Mikedealer's Hotshot II Build

[mikedealer]

well had this kit for a while. it started as a Hotshot Re-re Kit. But i had a hotshot II runner (beat to hell). So i salvaged the body and Bottom Battery Plate from it (different than that crappy fiberglass thing with bodyclips..

Restored the Body (nitro fuel & lexan polish and new stickers from ebay from the UK), i love the hotshot II body ALOT more than the original, much sleeker. was watching one on ebay selling from the toybaron that ended at $100+ so i decided to restore this one lol

Also added a RCchannel Suspension Kit and shocks.. Very Nice and high quality kit. Added front aluminum steering blocks from ebay (they are ta01 steering, same part, from ebay for like $20, cheaper than thorp lol). Added HPI 5 Star chrome front and rear wheels with losi rubber, and used ultima RB5 Clamp Hex Hubs to adapt the wheels, fit perfectly

also made front rollbar supports from graphite, the stock ones always broke easy.

also added a steering bellcrank here...
http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=10572

also added universal axles
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200215598694&viewitem=&salenotsupported

going to try and make it to the vonats this year and run this, just got a 40C lipo and my brushless is coming soon.

[m2fit4u2]

That is the most trick Hotshot I think I have ever seen . Wish you luck at the Vintage Nationals !

[SMOKE-DOG]

Man that looks good. Nice work.

[Brat]

I really like it, Mike!!!

[mikedealer]

thanks for great comments guy..

trying to fit my electronics in, still waiting for my esc/motor combo from ebay, bought this one for $105, figure i couldnt go wrong at that price
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120406721323&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT&salenotsupported

[mikedealer]

Looking for a little help here now..

install my electronics (motor and esc, brushless 17.5)
Installed the 15t pinion with the kit.
Also using a 5200 CMAX 40c lipo

Problem is the car seems a little slow.. i know its a 17.5, but the wheels dont really seem to even get that "raise effect" if i lift the car and spin the wheels, they only move up a little. If i lock one of the wheels, or the front and back wheel at the same time, the tires definetly get some liftoff, but while running all fours, it seems slow. I changed the programming on the ESC, which helped a little, i changed the EPA for throttle on my controller to 140 i think, but the car is still a little slow for a 17.5 i think... i could be crazy... i dont remember what hotshots ran like back in the day to be honest but they seemed faster to me when i ran a 27t stock even.

i am going to try and 17t pinion tommorow possibly, i know that should help a little..

anyone have any suggestions or a baseline as to how the car should run?

[scr8p]

i don't have any experience with brushless. but, i know gearing a 17.5 compared to a 27 turn is quite different. you might not be able to get the kinda of ratio your gonna need in that car with a 17.5. you'd probably be better of running a 27t.

[RedScampi]

Nice lookin' car Mike! It would be cool if Tamiya had seen fit to reproduce some of the red parts in black or another more subtle color.

[mikedealer]

yea it appears to be a gearing issue. i am going to throw in a 27t motor and speed controller with the largest pinion that can fit (17tooth) and see if it makes a difference.

if it does make a difference, i might try to dremel the gearbox, cut a hole in the other side to check the gear mesh and glue down a clear lexan window, and see if i can run a larger pinion. anyone ever have any running time with a stock motor and can give suggestions for gearing?

[Brandon G]

The steering bellcrank idea I will have to give a shot....

I am also real curious what gearing works for you. I've been told that the BL motor after 5-6 minutes of run time should temp 110-120F if geared right.

[mikedealer]

ya the steering, works perfectly. the electronics, suck at the moment, car runs like a dog, well a sick dog... gonna have to try and get a 27t motor in there. is a stock motor technically "faster" than a 17.5 brushless?

[vwjuice]

ya the steering, works perfectly. the electronics, suck at the moment, car runs like a dog, well a sick dog... gonna have to try and get a 27t motor in there. is a stock motor technically "faster" than a 17.5 brushless?

Oh god no. I have a 19t trinity motor in my t4 and get my butt kicked coming out of corners at the track. Everyone else runs a 17.5 and I can keep up on the staights but coimng out of corners and clearing jumps they kill me. A lot more punch than a 27t. I am allowed to run the 19t only because the 27turns just don't even come close anymore.

[scr8p]

in my opinion, the 27t compared to a 17.5 is very close. i didn't feel i was at any disadvantage running a 27t at last years v-nats in the horsepower department. my problem was the lack of off-road experience in chassis setup and driving.

[mrlexan]

my problem was the lack of off-road experience in chassis setup and driving.

Is that what you are using? Excuses, excuses....

[vwjuice]

I think the 18.5 is the closest to the 27turn. That was very close door to door action.