Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Land Models / September 2005

Like everything else you need to start with the most important thing
first, "How much do you want to spend?"

If you have the money a brushless is the way to go.  The Novak Super
Sport can be bought from their website for $165 now.  Your Rustler will
go much faster, but you will not lose much run time.  Maintenance is
little to nothing.  I was cautious at first, "Is it really worth the
extra expense?"  Yes, yes, yes!  Mod motor speed, stock motor runtime,
little maintenance.  I was hooked the first time I tried one.  Heat is
not as much an issue with these motors.  The only physical contact
between the motor casing and internal shaft are through the bearings.
A normal motor has metal brushes rubbing on the metal comm, yeah that
creates some heat!  After running my SS with a 3300 pack the motor is
warm, the ESC is hot, but not so bad I can't hold my finger on it.  I
don't wait very long before slapping in another pack and going back
out.

If you can't afford that then your looking at a new brushed motor.
There are hundreds to chose from and if you ask 12 people they will
each pick a different "best" motor.  Most any rebuildable motor will be
more reliable then the Stinger, so start there.  When you look at
motors you will see they are rated in "turns".  A 55 turn motor will
run your Rustler for almost an hour, but it will be VERY slow.  An 8
turn motor will drain your battery in under 5 minutes, but it will be a
FAST!  The faster you go the more parts you will break and the faster
things will wear out.  Too slow and it won't be any fun so whats the
point of driving it?  You need to figure out where in that scale you
are happiest.  With the XL-1 you can go down to 17 turns without
cooking your ESC out-right so let that be your bottom limit.

Personally I like 19 turn motors for bashing.  Faster then stock
motors, but still enough runtime to make it fun.  Find your own "happy
place" though, 19 turn may not do it for you.

If it was me and I could not afford brushless (shudder at the though!),
this is the motor I would get
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGCH1&P=ML
I have an older version that I like, and I have seen tons of those at
my local track in the 19 turn class.

Regardless of the motor you get, keep the motor clean, replace the
brushes and have the comm turned often and that will keep the heat down
as well.

Beware of cheap motors.  Sure that $20 motor has 17 turns, but what
kind of magnets does it have?  How good are the bearings?  Will the
brushes crumble as soon as they get warm?  Is the comm balanced or will
it wobble when spun?  Was it shimmed or does it have a lot of
side-to-side play?  How well was it tested before it left the factory?

Great Rustler Sites
http://www.ultimatetraxxas.com/
http://www.misbehavin-rc.com/      <-Has how-to articles on heat-sinks

Yes, I own two Stampedes and a Rustler. They are overgeared. I think
Traxxas tries to squeeze the most performance out of what they have.
That being said. If you don't want any better performance, and just
want a low maintenance motor, new Stingers can be picked up used for
cheap. I have seen then for $5 on ebay. Gear it 15/87 or 16/87. This
will lessen the heat on the ESC and motor. I know many here will say
they Stinger is junk. But for low maintenance-you can't do anything to
is- I have had good luck with them lasting a long time. You can also
buy a motor. I would get a 19 turn Trinity motor if you want to go that
route. Trinity makes nice motors IMO. Gear it two less the number of
turns. 19 turn means gearing it 17 tooth pinion. Just my 2 cents.