Recommended setup for Stampede/Rustler?

Can anyone recommend a setup for a Rustler? I may also use it in a Stampede. After reading about the Novak SS5800 I'm not wanting to limit myself with it - 7 cells properly geared will only go 35ish - according to most people I've seen post. I would like the rusty to hit 40 to 45. I've got 6, 7 & 8 cell gp packs. Normally I will run 7 or 8 cells (6 cells are for my kids). I'm not against going higher - I've built a 4 cell pack to try 10 with my super rooster but still only hit 35 to 38 when over geared in a 12 turn double. The kicker, and possibly the reason I'll get laughed at/off the thread is that I'd like to keep the system under $300. I've seen posts about the warrior 7018 & 9918 running Feigao motors but never seen top end information. Does anyone have this info? Does anyone have experience with a similar setup?

Thanks!

Donny

I'm running a Feigao 8s and Warrior 7018 in my Stampede. I have added the Fastlane Machine aluminum shock towers, New Era Brace in the front, Swami Wheelie Bar/brace in the rear, plus a 5 cell receiver pack which is mounted on the front of the shock tower. Don't know how much it weighs but it's definitely heavier than stock; the first time I took it out for a test run I honestly wasn't sure the motor would move it with the added weight of the main batteries for the motor. I sure was wrong about that. I'm still trying different gearing but so far my highest speed as indicated on the Venom Speedmeter was 36 MPH on a 6 cell GP 3300 pack with a 21/84 spur and pinion gearing, And from what mike has said I still have some room to gear it higher. I can run from 4 up to 10 cells from what mike has said but I don't see me going that high on the cell count, maybe 9 just to see what it'll do after I get a steel diff gear for it. The combo I have would run you $220 plus shipping from RC-Monster. Also note that you'll likely always want to use a receiver pack with the Warrior ESC which in this case mounting it forward helps keep the front end on the ground, I can wheelie rolling at half throttle on 6 cells any time I want.

You'll also at the very least want to put an aluminum idler in the the transmission as well but don't switch to the delrin top gear or you'll only move the weak point. I don't know anyone that uses the delrin top gear. Just use a nice heavy grease in the transmission and you'll be fine. I use the Hi-Temp wheel bearing grease in mine.

Originally posted by dbrown17
The kicker, and possibly the reason I'll get laughed at/off the thread is that I'd like to keep the system under $300.

Donny

Oh yea, no one will laugh you off the board either. There is a lot of choices for a brushless setup in that price range now, probably not many trucks out there you couldn't power for that price aside from 1/4 scale vehicles.

[RC-Monster Mike]

Yeah, 40 mph on 7 or 8 cells is pretty easy, actually. As joppa seaid, you will need to beef up the tranny. I ran the aluminum idler with some grease. It will work for quite a while. Over time the idler gear will get sharp on the back side of the teeth and start to strip the diff gears when you hit the brakes. At this point, get a new idlers and continue playing!

Thanks for the feedback guys. I apologize for the timing in thanking you but I had a busy spurt there for a while. That is just the type of information that I was looking for. I do run an aluminum idler now so that shouldn't be an issue. Beyond that the rustler is mostly stock. I run about 28mph now on 8 cells but I keep burning up my 14t SG Pro geared 12/87. From the posts it sounds like the bl system can be geared considerably higher. Any idea what appropriate street gearing would/could be? I'll probably order in a couple of weeks. If the 7018 still is out of stock is there any problem going with the 9918? Are there any huge benefits? Also, if I'm heading for a $200 controller should I consider the MGMs? Are they better?

[Batfish]

In my own experience between the BK Warrior 9918 and the MGM Compro 12012 I would choose the 12012 for the following reasons.
- the 12012 is much smoother on take-off (literally NO cogging for me) while the 9918 does have cogging, even if it is minimal
- the 12012 appears to have more programming options and is friendlier to lipo batteries

If you are going to run more than 12 cells, you will of course need to consider a higher cell-count controller than the 12012.

My opinion is not the be-all-end-all by any stretch, but it comes directly from my own experience.

For the same money, and not having a need for more than 12 cells, I would choose the MGM.

Thanks Batfish - I never figured running more than 10 cells so the 12012 would work. I'll probably break my 7 & 8 cell packs down to 6 to slow the kids down and that'll give me the opportunity for 12 instead of 10. Do I need to be concerned about what motor to put on? Is the cell count only effect the speed controller?

Thanks again!