My T/E-Maxx setup

[digitalsolo]

Hey guys,

I've been lurking here for a bit, but just started posting recently. First off, thanks for all the great information. There are some very gifted people around here, for sure. Thanks to RC-Monster for their great products and having this site, also.

Beyond that, I suppose I should get into my current Maxx project. ;)

I started with a stock E-Maxx, circa 3-4 years ago, or somewhere thereabouts, soon after they were released. Ran it that way until a couple months ago, when I decided I'd had enough of the lack of speed and getting my butt handed to me by a friends big block savage. :)

So, I started the swap to a brushless setup. After doing some research I decided to go with a Mamba Max w/ a Feigao 9L using spurs and a can brace from RC-Monster. Put the setup together and was immediately impressed with the speed, although it appeared to be lacking the "punch" I expected.

After 6-8 packs through it, I cooked the cheap 3800 packs I was running (12 Cell generics). They won't hold full power for more then a 30-45 seconds, are are now demoted to the painful duty of running my 20 volt drag car, which only needs 10-15 second bursts. :)

As Lipo seems to be the way to go, I picked up a couple sets of batteries, 2x 4400 2s1p 20C packs from a cheap Ebay store to try, and a set of near new 5000mAh 2s2p 30C packs that are (I think) Thunder Power? I'm currently swapping them both to cellpro balance taps so that I can interface them with the CellPro 4s charger I just picked up as well. I also added a UBEC and deleted the BEC on the MM.

I have run about 4-5 minutes on the TP packs, and am absolutely astounded by the power output. So astounded in fact, I got about 45 seconds of run time before I mutilated the front skidplate on the Maxx. :005: Another 3-4 minutes in, and the TQ3 freaked out and pegged the throttle, and the car came to rest underneath a steel construction hopper, shattering both front bulkheads, front bumper, bumper supports and bending both hinge pins. :eek:

Soooo, on to Maxx 2.0. ;)

New mods (installed or on the way) are:

3.3 Arms
Revo knuckles
Revo axles
single speed locked transmission (stock case, just locked in high gear)
single motor plate (home made)
ACNCM skid/bumper combo
Lunsford Ti hinge pins
3.3 bulkheads
T-Maxx Chassis, modified for E-maxx tranny (slight modifications at that) w/ modified gorillamaxx straps for battery hold downs.
JR High Torque Metal Gear Servo
Proline Steering Upgrade

I also picked up a Spektrum DX2.0 for radio duty, since the TQ3 doesn't seem to like brushless, and I happen to like driving the truck for more then 3-4 minutes between repairs. ;)

I'll have some pictures once I get some notable progress on the (re) build. I'm currently still waiting on a few parts in the mail.

So, to the pros here, thoughts?

[ClodMaxx]

sounds like you made some nice mod choices. you'll love the spektrum... i jumped from the tq3 to a dx3.0 and there is a world of difference. primarily, no more interference. :027:

are the skid/bumper combo aluminum or ti? you may run into problems (literally and figuratively) as aluminum bends with little give; ti has some spring to it. i shred bumpers enough that i stick to plastic w/plastic supports.

def. post pics - i'm curious to see your home made motor plate...

[sleebus.jones]

Looks like a good list. When you get tired of breaking bulkheads, pick up some Great Assembly 7075 T-6 bulkheads/braces. :)

Sleeb

[Procharged5.0]

Originally Posted by sleebus.jones

Looks like a good list. When you get tired of breaking bulkheads, pick up some Great Assembly 7075 T-6 bulkheads/braces. :)

Sleeb

I'll second that!

[GorillaMaxx360]

or some flm ones, but the Great Assembly definatly look cooler, and have beefy bulkhead braces. Nice list you have got there though i would have to recommend ti skidplates or short gmaxx skidplates and a really tought big bumper like the rpm one, also alumiunm bumpers are a bad idea, they will send shock to the rest of the vehicle. I recommend plastic ones like rpm but the bumper can be aluminum as long as the bumper mounts are plastic. Other than that it looks good.

[digitalsolo]

Hmmm, point taken on the aluminum. The bumper/supports/skids are aluminum, and bolt together as a unit (for added strength according the mfr). If I have trouble I may just fab a titanium skid myself and go to the RPM bumpers/support. I'm pretty familiar with aluminum between my old RC10/RC10DS/RC10-T, etc, as well as a lot of fabrication work on LS1 RX7 conversions. I may do some playing with reinforcement into the chassis as well.

Those bulkheads look really nice (Great Assembly), but aren't there problems with chassis and other damages if the bulkhead doesn't "give" ? I like the plastic ones as they're cheap (5 bucks on ebay, to my door) and it seems like an easy, cheap to replace failure point in case myself or my radio decides to get stupid.

I really don't typically damage much beyond a skid now and then, though the brushless certainly will have a steep curve. ;) My major damage on the last run occured at the will of my TQ3. FWIW, just playing with this Spektrum and it's accompanying high torque servo, I can see/feel the difference in quality.

I also got a chance to play with my FMA Cellpro 4S 4AMP, as it came in the mail today. VERY cool piece of equipment. I'm a PC systems engineer, so anything that I can jack into my laptop and see readouts on, I like. Hence the MambaMax ESC. :D

My motor mount isn't that impressive, it's just a modified TRX mount, cut down for the single motor. I am in process of fabbing a rear brace for the motor (big motor + small plate = pain). I need my final chassis before I complete it, so that I can slot everything appropriately for gearing changes. :)

[Procharged5.0]

Welcome to the forums!

From YEARS of experience with the maxx I highly, highly recommend the following:

Great Assembly bulkheads (7075 preferred), UE Knucklehead or Fastlane Machine shock towers, (aluminum diff cases if your budget allows) and be sure to use stock (flexible) bumper mounts & bumpers plus stock body mount posts. Thats where you want the flex!

BTW, Fastlane machine also makes nice bulks in standard and integrated forms (bulk/diff case combo)

If money is no object visit the Unlimited Engineering site and buy the VBS system. It's the best of the best, machined magnificently, and priced to match.

[Procharged5.0]

Also,

Tell me ore about your LS1 - RX7 conversions....that sound cool! I helped out on a "Monster Miata" once. Wicked fast. Supercharged 331" small block Ford. Unbelieveable.

[digitalsolo]

Perhaps not totally on topic, but it's my thread, so what the heck. ;)







Currently a 5.3L LSx (370" LSx with L92 heads being put together). Heads/cam/ported manifolds/ported throttlebody/intake/2.5" catback/direct port/standalone fuel system/3800 stall/shift kit. Low 12/high 11 second car N/A, high 10 second car on spray. It's fun for a go-kart. ;)

I'll have some good pictures of the T/E project soon. Still waiting on the final chassis and my new bulkheads to get the assembly completed. :)

[GorillaMaxx360]

nice ride

[silentbob343]

Very nice RX-7, I pop into the miata.net forums every once and awhile and they have a section for monster miatas that is always fun to read through. A couple LSx swaps in to miatas over there.

I'm sure you enjoy the LS over blown apex seals.

[digitalsolo]

Originally Posted by silentbob343

Very nice RX-7, I pop into the miata.net forums every once and awhile and they have a section for monster miatas that is always fun to read through. A couple LSx swaps in to miatas over there.

I'm sure you enjoy the LS over blown apex seals.

Thanks guys, it is a great ride.

Actually planning an electric conversion in one with some friends. Brushless of course. ;)

[zeropointbug]

digitalsolo: You do electric conversions? full scale cars?

If so, check my sig! :018: ME TOO!

[digitalsolo]

Originally Posted by zeropointbug

digitalsolo: You do electric conversions? full scale cars?

If so, check my sig! :018: ME TOO!

We're working on one, still in the planning stages currently. Parallel path based hub motors, ultra-efficient, near unity stuff. It's pretty snazzy. :) I fear my friends are more in depth in regard to electronics knowledge, I spent a few years in Purdue's EE program, but am mostly the "car guy" in the group who can design and fabricate the vehicular part of the designs. :)

Do you have a link to any info on that car in your sig? Sounds pretty neat.

[Procharged5.0]

digital solo,

Nice RX7! Can't believe the LSx fits in so neatly! Great conversion!