kit
RBI Wheelie Bar
G1 Single Motor Mount
Neu 1515 1Y Motor
MGM 22418 brushless ESC
Two MaxAmps.com Lipo 8000HV 2S2P 7.4V Packs
Traxxas Lightweight Alu Turnbuckles
Titanium Pillow Balls
Airtronics 94361Z Rock Crusher High Torque Servo
MIP Shiny CVD Kit T-Maxx 2.5
Dual Hot Bodies Steel Differential Gear Set Lightning
Hot Bodies Front/Rear Diff Hardened Lightning
Golden Horizons Alum BB Steering Set
Bead Lock Size 40 Wheels
Integy Alloy Servo Guard Silver
Traxxas Shaft Low Idler Gear Shaft
Integy Super Duty MSR5 Shock (Yeah Don't say it lol)
MIP CVD Center Drive
MIP CVD Center Drive Kit


My Gear Assortment

Golden Horizons 7075-T6 Primary Gr Fwd 28T
Golden Horizons 7075-T6 Out Gear 26T
Golden Horizons 7075-T6 Primary Gr Rev 22T
Robinson Racing Steel Spur Gear 72T & 65T
Robinson Racing Plastic Spur Gear 66T, 72T, 76T
FDM Steel Gears 32 pitch 5mm bore pinions - 33, 28, 20, 16, 15, 14 tooth
30K & 10K Diff Oil


As you can see I went a little wild. I don't even want to think about what I have spent on this little project in the past couple of weeks.

As for questions

1) I know that the Integy MSR5 piggyback shocks are almost useless (at least that seems to the the general opinion on the forums. What high quality shocks would you recommend? I was given a set of Traxxas Big Bore shocks with the E-Maxx are those any good?

2) I am assuming that with the 7.4V lipos that I have and the Neu motor it would be best to wire them in series to give 14.8V and 4s. Is there any reason not to do this?

3) I can't seem to find the right length turnbuckles. Every set I have tried is too long. Does anyone know off the top of their head what length they are?

4) Gearing, gearing, gearing. I have poked around Brain's gear calculator and can't seem to find what everyone is talking about. I found the top speed estimator and the gear dimensions calculator but nothing else. If i don't want to overheat and over gear the motor do you have any suggestions on what gearing I should use? Can I do it with the gears I already have?

5) Is it a bad idea to use a steel spur gear if I have a plastic tranny? Shoud I upgrade the tranny gears to steel?

6) I bought a set or hardened Lightning 1/8 diff sets for the FLM hybrid bulks. Everyone's opinion on differential oil is different. What weights should I be looking at and how does that weight effect performance.

7) Looking at the MGM controller there are 6 motor wires, two sets of three wires. I am assuming each pair should be Y'd together? Also they are all yellow there are no marking of any kind on them. Now if I am correct the Neu 1515 is a sensored motor meaning that I have to get the sensor wire on the MGM connected to the sensor wire on the motor. Its my understanding that reversing the other two wires will only reverse the direction of motor spin. On the Neu there is an unmarked blue wire, a red wire marked 1s or 15, and a yellow wire marked 1y. Anyone have any clue as to which wire is which on both the MGM and the Neu, and or how to connect them?

8) I am assuming that I can use the SBEC in the MGM is there any reason not to?

9) Are the stock heat sinks enough for the MGM, what about if I have no body and only a roll cage?

10) For the FLM guys, the FLM ALu tranny case seems to bind the gaers a little, at least they don't spin as easily as in the stock case. Do I have to shim them or is it a defective part?

11) Does anyone know of a roll cage that will work with the FLM extended chassis? Is it worth ordering a Revo cage as it is bigger if I have to mod it? Does anyone here want to make some money welding tube steel lol.

12) Finally are there any suggestions that you have? And blaring weaknesses?


Thanx guys for your time. I really appreciate it. I'll be sure to post some pics later on today and again when I finish.