Brushless Top Force...Hopups needed?

[Corpse Thrower]

After careful consideration and the fact that I got offered one NIB cheap, I have decided not to stick a brushless in the Vanquish, but go for a Top Force instead. Should be here next week. 

Can I whack the Novak GTB set in a Top Force stock, or do I need to modify the car? Will the diffs and shafts all cope? I won't be jumping it at this stage, just a bit of fire trail work and tarmac stuff with a tyre change. Whaddya reckon?

Also, do I need to change the gearing, or will the standard gear ratio be ok? If I need to change the gears, where would I get them from?

Ta muchly!

[supergreg]

You should add a aluminium motor mount even when not jumping (it helps with heat absorption).

Gear ratio should be as low a possible. If I remember correctly 16 tooth pinion is smallest possible. Get a standard 0.6 module steel pinion from your lhs.

[bjr250]

Ball bearings will be neaded as the Top Force only comes with bronze bushes in the kit.

[Lemming]

Hi guys,

To be honest, I have hopped my Top Force up loads for the Novak SS5800 brushless setup.  See the video in my movies section to get an idea of what it goes like.  The parts you need / may want are:

Required:

Ali Motor Mount

Full bearing (as mentioned)

Recommended:

Carbon Drive Shaft - Even the hardened steel one flexed badly with this motor!

Alloy gear seat - 2 gears for the rear gearbox

Extra bearing for the steering setup

Optional:

Decent dampers - I run Hi-Caps

Torque Splitter - so much more fun!

UJ's all round - the kit only comes with front ones

Carbon Chassis - top and bottom plates from fibre lyte

Rear carbon shock mount - stronger basically!

Front alloy shock mount - got this on my basher as if you flip the car it will sand the FRP one very quickly!

Also, I run a 20t pinion which gives precisely the gear ration recommended with the ss5800 in a buggy.  It does about 40mph flat out.

I have done more stuff to them (I run 2 x brushless TF with novak SS580 now) but it is more cosmetic after that.

Cheers

Steve

[Corpse Thrower]

Thanks Guys for the ree-plies!!

Lemming with your gears.....did they strip so you had to replace them?

Bearings are coming, alloy motor mount and the gears and carbon shaft look like they might have to be hunted down....any idea where to start looking?

Would I be OK with the standard (lowest) ratio, just a smaller pinion then?

Might order the Novak 4.5 tonight....looks like the best price is about $350 AUD shipped to me. Still, thats better than $550....which is what they cost at the LHS.....

Thanks again fellas for your help.

[Corpse Thrower]

Not bad.....

Anybody dealt with these guys?

 

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NOVAK-GTB-BRUSHLESS...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[vtecboost]

Lemming

what run time are you getting with your brushless?

[Lemming]

Hi all,

Been off looking at prams!  Please bear in mind that these are my experiences with Top Force's and Novaks SS5800's, but other people may have different advice to offer!

Regarding alloy motor mounts, look for the GPM version (TA2002 or TA2002M) which should be available from Japan / HK for about $20 - $30 dollars.  The original Tamiya ones fetch a really steep price.

On the brushless set-ups...  Consider getting a cheaper, slower, torque version (like the SS5800).  This motor turns at 41,500rpm which is PLENTY fast enough, plus the torque is sufficient for my Carbon Jugg (again see the video section in my showroom) to wheelie easily!

The faster brushless set-ups have less torque and have to be geared a lot lower.  The Novaks basically needed a 20t rather than the stock 21t (which also works fine) so no messing required at all.

I didn't strip any gears, but the alloy ones just seemed a safe bet.  All that torque running through the poor gearbox.  Same thing goes for the prop.  I have used the Carbon one in both as even the hardened one was looking too much like a skipping rope to me (bowing under power)!

I currently get about 20mins with 3300mah nimh batteries (cheaper Vapextech ones - £45 for 3).  Depends on how you drive it really.

Hope this helps...

Steve