Jump to content
friskyjim

Can I put in a brushless motor in dt03 racing fighter if so which one please?

Recommended Posts

Just about to buy a racing fighter dt03, (tomorrow) before I order the basic kit with esc - can you put in a brushless motor in this?  Or not a good idea.
Was going to buy a 540 sport tuned as opposed to a 540 torque tuned motor as mainly used on road. 
........but then thought it might be an idea to go down the brushless route for extra speed?
What do you guys think?
I'm going to fit it with sealed bearings too.

If a brushless is a good idea can you also advise which motor specifically/which pinion and wether I need to buy a specific ESC,

and also - Lipo batteries - should I fit them and if so what Lipo batteries would you recommend for the Tamiya racing fighter?   and where's best to buy from
Advice very much appreciated chaps ...and many thanks. 
 

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
36 minutes ago, friskyjim said:

can you put in a brushless motor in this? 

You certainly can, the gearbox is a tough one, the only issue with going fast, is it tends to break if/when you crash 😏

38 minutes ago, friskyjim said:

If a brushless is a good idea can you also advise which motor specifically/which pinion and wether I need to buy a specific ESC,

A hardened steel pinion is a must when going with more power, and the chassis only has the 17t or 19t option, so I got both. Brushless Esc wise, I'm liking the , hobbywing 10bl120, can run down to a 4.5t motor (64,000 rpm on a 2s Lipo, in the region of 3 X faster than the sport tuned).

As for lipo's, they are brilliant, but need a bit of care, have a read before taking the plunge :- 

https://rogershobbycenter.com/lipoguide/

 

  • Like 3

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Brilliant advice Wooders thanks - still got to read up on lipos.     What brushless motor would you recommend?      cheers,  Jim

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Depending on what we are doing my sons's DT03 runs a 4000kV or a 5600kV both using the hardened 17T pinion.

I loaded up the front with some lead to try and keep the front wheels on the ground, ended up modding a Lunch Box wheelie bar to stop the thing from flipping onto it's back. Once you get some speed up, the front generates a fair bit of understeer. On an oval dirt track it is a challenge to cut good consistent laps.

I would suggest a 3300kV - 3800kV motor would probably be the best balance. Lots of power is good, but it does tend to increase the number, time and cost of repairs :) 

 

  • Like 3

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have run 3300kv (13.5 turn) and 4400kv (8.5 turn) in mine. Both have been fun, but the 4400kv was a bit nuts in my opinion. And the gearbox internals wore out quite quickly. I think something up to 4000kv (around 10.5 turn) using the 19t steel pinion would be great. I am in a big fan of the hobbywing quicrun 10bl120 as well, and if you do go Lipo then the square packs fit with no trouble. As mentioned above, plenty of weight in the front of the chassis (ebay for full size car sticky wheel weights is cheap and effective) and stiffer rear springs if you go on to tune it. 

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If the kit comes with the standard TBLE-02S ESC then why not just buy a 13.5T brushless motor and steel 19t pinion and see how it goes? If you want more power then you probably need to look at a new ESC as well, but a cheap brushless motor will cost about the same as the Sport Tuned. I've found Speed Passion and Trackstar to be good bang for buck. They aren't the fastest around but at 1/4 the price of the fast ones they are plenty good enough.

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Firstly, ball bearings will get you 10-15% extra speed. 

A strong motor is like a puppy.  I always wanted one, but my mom said it's a lot of responsibility.  Did I know what that meant?  No.  Did we get it anyway?  Yes.  Did we take good care of our first puppy?  Probably not...  

Anyway, I would get a Tamiya TBLE02S ESC, and get a 13.5t sensored motor + a 19t steel pinion (just like Jonathon said. Not because Jon, ThunderDragon and Lefty said it, but because it's sensible).  I think even the Sport Tuned is decent enough for a basher.  But a brushless will pull ahead of Sport Tuned easily. With a sensored motor, you don't have to worry about cogging.  

If you want brute power, getting a sensorless is another option.  (There are two different types of brushless motors: Sensored and sensorless. They require different types of ESCs)  A 3650 sized sensorless brushless about 3300kv would do just fine.  One good thing about a sensorless system is, waterproof motor and waterproof ESC.  Because the ESC doesn't have to consider feedback from the motor, it will give you more of a kick.  Most motors come with wires soldered.  Many cheap sensorless brushless come with 60A ESC.  Which means about 3300kv would be the upper limit, just like the sensored version.  If so, why not stick with a sensored one?  If you are not used to the chassis, you'd drive slowly.  A sensored motor will give you smoother control, whereas sensorless can be jerky at lower speed (known as cogging).  

Costs in USD. 

[1] Tamiya TBLE02S ($20: it can power a sensored motor also) or Hobbywing 1060 ($20. brushed only) + Sport Tuned $17 = $37.  

[2] Sensorless ESC and 3300KV combo set = $45.  

[3] Tamiya TBLE02S ($20) + 13.5t Trackstar Sensored ($35) = $55.

[4] Hobbywing 10LB120 ($55) + 4.5t Trackstar Sensored ($55) = $110.  (once you get an 120A ESC, you can pretty much go with any sensored motor)  

Strong torque will chew up the aluminum pinion.  Even with steel pinion, you will see wear and tear on the gears, drive cups, dong bones and tires.  Which is why many people like the 3300kv range. (similar to 13.5t.  Sensorlesses use "KV." Sensored motors use "turns")  

Below is a Trackstar 13.5t motor. (Older version. Newer one is fancier looking).  

 GppuUhb.jpg

CCqtYfB.jpg

 

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I run brushless in my DT-03, and can confirm the advice given above as sound.

I run a 13.5T sensored motor (Speed Passion MMM) and steel 19T pinion fed by a TBLE-02 ESC and 2s LiPo with stand-alone battery monitor.

It all works superbly, with plenty of runtime and performance, no reliability issues and minimal maintenance required.

Bearings are a great idea as already mentioned. I'd recommend getting ones with rubber seals if you plan on using the model off-road. 

One hop-up I haven't seen mentioned yet is the alloy gearbox bridge set. This pair of blue alloy plates do an excellent job of tying the left and right chassis and gearbox halves together, reinforcing a common point of failure. I would recommend getting a pair for your build. 

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Holy **** !    Chaps - all of you - thank you!  :D  absolutely 1st class advice!!!  comprehensible and coherent - to a reletive newbie (I've built the lunchbox before)   
I'm so chuffed - thank you -   trying not to sound to *******-kissy but that is amazing and clear advice - I was just about to buy the 540 sport tuned motor and checked back on here and now I'm buying the sensored 13T brushless - with those bridges you mentioned.      big thank you to all who have replied - 100% brilliant! 

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

this is for my 9 yr old son BTW -it's his birthday in a week -  he wants to beat his mate in a street race, who has a grasshopper with 540 sport tuned motor.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
6 hours ago, Juggular said:

A strong motor is like a puppy.  I always wanted one, but my mom said it's a lot of responsibility.  Did I know what that meant?  No.  Did we get it anyway?  Yes.  Did we take good care of our first puppy?  Probably not...  

 

ps.  Great analogy Juggular - will quote this to my boy before he starts to vaporize all my hard work.... :D

  • Haha 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Last one,   has it got to be a tamiya 19t pinion   ( 54629 19 t steel pinion )   and  the 13.5 t brushless motor has to be a 540 size can or nothing else fit is that right?  (only a motor for 1/10th size cars ? )
excuse my naivety but I'm learning fast thanks to you lot.
many thanks.

pinion 19t.jpg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
36 minutes ago, friskyjim said:

has it got to be a tamiya 19t pinion   ( 54629 19 t steel pinion )

No, well, I'm running Schumacher hardened pinion in mine, a 32dp (0.7938 mod, not the 0.8mod, but real close) and it's been fine so far, and I've run 5700kv / 5s @ 60mph, and currently 4300kv / 3s on the beach. 

Esc wise, the tble02s will be fine for a while with a 13t, but once you leave nimh for lipo, I'd consider upgrading the esc as the tamiya esc doesn't have a low volt cut off, yes you can run a Lipo alarm, but I prefer a built in cut off , as, face facts, if you're upgrading to lipo,  it'll mean you'll be looking for more speed, so a motor upgrade at the same time 🤔 (the 10bl120 will run sensored or sensorless). I've found the higher turn motors to be quite expensive, even 2nd hand, where as I've picked 5.5t and 6.5t motors up for a fiver...

A side note, if you're looking at buying a charger at this stage, look for a multi one, that'll charge nimh/Lipo (Imax b6ac charger is a great starter) 

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

As per the above, I've used the RW Racing 32dp 17T pinion and I currently have the Tamiya 19T 0.8 mod pinion that you have referenced above (#54629).

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have tried pinions from a few manufacturers, in both 32DP and 0.8 Module, and while they have all worked, the Tamiya steel 0.8 module ones have been the smoothest and quietest, which I equate to having the best mesh and thus the longest lifespan.

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
7 hours ago, Wooders28 said:

(the 10bl120 will run sensored or sensorless). I've found the higher turn motors to be quite expensive, even 2nd hand, where as I've picked 5.5t and 6.5t motors up for a fiver...

I did not know 10bl120 could run both sensored and sensorless.  That makes it an attractive option.  (I'm already calling it "ten-blue-120," because "10bl120" sounds more like some password than a name... I have a feeling that I would get to know this ESC) 

I've also seen low turn motors on ebay at lower price.  Because of the limit imposed by most ESCs, anything lower than 13.5t is hard to sell, forcing sellers to lower the price.  If you want to leave an option for making it a pocket-rocket, 10bl120 would be a good choice.  

32 pitch will work as a substitute.  (But a proper .8 module would be the best choice)  Don't get 48 pitch nor 0.6 module, they have different size teeth, and will destroy the spur gear.  (Yes, Tamiya have cars using 08 module, 48 pitch and 0.6 module, which confounds me greatly)  

 

 

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
6 hours ago, TurnipJF said:

I have tried pinions from a few manufacturers, in both 32DP and 0.8 Module, and while they have all worked, the Tamiya steel 0.8 module ones have been the smoothest and quietest, which I equate to having the best mesh and thus the longest lifespan.

I agree here. Tamiya steel pinions aren't exactly expensive either. 

As for the 10bl120 on low tutn motors, I had it running a 7.5t 5200kv in my DT03 with truck wheels and everything was getting very very hot. Might have been OK on regular buggy wheels bilut that's not what I use. 8.5 4400kv was no problem electrics-wise but I broke things. I think with very low tutn motors the gearing doesn't go low enough. On the 17t pinion it's only about 9.2 FDR. On road with correct gearing would be no trouble at all I expect. Sorry for the high jack. 

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
12 hours ago, friskyjim said:

this is for my 9 yr old son BTW -it's his birthday in a week -  he wants to beat his mate in a street race, who has a grasshopper with 540 sport tuned motor.

Hmm. If the idea is to win a street race, perhaps fitting a Sport Tuned would be a good idea? Matching the other kid's motor would make for fairer racing whereas fitting you son's car with a significantly faster one might just kick off an "arms race" which will eventually lead to both cars being fitted with motors that make them way overpowered, more prone to breakage and ultimately less fun.

The superior suspension and handling of the DT-03 will already give your son an advantage in a race against a Grasshopper.

Just something to think about...

  • Like 2
  • Haha 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I like the 9 year olds with RC car "arms race."  lol...  

Let's hope that they don't come up with "mutually assured destruction" and start ramming each others' cars head-on...  

 

  • Haha 3

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
On 3/15/2019 at 4:37 AM, Juggular said:

A strong motor is like a puppy.  I always wanted one, but my mom said it's a lot of responsibility.  Did I know what that meant?  No.  Did we get it anyway?  Yes.  Did we take good care of our first puppy?  Probably not...  

Beautiful. No way to put it any more clearly. 

  • Haha 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
14 hours ago, TurnipJF said:

Hmm. If the idea is to win a street race, perhaps fitting a Sport Tuned would be a good idea? Matching the other kid's motor would make for fairer racing whereas fitting you son's car with a significantly faster one might just kick off an "arms race" which will eventually lead to both cars being fitted with motors that make them way overpowered, more prone to breakage and ultimately less fun.

The superior suspension and handling of the DT-03 will already give your son an advantage in a race against a Grasshopper.

Just something to think about...

;)Good point Turnip,  nothing wrong with a fair competition, but nothing like 'hands-down' kicking your mates a**s*  in a street battle , his mates parents aren't short of a few quid, so I'm sure they'll come back with something,  all in the name of good fun.
 

  • Haha 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Alright boys? Have managed to buy a 2nd hand (but as good as new racing fighter off a tamiya enthusiast on ebay)  - seems like a good guy - I've only had to buy the radio gear for it - it comes with a 540 torque tuned motor - so hopefully will be nippy anyway (am I right in saying the 540 sport tuned will be a little faster than the torque tuned?)
Also buying the speed passion MMM next week (and have some sealed bearings on the way for it)  It will be well looked after, he's a pretty good driver my boy.
  here it is:

 

tam 2.jpg

tam 1.jpg

tam 3.jpg

  • Like 6

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Lols like a good buy!

Will you be fitting the upgrades yourself prior to the birthday, or giving them to him separately for him to fit with your assistance?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks Turnip, yeah good buy I hope, was £80 plus delivery charge - all built off an ebayer with high feedback and was good when communicating with him.
I'm going to give my boy the the car 'as is'  ... but buying the Speedpassion anyway on tuesday, and as soon as he's had a few fair races with his buddy - then when he gets bored of the 540 torque motor - in goes the brushless.
Out of interest turnip -  the torque and sport tuned 540 - about the same in a flat out street race?     - I'm thinking the torque a little better on grass/rough ground - but sport better on tarmac etc?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The Sport Tuned will have the edge in both settings, unless you are planning an endurance race in which case the lower current draw of the Torque Tuned would give the advantage of longer runtimes.

Just make sure the street race has some corners in it, and the Racing Fighter should beat a Grasshopper quite easily even if it has a bit less power. It is significantly superior in terms of handling.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×
×
  • Create New...