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want to build a 1/8th brushless onroad....which platform?
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 1:03 am
by proffesso
hey guys, ive been interested in building a 1/8th onroad for some time, and finally have some time to do it, so a question to the forum -
which platform would you start with? I was thnking a Mugen MRX-3/4 or Evolva M3/2005 ...namely because of spare part availibilty, the Serpent 960 looks good, but fetch quite a bit more 2nd hand over the others.
i know there is the serpent 966-e, but i could buy 3 MRX-3`s for the same price.
also, and im not sure if this has any bearing on the decision...but I dont plan to race, so no rules to adhere to in regards to motor size / cell count.
Re: want to build a 1/8th brushless onroad....which platform
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 8:56 am
by rc10johnny
What kind of chassis are you going to use ? I have 2 1/4 scales electric that Chris Fine made,but its a 18V motor. Good Luck,lets see what you'r doin. JohnnySr
Re: want to build a 1/8th brushless onroad....which platform
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 9:29 am
by proffesso
the chassis is the question
after a bit of searching, ive found secondhand serpent 960's arent too bad, and the 966E upgrade kit is $200USD, so not bad. the only problem is im not sure of the battery compartment size, as I would want to use 5S - 6S / 4000/5000mah packs
Re: want to build a 1/8th brushless onroad....which platform
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 9:49 am
by Brandon G
Do you have any interest in the Kyosho or OFNA 1/8 scales that are based on the buggy chassis?
Re: want to build a 1/8th brushless onroad....which platform
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 9:55 am
by Eau Rouge
Personally, I found Mugen 1/8th scale chassis to be really nice. I have owned Mugens and Serpents, and I preferred the Mugens more. At that level, all of the cars are top notch quality, so I don't think you could go wrong with any of them. It's all about parts availability in that case, and places like Ashford and Brooklyn carry a lot of everything.
Most of the cars I own right now are Kyosho, so if I were interested in electric 1/8th on road (and I have been for a while), and I was looking to really create something interesting, I might look to a Kyosho/Delta Evolva.
I know that Motonica also has a couple of super slick 1/8th electric chassis in their line-up, too. Those cars are über pretty but access in the US could become a bit of an issue.
Good luck, and be sure to keep us posted on the process as you develop it. I think the 1/8th electric conversions are wicked cool.
Re: want to build a 1/8th brushless onroad....which platform
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:07 am
by proffesso
nah, the buggies arent for me, there is somthing special about the road chassis. a lot of guys are doing 1/8th buggy conversions, or whacking some highpowered brushless in a revo or somthing, I want something different
attached are some examples, note the battery, gearing, and braking differences. (some are manual brakes, some are electric) the veteq i added because I love the suspension setup
it may be that I end up making a new chassis / topplate to accomodate...that carbon car in the lower pics looks fantastic, but seems quite limited for power options
one thing, i hate 1/8th racing bodies. the only one ive found that looks good is the HPI GT-One body.
Re: want to build a 1/8th brushless onroad....which platform
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:12 am
by proffesso
didnt seem to attach these pics -
love the custom chassis on this...pity I have forgotton where I found these pictures
Eau rouge - Mugen / Kyosho parts are readily available where I am (japan) Montonica is rare, and serpent...not really sure. i can find them, so probably fine to source parts.
Re: want to build a 1/8th brushless onroad....which platform
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:19 am
by Eau Rouge
Old school bodies are cool, as long as you are doing this for fun:
http://www.deltaplastik.it/index.php?p=prodotti&l=ita&cat1=6&cat2=11&cat3=16
Don't get me started on what I'd like to do with these...
http://www.historicrc.com
And oooohhhhhhhhh, Motonica....

Re: want to build a 1/8th brushless onroad....which platform
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:20 am
by Eau Rouge
Oh, if you are in Japan, I'd definitely look to Mugen or Kyosho. That's a no-brainer. You can't lose either way.
Re: want to build a 1/8th brushless onroad....which platform
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:40 am
by proffesso
ok, well the mugen might be the winner then, as an MRX-4 only goes for $150 on auction, will try to win one with a few spares
dont get me started on historic bodies...if i could find a 312PB or porsche 936 in 1/8th i'd freak....im still hunting down a tyrrell 77' P34/2 non-reissue tamiya