CRT.5 as my next basher?

[PedeBasher]

Hi guys, I am new here but I have been watching for a long time. Im no noob either.

I have a couple questions for you guys regarding CRT.5s.

My birthday is coming up and I want something to replace my Pede. It was a great truck but its days are numbered for now.

I was thinking something along the lines of a CRT.5. Its nearly the size of a Pede, 4wd and it should be cheap to convert once I get everything out of the Pede.

I am mainly a basher though. I do run on tracks now and again and my track (Leisure Hours) has occasional CRT.5 mains. I think it would be fun to race against some nitros but still have a great bashing truck.

So my question to anyone who has converted one is... Is it a good basher? I am by no means easy on my trucks. I can be if I have to but I like the "Go Big or Go Home" aspect of R/Cs.

I was also planning on running my Sidewinder 5700 and TrueRC 2s 5000mAh lipo and gear accordingly. Would that be enough? Can I pull it off without having to drop $135 on a Mamba Max ESC? I only really need like 35mph, enough to hit a ramp and go high LOL.

If not, what else do you guys think would be a good replacement? Im not too interested in another Pede or Rusty, Slash, Bandit. Id like something 1/10th scale and 4wd if possible.

And for all you guys saying that I should go 1/8th, Ive already got a 1/8th project.

Sorry for the long rant. I wanted to be precise so you guys have a feel for what I am looking for.

- Ben

[BrianG]

Well, the CRT.5 is a good basher. Pretty strong and built like an 1/8 scale vehicle. However, I would not use the 5700, it will just heat up when geared at anything over ~25 mph, especially in the heat of summer. You can still use the sidewinder ESC, but run 3s on a 3300-3500 kv motor. The Medusa 36-50-3300 works well in my CRT.5 and is much stronger and stays cooler despite being the same physical size externally. And running 3s on a lower kv motor is more efficient than any 2s setup, and the SW will handle it fine.

Some will say to get Mike's extended kit. It makes it closer to 1/10 scale, but don't know if that's in your budget. If you do go this route, I would get the 36-60-3100 and still run it on 3s.

[PedeBasher]

Huh. 3s might be a problem. Could I pull off 2s with a lower KV motor? I spose I could get a 3s lipo but I have a couple 2s lipos and it would be easier for me to run those.

Well, now that I think about it, Easter and my birthday are like 13-14 days away. Maybe I could work on getting a 3s lipo.

Its great that they are tough though. Thats exactly what I'm looking for. I know CRT.5s can handle pretty well too.

Do you know of any cheap lower KV motors what would work well? Maybe an Ammo? Ammos from what I hear are pretty decent and are good performers for the price.

Thanks for your help.

[magman]

Originally Posted by PedeBasher

Huh. 3s might be a problem. Could I pull off 2s with a lower KV motor? I spose I could get a 3s lipo but I have a couple 2s lipos and it would be easier for me to run those.

Well, now that I think about it, Easter and my birthday are like 13-14 days away. Maybe I could work on getting a 3s lipo.

Its great that they are tough though. Thats exactly what I'm looking for. I know CRT.5s can handle pretty well too.

Do you know of any cheap lower KV motors what would work well? Maybe an Ammo? Ammos from what I hear are pretty decent and are good performers for the price.

Thanks for your help.

You get what you pay for w/motors, so....if you have to , my suggestion would be to save for a GOOD motor....(as Brian stated above, a 3300kv 50 series Medusa on 2s is a good choice..) so you don't have to buy another one after your inexpensive one blows up in short order. I have 2 crt.5 and love them...one is my daughter's which is in my sig...the other I am redoing and it will have a super stretch chassis... and I am running that one on 3s w/a 1509 Neu motor.

Mike's extended chassis kit is well worth it IMO...Best of luck w/your choices!

Also, welcome the the forums!

[PedeBasher]

Thanks! I think I will like it here!

I think I might be selling my E-Maxx soon so a nice Medusa might not be out of the question.

As for the chassis, well time will tell. I wont be suprised at all if I end up with one but for now a CRT is just a dream.

I really hope I can pick one up. As long as this economy doesnt get worse or something bad happens, one is in my future.

Thanks for the help guys and keep it coming! I want to know the most I can about this bad little rig!

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by magman

...(as Brian stated above, a 3300kv 50 series Medusa on 2s is a good choice..)...

Actually, I would run 3s. 2s will require a decent amount of current to get the speed you want. And not only is high current less efficient, the sidewinder might heat up a bit. My full MM ESC heated up quite a bit running the 4600 on 2s, and that was geared 46/12. Needless to say top speed was crappy. I can't imagine the Sidewinder will fare any better heat-wise on 2s. And using normal 2.2" tires is effectively like gearing up a tooth or two, so that just makes things worse.

Yeah, you can gear up the 3300 to compensate, but the required current of a low kv motor geared high will be just as high as a higher kv motor geared down to get the same speed. So you don't really gain anything. 2s can work, but I would definitely go 3s. Believe me, I didn't relish the idea of buying new 3s lipos either, but I'm glad I did. Now, my setup is not nearly as finniky with gearing.

I think you'll be happier overall with 3s. And any comparable 4wd vehicle will benefit from 3s, so this doesn't apply just to the CRT.5.

[PedeBasher]

I will find a 3s somewhere. Maybe a Zippy. Cheap but amazing.

Thanks for your help Brian! Any other info anyone has would greatly be appreciated!

[magman]

My misprint Brian....I meant to say 3s not 2s.. Thanks for the clarification!

[Arct1k]

I will have a converted CRT.5 to sell in a couple of weeks time if you are interested...

[emaxx101]

I recently bought a crt.5 and im runnin a VXL on 3s and its the most fun. I cant tell you if its a good basher or not because i havnt built a battery box strong enough to keep the battery in the truck.

[rschoi_75]

+1 on 3s & a medusa 36-50-3300. Its a fantastic combo.

If you want to stay on 2s, I have a lehner basic xl 4200 that I could sell you. I was running it in my crt.5 on 2s and regularly getting 35mph with good temps on 16/46 gearing.

I've broken a lot on mine. But I also have it geared for 70. . .

[Arct1k]

Just to conflict :) - I run 2s and gear up with the Medusa 50 3300 and it has no issues - lots of fun.

I have the enerland 25c hardcase lipos though...

I also have some ma 3s lipos or dual stack to 4s if i want to have crazy speed.

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by Arct1k

Just to conflict :) - I run 2s and gear up with the Medusa 50 3300 and it has no issues - lots of fun...

I think you just like to conflict for the sake of conflicting. Every forum has one (or two).

Seriously, it depends on the quality of the battery. A 2s setup can be done if using really good cells that can deliver the current while maintaining decent voltage. To be fair, I was using MA 5Ah 2s packs, and know that was some of my problem.