Hpi Saturn 20t On Vlb?

[Jbo6543]

hey guys,

I'm a newbie, and am in the middle of modifying an RTR Lunchbox. Wanting to add more power, I'm looking at the HPI Saturn 20T motor for my Lunchbox. A few questions:

Anybody ever use this motor?

Any other motor suggestions?

Are all 540 Motors interchangable? I know I have to change out my ESC to suit, but is there anything else I need to be mindful of before I purchase a new motor?

Do I need to change the pinion gear when upgrading the motor, or do I use the one that came with the lunchbox?

I know these probably sound like silly questions, but I don't have a LHS near me, so this forum is my only way to learn more about the hobby.

Another silly question: When I go directly to the "Big Motor Guys" websites, (Orion, Trinity, Peak...) and I look at motors, the sizes aren't listed as 540. Am I searching the sites incorrectly? Or are 540 cans limited in production because they're specific to the older tamiya cars?

I will most likely be buying a budget, brushed motor and try to get away with using my stock TEU-101BK ESC until I fry it. Is this a bad idea? Can I damage any other component other than the ESC by running it this way? Thanks in advance fo your help!

[Lonestar]

hey guys,

I'm a newbie, and am in the middle of modifying an RTR Lunchbox. Wanting to add more power, I'm looking at the HPI Saturn 20T motor for my Lunchbox. A few questions:

Anybody ever use this motor?

Any other motor suggestions?

Are all 540 Motors interchangable? I know I have to change out my ESC to suit, but is there anything else I need to be mindful of before I purchase a new motor?

Do I need to change the pinion gear when upgrading the motor, or do I use the one that came with the lunchbox?

I know these probably sound like silly questions, but I don't have a LHS near me, so this forum is my only way to learn more about the hobby.

Another silly question: When I go directly to the "Big Motor Guys" websites, (Orion, Trinity, Peak...) and I look at motors, the sizes aren't listed as 540. Am I searching the sites incorrectly? Or are 540 cans limited in production because they're specific to the older tamiya cars?

I will most likely be buying a budget, brushed motor and try to get away with using my stock TEU-101BK ESC until I fry it. Is this a bad idea? Can I damage any other component other than the ESC by running it this way? Thanks in advance fo your help!

Welcome to the wonderful world of souped-up VLB's!

Let me take a crack at your questions:

Anybody ever use this motor?

I don't know it myself - sounds like a closed can kind of motor?

Any other motor suggestions?

I've driven my VLB with the stock 540, it's a bit slow, a good 27T is great, and it currently has a 11x3 which is complete nonsense, as the car does a looping when you hit the throttle... I think anywhere below 17T is too much for the short wheelbase and hi CG of the VLB. I will put a good 23T back into the car as soon as this weekend I think. A decent choice is the "sport tuned" by tamiya, which might not be as fast as a "race-type" 23T, but is absolutely bombproof and dirt cheap too

Are all 540 Motors interchangable? I know I have to change out my ESC to suit, but is there anything else I need to be mindful of before I purchase a new motor?

Yes they are interchangeable - you should adjust the gearing (pinion/spur combo) when possible, but on the VLB there's only one way to mount the motor, so that's a non-issue

Do I need to change the pinion gear when upgrading the motor, or do I use the one that came with the lunchbox?

answered above

I know these probably sound like silly questions, but I don't have a LHS near me, so this forum is my only way to learn more about the hobby.

No silly questions here - we're sharing a common passion, let's help each other

Another silly question: When I go directly to the "Big Motor Guys" websites, (Orion, Trinity, Peak...) and I look at motors, the sizes aren't listed as 540. Am I searching the sites incorrectly? Or are 540 cans limited in production because they're specific to the older tamiya cars?

540 is a motor by a japanese maker called mabuchi... its dimensions pretty much set the standard. The real "standard" name is "Type 05" I believe. And your newer tamiya's still come with "540"

I will most likely be buying a budget, brushed motor and try to get away with using my stock TEU-101BK ESC until I fry it. Is this a bad idea? Can I damage any other component other than the ESC by running it this way? Thanks in advance fo your help!

No it isn't a bad idea, but your 101BK will struggle handling a "hotter" motor than a "tamiya sport tuned" - anc actually that'll be plenty of motor for the VLB, ecen though the transmission is virtually unbreakable. If you put too strong a motor with you 101BK, the speedo will overheat and then "thermal" ie automatically shutdown until it's back to acceptable temperatures... no damage, but no regular forward movement either

Hope this helps - Have fun!

Paul

[terry.sc]

The Saturn motor is about the fastest sealed can motor you can get, but there are much better motors around. You will have to replace the ESC to run it, but if you are going to replace the ESC then Tamiyas 23 turn Tuned motors such as the TZor BZ will be faster than the Saturn, even though they are a higher wind.

The 540 is a motor made by Mabuchi, every other motor made for 1/10th cars are exactly the same size with exactly the same mountings so they can all fit in every car.

Using a faster motor you usually want to fit a smaller pinion to let the motor rev more, but you don't have a choice with the Lunchbox. The fixed motor mount limits your choice of motor though, most just use the Tamiya Sport Tuned.

Running a hotter motor than the ESC is rated for will cause the Tamiya ESC to shut down when it gets hot. It won't damage any other part of the truck.