[aotsukisho]

My dream of a 1:12 scratchbuilt CS type drifter has been scrapped, mainly due to the fact that I think it will handle like ass lol. However, because of that concept (and the RC18-2) I have acquired a lot of parts for the 1:16 Traxxas platform, and I think I can seriously scratchbuild a mini E-Revo to complement my big one.

Parts have:
transmission
slipper assembly
several sliding shafts (center, Slash VXL outboard)
center differential
extra yokes

This will be no ordinary E-Revo though, as I think I have a formula on making it a beast...

Using either the Tenbol motor mount or my Tekno RC conversion one, mount a 540 sized motor in it. More specifically, the Team Orion 2.5t one that's been sitting unused for awhile. Twin 2s packs should allow enough current flow and capacity to handle it.

According to the Team Orion brushless setup sheet, the 2.5t motor requires a 14.0 reduction for a AWD buggy (what the MERV is most similar to). That's an 18t pinion with the stock 50t spur, or a 19t pinion on the 55t optional spur. I will probably have to get creative with mounting, or scratchbuild an idler gear somehow.

...or...

I find an outrunner that can mount up to the stock motor mount, and make it rip on 6s with the Mamba Max Pro.

I need money...

[aotsukisho]

In response to this thread: http://www.rc-monste...ead.php?t=23804 and mistercrash's redesign here: http://www.rc-monste...9128#post399128

looks like it might benefit from having the motor mount side 'surround' the slipper nut area, so it's not just a leg going over the top...or perhaps the leg should go underneath the slipper nut, for lowest CoG.

also speaking of CoG, if you're making a full custom setup, doesn't it make more sense to have a 1:10 touring style (horizontal sliding) mesh adjustment? Unless the motor mount pivot is at the bottom center of the range, using larger gears means you raise the CoG. It was a useful feature in fitting the 1717 in the E-Revo, but I'm sure a custom chassis can accommodate a larger motor without it. (:

ps. this project is actually starting to look like it can be done, since Traxxas now has an OEM 36mm motor mount due to the new Stampede and Rally brushed cars using a 550 titan. woot! Part number TRX7260, not really available anywhere yet.

[aotsukisho]

Okay, this project may be revived again. I just found out something amazing:


the transmission/diff output shaft is 4mm, which just so happens to be the ID of most 1:10 touring center pulleys. Who's up for a custom chassis belt driven TRX 1:16?

concepts up when I have time/money...but it's definitely doable. I have two spare TC5R diffs, and the four and a half spare Sprint 2 diffs...and some TT-01 spare parts.

[aotsukisho]

toyed around with more ideas last night.


the bags of diffs I have to work with


interesting things done with the TRX 1:16 transmission.


this is the stock gear ratios


however, strangely, the input gear and idler input can be swapped


like so


provides an increase of reduction from 5.041 to 9.721. This could be useful when using a high Kv motor in this project


another amazing thing I found...this is the set screw from the Cyclone TC pulley


and this is the screw pin from the TRX 1:16 series yokes. Another direct replacement.


toying around with the belt setup, this could be done for the rear


I could possibly use a single-belt design with a long (1:10 front) belt.


closeup of the motor mesh with the single belt layout

[aotsukisho]

More modifications done to the Traxxas 1:16 parts I have. I noticed that the input shaft of the transmission had some linear play in it, which resulted in the slipper assembly rubbing on the transmission case if it was pushed in all the way.


using a teflon washer from the other Traxxas stuff I have


used as a shim 'inside' the input gear


gears reinstalled


gears line up properly


this is the farthest it goes down now. no rubbing!

[aotsukisho]

well, this project has turned from a concept into a rather normal 1:16 E-Revo VXL. I bought all the parts recently...or so I thought. I forgot to order the steering bellcrank and for some reason the rocker post screws are missing, so those are on the way now along with a couple upgrades for the Beast. I'm thinking of putting the Epic 10x2/LRP IPC v7.1 combo in it, as the Summit/Rally 550 mount is in the mail as well, along with two 1700mAh 2s 20/30c lipos from Turnigy.

Anyway, I took a couple pictures from the process from the mail to an almost complete E-Revo VXL.


packaged up


all the parts, along with some Revo platform suspension arms I found for cheap.


a couple hours later and the truck is almost done.

Abe from RC Heaven said he could get me a JConcepts Illuzion body for $20, so that will be here around next Wednesday hopefully.

[aotsukisho]

the rest of the parts are currently in the mail...the bearings for the steering and rockers came in yesterday.

[aotsukisho]

the steering post came in yesterday. All I'm waiting on now is the rocker posts (and some other upgrades) will be in tomorrow. I can't wait!

[aotsukisho]

Finally got around to finishing up (ghetto rigging) the VXL.


the rest of the parts came in


the large 500 motor mount compared to the standard one


normal one is flush with the transmission plate


kaboom!


goddamn Traxxas didn't make the screw holes compatible so I have to buy the larger transmission plate too. lol


bearings in the steering ftw. not sure if it's just mine or that's how the tolerances go, but the steering post was very tight in the bearings.


fitting in the servo, can't do it...


needed to take off the bottom


then it goes through.


ready to go! for now.

[aotsukisho]

VXL in my trunk. I got to drive it around a bit, but it's hopelessly soft and rolls 20° or so when it turns. quite funny to look at, but quite terrible to drive precisely. The Talon tires are great, though.


Jconcepts Illuzion body. I picked up some bright red paint for it, and am gonna try a red with black highlights paint scheme. Dunno what the design will be yet.


I also picked up another ESC for this project. The Sidewinder will probably not be able to handle the Orion Vortex motor without thermaling, so a classic Mamba Max will do. I nabbed it for $30 on RCTech.

Had some order issues for the rest of the parts (P2 rockers, rocker post screws, stiffer springs all around) but that got shipped out today. Hopefully by the end of next week we shall see the VXL ready to go!

[aotsukisho]

E-Revo VXL's lipos came in


packed with the standard Hobby King bubble wrap


two 1700mAh 2s batteries, will run as 3200mAh 2s in the truck


comes with new stickers stating the watt-hour capacity (most likely for traveling hobbyists)


also got a parts load in for the VXL, here's the stiffest springs available for it


Boca bearings going into the P2 rockers


new rockers and springs in, and the stance is higher.


the 500 motor mounting plate up top, it's thicker.


demonstrating the holes lining up (or not)


the Orion motor is back in action


gonna test fit the batteries


they fit, but due to their 14AWG wires they were getting pinched by the battery door cover.


modifying the receiver tray so the ESC can fit


looks good, but no matter what I do it will interfere with the motor like this.


while I was thinking of the ESC mounting, I got a little carried away and did the motor mount post mod from the fullsize E-Revo.


I can hold up the entire chassis by the motor mount now.


it takes a very specific procedure to put the motor in properly now.


scratching off one of the ESC mounts in order to mount my own


the Mamba Max fits, and it also has its USB port facing outwards for easy access.


getting ready to solder the motor connections, this is the front view so far


ESC wires soldered to the motor.


previous owner had soldered the switch contacts in backwards inside the housing, so the switch wouldn't fully seat.


easy fix


they broke off the third contact though, so the housing can't be clamped down


getting creative with battery connector soldering


fill it up with solder!


done on both sides


ESC wires soldered on


now to shorten the battery wires a bit, since the rear of the truck is already quite cluttered


shortened batteries


this is the best insulation solution I could come up with.


all plugged in and ready to go


servo/ESC cables ziptied to be neat(er)


results of first test run...gotta tone down brake strength a bit.


now on to painting the body.


did a sort of racing stripe down the center with every color I had left (Burgundy/Supra, Pink/RX-7, Champagne/Chaser, Blue/RC-18, Black/ERBE)


Burgundy was empty/clogged, and did a cool splatter looking effect


didn't get a tight line in some places (hood), but overall I think it came out okay


main body color is flourescent red, backed with the rest of the champagne.


cutting out using the Xacto-scoring method.


body post and antenna holes drilled


looks great! next time the plastic will come off and decals/LEDs will go on.

[aotsukisho]

Started to finish up the VXL body, but was interrupted. Hopefully I can finish it next weekend with LEDs.


decals don't come pre-cut on the Illuzion.


peeling off the overspray mask. The color is astonishingly bright.


decals mounted (rather crookedly, I might add)


looking at the front. I will refrain from taking photos of this body that expose both headlights at the same time XD


GSR decal on the back, along with a Mamba one for old times' sake


body has to be at the highest setting thanks to the huge motor...


that's hot