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ikana.email@gmail.com - 25 Dec 2006 08:08 GMT

I recently purchased an rc18b ready to run buggy and I would like to
start upgrading it. What should I look for in terms of motor, speed
controller, an battery upgrades? What else should I consider upgrading?
I'd prefer to spend less than $200 total, it doesn't need to be
amazingly fast or anything. I am very new to this hobby and would like
some advice.

Also, I have a yokomo electric car chassis, it looks pretty nice to me,
it is carbon fiber, 1/10 scale I think. (slightly less than twice the
size of my rc18b) I have some experience with electronics and soldering
and such, so I would like to build it, but I am very much at a loss for
what to buy and where to buy it. I heard that I will need to buy
individual batteries for it and assemble them myself, and it does have
slots for 6 individual batteries, not for a battery pack.

So I guess I need a motor, speed controller, receiver, batteries,
tires, a body, and a steering servo. I'd like it to be fairly nice. I
know it will be pretty expensive. If anyone has any guides handy or
advice, I would appreciate it.

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ian - 25 Dec 2006 12:17 GMT

:I recently purchased an rc18b ready to run buggy and I would like to
: start upgrading it. What should I look for in terms of motor, speed
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
: know it will be pretty expensive. If anyone has any guides handy or
: advice, I would appreciate it.

If you are going to officially race the car you need a speed controller that
doesn't have a reverse. Also you need the controller to match the speed of
the motor. Personally if you are planning to make it go faster then start
by buying stronger bits for the chassis.

As for the yokomo home made battery packs are only necessary for serious
racers. You should find that the battery pack holder will go on upside
down. This should be ok for a stick pack. A spare piece of foam the same
material as the bumper is required. This will fit either infront of behind
the battery pack to fill the space.

You will need a steering servo, reciever, speed controller and motor.
checkpoint motors are considered the best. Get an lrp ai speed controller
that matches or preferably exceeds the needs of the motor. A standard servo
will do. You dont need a high torque or ultra response one. Get a futaba
3001. When you buy a transmitter reciever combo make sure you can adjust
the rate of stearing and not just the trim. This is especially important
for racing.

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Richard - 25 Dec 2006 12:54 GMT

> :I recently purchased an rc18b ready to run buggy and I would like to
> : start upgrading it. What should I look for in terms of motor, speed
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> : know it will be pretty expensive. If anyone has any guides handy or
> : advice, I would appreciate it.

> As for the yokomo home made battery packs are only necessary for serious
> racers. You should find that the battery pack holder will go on upside
> down. This should be ok for a stick pack. A spare piece of foam the same
> material as the bumper is required. This will fit either infront of behind
> the battery pack to fill the space.

If its like any of the older Yokomo cars and buggies then it most likely
needs saddle packs, usually in a 3 X 3 configuration. You can still buy
saddle packs as most 1/12 scale and a lot of the 1/10 on and off-road
vehicles run a saddle configuration.

This might help if your going to build your own:
http://www.rccaraction.com/articles/build_battery.asp

Cheers

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Richard - 25 Dec 2006 12:26 GMT

> I recently purchased an rc18b ready to run buggy and I would like to
> start upgrading it. What should I look for in terms of motor, speed
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> know it will be pretty expensive. If anyone has any guides handy or
> advice, I would appreciate it.

Give these guys a call or drop them a email, they offer excellent service
world wide and will give advice accordingly. Their not just out to make a
quick buck and will suggest a motor, esc and battery configuration that will
suit your needs. Did I mention free world wide postage and 5% off if you
order before Dec 28 06? I think their usual deal is free postage if you
spend over $100 (USD).

http://www.b-p-p.com/

What motor you go for will be depend on how much speed and power you want,
the same goes for batteries when you start getting into Lipo technology.

A part from Bishops there is a few good 1/18 scale forums around that offer
helpful info as well http://www.one18th.com/ is a good starting point.

Their great fun when you go with the fastest motor and largest capacity and
highest volt Lipo's but they also hurt the wallet when you hit something at
50+ mph, but being able to pull wheelies at almost any speed or throttle
position is just a whole lotta fun.

I highly recommend a decent set of road rubber (or foam) tyres. Pin spike
tyres just don't last very long with lots of power. One battery destroyed a
brand new set on my Mini T.

About the only other suggestion would be a spare set of CVD's, some stronger
suspension arms, carbon fibre chassis and the list goes on.

Good Luck.

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Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Land Models / December 2006

getting started