SH Z-Car ZMXB-8 1/8 Buggy - Perfect for conversion?

[MetalMan]

Hi Trike, welcome to RC-M!

Good choice on the Z-Car, you won't be disappointed (IMO).

First off, you'll want to decide on the battery. 4s is most common for 1/8 buggies because it just works. Also, this is often the largest size you can fit (depending on the capacity). Generally somewhere around 5000mah 20C+ works well for 4s.
If you went with 6s, you could drop down to 3200mah and it should fit depending on the height of the cells.

The rear brace on the Z-Car is a limiting factor on how small of a pinion you can use compared to the size of the motor. For example, the finned Neu 1512 in my buggy cannot use any smaller than an 18t pinion. It has a diameter of 44mm.
The Castle motors are finned only, and have a diameter of 42mm. They will probably allow no less than a 17t, but a 16t might fit.
Smooth can Neus have a diameter of 39mm and should allow a 15t pinion.

Medusa motors (preferrably 36-60) are 36mm in diameter and should allow as low as a 14t pinion. This would be my choice if I were to choose a different motor for this buggy.

So, let's talk setups here. Let's say you want to keep the buggy under 45mph for general driving (which is a good choice).
-MMM 2650 combo: On 4s you wouldn't be able to gear this motor properly as it would require a 13t pinion - so if you went this route you would have to dremel the rear brace and motor fins.
-MMM 2200 combo: This choice would have lots of torque, but also weighs more. A 17t pinion would push the buggy past 45mph on 4s (not necessarily a good thing), but a 16t pinion would be perfect (might require some slight dremeling of the rear brace).
-Neu 1512 2.5D smooth can: No fitment issues with a 17t pinion on 4s.
-Medusa 36-60-2000: No fitment issues with a 17t pinion on 4s or with a 14t pinion on 5s.
-Medusa 36-60-1600: Perfect with 6s and 15t pinion.

5s and 6s are out of the question IMO with anything other than Medusa motors. I think the Medusa 36-60-1600 and 6s Lipo would be an incredible setup.

The buggy kit includes a clear body that will require trimming. As for others that may fit, I haven't the slightest idea.