JessF
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I've been thinking of ways to reduce the weight of a stock SC8 while maintaining a high degree of durability. I'd read in a recent R/C Car magazine that weight reduction DOES improve fuel mileage while increasing speed and response time. They concluded this by testing two identical vehicles but with one making use of all available weight reducing parts one could imagine. The final results did show improvement, if only a slight amount and probably only noticeable by pro racers.
Regardless, I've set out to reduce the weight of a stock SC8 because I feel there's much to be gained by doing so to this particular model. Modding the cage and heavy body are high on the list. Adding CF parts where possible and removing parts which I deem unnecessary are also on the list.
I'm debating whether or not to get the aluminium outdrives and sub-axles. These parts will of course reduce weight, but their durability is questionable and I've heard mixed reviews on both. I've got some Ghea parts on order, will gives these a try.
In the end, I hope to improve:
-better fuel mileage with stock AE .28 Pro,
-agility,
-increased durability, less weight in a crash,
-better in-air characteristics, more control from throttle responses,
-fewer parts to clean and maintain.
probably more benefits than I can think of right now.
I'll try to weigh parts as I go, I plan on borrowing a scale from work. From what I've been able to gather, a stock SC8 weights between 8.7lb (3946g) without receiver pack or body or 9lbs dry and with body. Either way, any amount under 8.7 lbs I'll be happy.
First thing I considered was aluminium screws to replace as many steel one's as possible. I found an online supplier of metric aluminium screws, got a variety of 400 (7075 T6 alum.) for around $60 shipped. I saved money by not getting the anodized ones. I plan on replacing most of the screws you'll find on the top of the chassis as any aluminium screws mounted from below will likely get damaged while scraping against rocks and the ground. Things like engine mounts, front centre and rear diff bulkheads will have steel screws.
I picked up the AE CF servo tray. Didn't know separate servo mounts were required so I made my own. Used some extra aluminium post from an AX10. One end is already cut with 3M coarse thread so it made this process a little easier. I cut them to size (20mm), tapped them to accept a 3M screw, then used a small forstner bit and a drill press with depth stop to mill them to the same length.
Steel screws to hold the posts to the chassis plate, and aluminium screws to hold the servos in.
these parts have not yet been weighed although I'm told the CF plate weighs a bit more, oh well.
more to come...
Regardless, I've set out to reduce the weight of a stock SC8 because I feel there's much to be gained by doing so to this particular model. Modding the cage and heavy body are high on the list. Adding CF parts where possible and removing parts which I deem unnecessary are also on the list.
I'm debating whether or not to get the aluminium outdrives and sub-axles. These parts will of course reduce weight, but their durability is questionable and I've heard mixed reviews on both. I've got some Ghea parts on order, will gives these a try.
In the end, I hope to improve:
-better fuel mileage with stock AE .28 Pro,
-agility,
-increased durability, less weight in a crash,
-better in-air characteristics, more control from throttle responses,
-fewer parts to clean and maintain.
probably more benefits than I can think of right now.
I'll try to weigh parts as I go, I plan on borrowing a scale from work. From what I've been able to gather, a stock SC8 weights between 8.7lb (3946g) without receiver pack or body or 9lbs dry and with body. Either way, any amount under 8.7 lbs I'll be happy.
First thing I considered was aluminium screws to replace as many steel one's as possible. I found an online supplier of metric aluminium screws, got a variety of 400 (7075 T6 alum.) for around $60 shipped. I saved money by not getting the anodized ones. I plan on replacing most of the screws you'll find on the top of the chassis as any aluminium screws mounted from below will likely get damaged while scraping against rocks and the ground. Things like engine mounts, front centre and rear diff bulkheads will have steel screws.
I picked up the AE CF servo tray. Didn't know separate servo mounts were required so I made my own. Used some extra aluminium post from an AX10. One end is already cut with 3M coarse thread so it made this process a little easier. I cut them to size (20mm), tapped them to accept a 3M screw, then used a small forstner bit and a drill press with depth stop to mill them to the same length.
Steel screws to hold the posts to the chassis plate, and aluminium screws to hold the servos in.
these parts have not yet been weighed although I'm told the CF plate weighs a bit more, oh well.
more to come...
