Project:Traxxas Evo8 (1/8th buggy)

[EDS]

Project: Traxxas Evo8
Traxxas 1/8th Buggy
I got this idea when I was in a brainstorm session of potential upcoming projects. After looking in it this seemed like a perfect project to get me back into the swing of making custom r/c cars. I know a few people have made 1/8th buggies in to CORR trucks and so why not a Slayer into a buggy? The wheelbase and width are perfect for being a 1/8th buggy and very close to other 1/8th's. After doing some more research I took the plunge and bought myself a Slayer roller for $140. This will be the starting point and the base for the project which will end up being the first Traxxas 1/8th Buggy.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0601091227c.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0601091227.jpg
This isn't going to be just a half-asked conversion by just putting some buggy tires,wing,and body on the stock Slayer. My project goal is to make it a competitor against other 1/8th buggies such as the 8ight, Rc8, 808. This means I will be tearing it apart and putting a 1/8th center diff in the middle and make a aluminum flat chassis that goes under the diffs to lower the Center of Gravity.Along with doing other modifications to help it be able to compete with the other buggies. I'm not much of a Nitro guy so I will be going the Lipo/Brushless route once the time comes to get it running. But, for now I'm going to be concentrating on getting this thing built. I know that I have a reputation for starting projects and taking along time to finish them. But I can promise I will all finish my projects..eventually.But first I have to finish this one and then I will work on my others.


Tear Down and cleaning
I tore everything apart and got it all cleaned up and got rid of the stuff I don't need (Transmission, Chassis,Etc) Here is what is left.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0622091155.jpg

I apologize for the quality of the pictures once I start making more major progress I will have better quality pictures.
So far since I bought the roller for $140 and sold the parts that I didn't use for $40. I have only spent $100.Throughout the build I will be keeping tabs of how much I spend and my goal is to come out under $250 for a roller. I just bought a Rc8 Center Differential. Once I have this I can come up with a chassis design along with chassis stiffeners and battery tray designs.I will be buying a piece of aluminum sheet soon for the chassis. I'm going to start with 1/8" 6061-T6 Aluminum for the first prototype chassis. 6061 is much cheaper and and should be strong enough to do testing. Once I know the exact design and know it will work I will be making a new chassis out of 7075 material just like all the other 1/8th buggies out there and I will also be getting it anodized. Over all this project looks like it will be a pretty simple project especially compared to my other projects that I'm working on.

Here is a list of how much I'm spending on the project and I will keep updating it:
Slayer Roller= $140-40= $100
RC8 diff and stand offs=$33.74
1/8" 6061-T6 aluminum sheet=32.29

Oh yea.. I have a website that has all of my projects on it.. I update the website with progress before I post it on the forums.. Check it out =)
www.teamkassanova.webs.com

Ethan

[Steve.M]

Sounds like a fun project. Lets see some progress!

[Lyric]

im soon to be starting a project like that but not quite the same im building a race slayer that is roar leagal

[EDS]

Today I finally got the RC8 Center diff today. It came brand new in package and just like everything thing else 1/8th I was surprised by the size. After a few minutes of just messing around and building it I decided to try something that I had heard may work for the Center drive shafts. This is one of the only issues that I was worrying about with this project was finding some center drive shafts that would fit.I got the tip from brushlessboy16 (Who is now my new best friend:D)that I can cut down Revo axles to replace the input shafts on the center diff so that I could use sliders. I was curious and realized that I had some Revo axles on the buggy already since the Revo and Slayer use the same axles. I figured out it would actually work and started hacking away. They ended up fitting perfectly with some modification . I know that sliders don't show up in the racing dictionary but they are cheap, more "Traxxas" like, and they fix my problem of trying to find correct length Cva's that fit on the Revo diffs. Here is how I made the modifications to make the sliders work on the Rc8 Center diff.

1.First I had to shave about 1/8th inch off of the black plastic part where the axle hooks on to the sliders.

2.Then I spent about an hour and half using my hand saw to cut down the axles so that they where the same length as the Rc8 inputs.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0702091911.jpg

3. That's about all there is to it after that I just started putting it back together.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0702091911a.jpg
(Right is stock, Center is cut-down, Left is the completed one)

4. Once you have it put all together it should look like this.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0702091919.jpg

The diff mounts fit perfectly around the axle coupling so that the pin doesn't fall out.
And the diff in the mounts with the top plate..
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0702092009a.jpg

Over all I was very surprise how well everything to fit together.As far as shafts go I just used the Slayer Sliders off of the front of the buggy. I figured I can get a set to replace them off of ebay because the Slayer sliders fit perfectly.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0702092011.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0702092010a-1.jpg

Ethan
Team Kassanova

[LSXEric]

Sweet Ethan, all custom is the name of the game for you. Looks great and I'll always be surprised at the end.

[Maxx man]

sweet!!! looks awsome!!!... just wondering... why didnt you use the aftermarket revo center diff?

[Fiero_Man_121]

very sweet! as usual, im mega jelous, and inspired to go mess with my stuff more:D

bdw i feel sorry for your rcu post, that was very poor example of how racers see independent thinking

[EDS]

Lsx eric: Thank you! Yea custom cars is the name of the game for me. Actually I have a hard time driving or having a factory car now days. I think its just more fun to make a custom one and more satisfying to drive it and knowing that you have something nobody else does.

Nitro Basher: Thanks. Well the Revo center diff doesn't have a spur gear on it. So it would be difficult to mount a spur gear on it and then it would be more difficult to mount it to the chassis.

Fiero: I'm glad man. I think more people should be making custom cars and modifications.

yea it started to get abit out of hand so I just told them this isn't the place to discuss the matter and so I made them a thread just so that they can talk about that instead of in my thread. Because really me and my project have no connection to wither or not Traxxas will make a buggy. My buggy is just going to be for my personal use or may be raced by an experianced racer.

As far as updates goes I drew up a chassis design and my original layout idea.. would have made the chassis way to wide and heavy. This is the layout I was originally going to use..
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/ercmp927.jpg
I liked how all the batteries would be mounted on the chassis so that the COG would be low but it would have made the chassis way too wide. So after brainstorming layouts I found the layout that I believe I will be using..
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/OOP_5048.jpg
Even though the COG is higher the batteries are closer to the center. This makes it so the higher COG doesn't matter as much. This will allow me to use stick packs and it also makes it so that my chassis can be slimmer cutting down on weight.

I'll be getting a final design done for the chassis today and hopefully cutting the chassis today to but that might have to wait till tomarrow.

Ethan
Team Kassanova

[Fiero_Man_121]

:cool::cool::cool:

ive never seen the first config done to a 1/8 conversion (sadle packs)

keep um coming!

[EDS]

Bulkheads and Chassis

First off today I cut the Bulkheads down so that the electronics and batteries could fit in.Before I cut them though I measured how far it was from the center of the Rocker post to the shock mounting hole. Then I got out the scroll saw and hacked away at the Bulkheads.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0704091451.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0704091452a.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0704091452a.jpg
After I got those cut I finalized the chassis drawings. And taped them to the piece of 1/8th" 6061-T6 aluminum.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0704091543.jpg
After a couple hours of cutting and filing I came out with this..

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0704092038a.jpg
For cutting aluminum for the first time andonly having hand tools I think it came out good. But after cutting it I realized the parts where the front and rear of the chassis hook on are probably too thin. Unfortunately, I don't have material to make another one so this one will have to do for now until I get some 7075.Then I will put the diffs on risers so that the front and rear can be wider. I still have some more filing ,drilling,and bending to do but here is how it should turn out and how it looks right now.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0705091301.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0705091302a.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0704092033a.jpg
This last picture is just to give you an idea of where the batteries will be going. Obviously they aren't going to be the actual packs that I will use. I plan on using some lipo 5000mah 7.4v packs.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0704092036.jpg

Today I'm going to try to finish the chassis and mount the diffs. I will probably also start drawing the battery mounts and the shocks/chassis stiffeners too. Watch for updates. Actually I created a website for projects..
www.Teamkassanova.webs.com . There you will find all my projects and the latest updates on them (I will be posting updates first on my website)

Ethan
Team Kassanova

[Philderbeast]

A rocker suspention brushless buggy. Should be very good. I thought about a truggy made from revo bulkheads, but was unsure how to do it because of the leanth. Cutting them down never occured to me. I will follow this build for ideas.

[Fiero_Man_121]

ya know i got on to your site and one thing led to another and i wound up joining your forum, jerk


lol :D

i cant belive your parents let you do rc stuff in the house let alone machine parts! i think the only times ive done stuff in my room is when i started the fiero build and built the sbv2 pro but if i had to cut stuff or fab anything i went into the 10,000 degree with 90% humidity garadge!

[EDS]

Bashracerphil: Thanks, Yea I'm going to make my own shock mounts from lexan and have them bolt to the chassis. Here is a guy that made his revo into a truggy..http://monster.traxxas.com/showthread.php?t=355992&highlight=trevo

Fiero: lol my bad :p
Yea it was really nice being able to work down there. But now I'm moving to Mobile,Alabama (where it will be humid and hot if i'm in the garage) so who knows what the situation will be down there and it looks like we will have to live in a hotel for acouple months..so I probably won't get to do much cutting so I'm trying to get most of that stuff done before we move.Looks like you live in South Florida nice!

[EDS]

wow haven't posted here in forever well. I'm living in the deep south now down here in Mobile, Alabama and I finally gotten all my stuff from storage...I have been able to work on this project here and their and thought I would share..I mounted the front end and rear ends. I also got a battery tray mounted and to hold the batteries in it will use two velcro straps like the one in the picture. I'm very excited about how this project is turning out..:nod: and I haven't even gotten to the bodies, wheels, or tires. I will let the pictures speak for themselves..
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_0852.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_0858.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_0830.jpg
Next, I will be ordering a Rc8 servo saver to complete the steering and some Revo drive shafts to cut up and put in the center to link the center diff to the front diff.

Ethan

[NHRCA_Revo]

is that how the lower chassis is going to be mounted? but it looks pretty cool setup

[Maxx man]

looks killer... cant wait to see how it turns out

[Daveo]

nice work. You are good with hand tools

[EDS]

NHRCA: Yes, that will be how low the chassis is mounted. Obviously, that won't be the resulting ground clearance once I add wheels and tires and such.

Nitrobasher: Thanks, I can't wait either. Especially to see it with the body and wheels and tires.

Daveo: Thanks, Daveo

Made a discovery today.. the stock rc8-e motor mount won't work on this because I want the motor positioned on the left side and the motor mount would put it on the right side so I will have to use a Tekno mount or a novak mount.

[EDS]

I got the steering set-up and the mud guards in the mail. I decided to not put the mud guards on until I get the body to make sure I place them so the body fits tight. I did however mount the steering and it fits very nicely. I had to trim the bulkheads slightly because of clearance issues and had to move the steering rack from the tops of the bell cranks to the bottoms. It looks like this will provide good steering geometry. I'm very happy how the steering fits into place.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0302001928.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0302001928b.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0302001929.jpg

I'm awaiting the Revo driveshafts so I can cut them down to make the center shaft. I also purchased a used Tekno 36mm motor mount for $12 that should be here later in the week.

[Maxx man]

looks like its a factory job... very clean

[EDS]

Thanks NitroBasher. =) Maybe if I make it factory looking enough I can pass it as a Traxxas prototype and start a uproar about how is traxxas making a 1/8th buggy haha

Still waiting on the motor mount and driveshafts.I'm hoping they will be here tomorrow.

[Fiero_Man_121]

lol i remember that on rcu. what a bunch of sad ppl:D

[Maxx man]

lol i remember that on rcu. what a bunch of sad ppl:D

haha... its amazing how easy it is to fool people these days

[roadrunnr43]

yeah it is. hey, did you know if you say "gullible" reeaally slow, it sounds like "green beans"?

[Maxx man]

yeah it is. hey, did you know if you say "gullible" reeaally slow, it sounds like "green beans"?

omg... I fell for it haha point proven

[roadrunnr43]

I got more: only 2% of the population can lick there elbows.




also, 90% of people who read that, try to lick there elbows.
and sorry for the thread-jacking.

[tormentor3211]

Did you know that the word gullible isn't in the dictionary?

[Maxx man]

I got more: only 2% of the population can lick there elbows.




also, 90% of people who read that, try to lick there elbows.
and sorry for the thread-jacking.
I know that one ^^


Did you know that the word gullible isn't in the dictionary?
and Im not fallin for that one lol...


anyway sorry about the thread jack

[EDS]

haha wow. I fell for the green bean one.

I got the Revo shafts today for the center. I have finals for school tomorrow and Friday (high school..*rolls eyes*) and a soccer game Friday. I will hopefully update this weekend.

[EDS]

After a busy week of school and soccer and getting a job at a local movie theater.. I made some progress on the Evo8. First I cut up the Revo drive shafts and put a male half shaft in the middle of two female shafts to make the center drive shaft. Then I cut up the Rc8 steering top plate so the drive shaft could fit. I also had to grind a slot in the bulkhead upper deck because of drive shaft clearance issues. After I got the center drive shaft taken care of I took the parts I had used from the Slayer drive-shafts on the center diff and replaced them with the new Revo drive-shaft parts so that I had complete Slayer drive-shafts.

I got the mudguards mounted and had to cut down the chassis slightly in the front to make them line up. I think those turned out great.

Next, I mounted the Tekno motor mount by drilling slots in the chassis. As you can see from the pictures its alittle crooked so I will have to fix that with alittle bit more drilling.

Lastly, I got a piece of black vinyl from a teacher at school for free and decided to try wrapping the chassis in it. Its a little bit shinier than I would like and also has quiet a few air bubbles in it. I figure you won't see too much of the top of the chassis once all the electronics are in place.I didn't wrap the top decks yet becuase I'm still trying to decide if I like it.. what do you guys think? I know on the bottom with the vinyl or with it I will probably be a lexan chassis guard and so I really wouldn't need the vinyl on the bottom since I would paint the chassis guard black.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_0936.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_0944.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_0938.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_0942.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_0948-1.jpg

I also just ordered some 17mm adapters from a guy used for $7 shipped. He isn't sure what brand they are but he says they will fit so I'm hoping they will do.

[Maxx man]

looks GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!! this really should be what traxxas does to get into the 1/8 game

[Fiero_Man_121]

yeah, great job on it so far!

nitro, according to some if traxxas makes a truggy or buggy proper, the ground will split open, the sky will fall, and citys will burn:p

[Maxx man]

so they'll have it in two years right? :P

[Fiero_Man_121]

lmao

when i read that i cracked up

[EDS]

Thanks Nitro Basher

haha

Got a small update. I got the 14mm adapters in the mail which I picked up used for $7 shipped. Not a bad deal in my mind. They are Ofna adapters that have been de-anodized and they fit quiet well.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_0953.jpg

I also wrapped the top decks to see how it would look. I think the "blackness" looks good but again the shininess makes it look cheap. You can all see the bubbles on the lower chassis more in the picture below. Most of them will not be visible when I put the battery tray and all the electronics in it. I will eventually be making a new chassis which will be anodized though for a better look. Just wanted to experiment with the vinyl. Who knows some flat black or carbon vinyl might look better.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_0954.jpg

Next I will be making front chassis stiffeners that will connect the upper deck and lower chassis.
As far as upcoming purchases.. I will be buying some steering turnbuckles, a plastic Ae 50t spur gear, a body, and I might pick up some wheels.

I'm going out to the garage to work on the chassis stiffeners right now so look for a small update soon :nod:

[Philderbeast]

I think if you were to pull the vinyl, and use some flat blackepoxy paint it would look soo sweet.

[Maxx man]

looks really good! and I agree a flat black would look really good

[EDS]

Now that schools out I have a lot more time for my projects and too work so I can fund them.

I dug out this project and I drew up a new chassis for this so I can cut it out. The old one was too weak and alot of the holes weren't exactly in the right places. Hopefully this new chassis will be stronger and fit better. I also will be re-making the upper chassis's as they aren't up to spec as far as the holes matching up.

I have a ordered a body for it...and will be ordering tires and wheels for it along with the other parts I will need to complete this.

I'm going to be redesigning the battery mounting system and also revising the steering and motor mounting.

I'm putting so much effort into making this as nice as a conversion as I can because I will be sending off to a friend of mine who is a very good racer for him to put electronics in it and do some testing for me.He will be racing it, taking pictures, and taking videos for me. I myself don't have the money to put electronics in this nor do I have the money to race it. I have to have it to him by July 5th so the end of this month is my deadline.

In other words... I'm start pretty close to fresh..and have a month to do it..Stay tuned for progress.

[EDS]

I got the new chassis Cut out, drilled,and filed today. I got most of the stuff to line up better but I will have to do some small adjustments to it to get everything to line up correctly.

I also got the body today. Its Jconcepts Rc8e Hi-flow body. After some trimming I got it to fit pretty well. I'm debating wither or not to make scoop like think to cover up the front shocks or not.
Unfortunately.. my painter says he won't be able to paint the body before the deadline because he doesn't have enough time... so now I will either have to find someone else to paint it for free or rattle can it myself. If anyone is interested in helping me out and donating a paint job to me that would be great. The project is on many forums and I will also be sending pictures to the magazine...so the paint job would be seen. It would be a pity to have this project turn out sick and then end up having to put a crappy paint job on top of it. Let me know if any of you guys with mad airbrushing skills can help me out. I would need the body done by the 25th or so. Thanks

Next, I will be remaking the upper chassis plates and making a front chassis brace out of 1/4" lexan.

Oh yea.. and some pictures
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0603001804-1.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0603001804a-1.jpg

[OldSchoolRC]

coming along very well! I vote to leave the shocks open, looks killer that way.

[Maxx man]

^^ I agree... and it looks great! Im no master with an airbrush. Id do it but my parents would let me give my adress away just to paint a body for free... sorry

and is that a big ole' pile of RCD mags in the backround?

[Fiero_Man_121]

yeah and what appears to be some other icky mag that isnt as awsome:p

looks sweet, i say leave it open. short of heat forming a peice to go over the front it would not look as good

[savage24x]

Yea, leave the shocks open! They look awesome!!

[EDS]

Yea I'm definatly going to be leaving the shocks open.

and yes that is a large pile of Rc driver mags sitting their =)

[EDS]

Small update..today I got a shipment of parts...I got:

Team Associated Rc8 Black Wing

Team Associated Rc8-e motor mount

Team Associated RC8 Plastic Spur 50t

Team Associated Rc8 Steel Steering TurnBuckles

Traxxas Screws

Traxxas Slash Decals

Traxxas Revo Decals

Traxxas Variable Dampening Kit

Traxxas Slayer Springs Double Purple

Traxxas Slayer Springs Double Black

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/536406978_1896420738_0.jpg

Because it was so hot today I felt like doing some de-anodizing. So I went to good will and got a $2 pot. Then went to Lowe's found some Greased Lighting. Went home poured the Greased Lightning in the pot and put all the blue parts in. I let them sit for about 20 minutes while shaking the pot everyonce in awhile. I took them out and used a high pressure water sprayer to spray them off. I learned this is a very important step because otherwise they will oxidize and turn blackish. The 17mm hubs I had bought had been thru the same process but weren't sprayed off so I re-did the process on them



BEFORE
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/big.jpg

AFTER
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/536404173_1896410065_0.jpg

Ah thats much better. Sorry about the small pictures don't know what happened their. =/ Anyway.. The next step would be to get these Anodized red.. but I don;t have the money to get them anodized and I will also be selling this project once I'm finished I will just leave them like this. I figure silver matches red and black alot better then blue.
I have been working on the battery mounts and chassis stiffeners and hope to show you guys those mounted up soon.

[Fiero_Man_121]

are you going to polish the peices

[EDS]

Nah I think they look alright how they are.

[EDS]

With only a week till I have to take pictures of this project finished I figured it was time to get down to business. Today I spent about 3 hours in the hot garage working on the buggy. I got the chassis braces completely mounted, the front of the battery mounting system finished and mounted, and the shocks mounted on the new upper chassis. Oh and I also got the steering linkages bolted on and they fit perfectly. The front in is basically finished..I just have to fit a servo linkage and mount the servo mounts. Yesterday I worked some on the rear of the buggy so its not too far behind.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/537230430_1899519332_0.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/537230313_1899518884_0.jpg
I also recieved a couple feet of matte black vinyl that I got off of ebay for cheap. I figure that I can try wrapping the chassis and upper chassis's with it to see what it looks like. I think that it will actually look good if I can do it with out all the air bubbles. I think what made my last vinyl wrap job look bad was the vinyl was shiny and had lots of air bubbles it it. So I will try again with the matte black. Just to see and if it looks good I will take the finished pictures of it with the vinyl on it.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/537228702_1899512978_0.jpg

Oh and sorry about the small low quality pictures large high quality ones will be taken when I'm finished.

[Fiero_Man_121]

it looks great so far!

i read you were gonna sell it on the other forum, what gives? id keep it and like the other guy said, put money aside for the 60 or 80 amp ez-run, who cares if you cant race it!

[EDS]

thanks.... yeaa well its meant to be raced. I don't know though after seeing how this thing is going to turn out I might keep it.. cause its getting sicker and sicker.

Another small update....

Today I was exciting becuase I got the tires and wheels in.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/downsized_0614001645.jpg

I decided it would be a good day to try my 2nd chemical "experiment" so i decided to dye the rockers and wheels black to match the rest of the buggy...

Before:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/0614001740.jpg

After:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/downsized_0614001851.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/downsized_0614001940.jpg
Anybody else getting excited yet??

[Maxx man]

yes.... you had better lock youre doors tonight, I want that pretty bad right now, it looks sick...

[Lyric]

looks like it came staight from traxxas

[Philderbeast]

Hey man, that is absolutley the best looking buggy I have see in my life. I am certain it will out handle anything on the track. Nice job, props man.

[EDS]

Nitrobasher: hahahahah I sleeep with it.. so your gonna have to pry it out of my fingers haha

Lyric: If anyone asks.. I was not the one who leaked the pics I swear!! haha seriously though thanks I take that as a huge compliment =) Considering I want to work at Traxxas Or Associated or Losi someday.

BashracerPhil: WOW! thanks man. You haven't seen the best of this buggy yet either. I really hope it performs well on the track otherwise it will sorta be a waste of time.. was except the fact that I'm building Traxxas's first real 1/8th 4wd buggy.Thanks again


I finished the battery compartment today. It is a quick release set-up. At one end is a screw that acts as a hinge while at the other end their is a pin (screw) that I cut the top off and screwed on end into a thumb screw. You unscrew the rod using the thumb screw and then pull the pin and the battery strap can pivot upwards. On the side I decided to do some work with the scroll saw and cut out the buggie's name. I will be painting all these parts since they are lexan. Next I just have to finish up the back of the buggy and make wing mounts and body mounts. I'll be working on that stuff tomarrow and friday.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/downsized_0616001915.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/downsized_0616001917.jpg

Finished pictures.....Saturday night.They will be posted on my project website www.Teamkassanova.webs.com before anywhere else.

[Fiero_Man_121]

you should just ask someone if they would let you borough a 1/8th sytem just to say its done and you can run it. i know id lend you mine if i had one

[Maxx man]

looks great! and I like that battery box

[EDS]

Hey guys took it to the track for a photoshoot. It was the last chance I had to get it to the track for this. The roller is pretty much done. I have a few things I have to do like mount body posts, make small adjustments, set it up correctly, and mount servo mounts. I also am having problems with the center diff spinning freely so I have to fix that tomarrow. But other than that the roller is DONE! I'm shipping this out hopefully Monday priority mail to my friend in Michigan for him to load it up with electronics.. he will take pictures of it with the electronics in it..then do some testing on the track.. I will report back with the pics and with test results.. if everything goes good he will be racing it July 10th. Also be looking for videos. Now to the pics!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_1538.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_1540.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_1541.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_1550.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_1552.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_1543.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_1564.jpg

[Maxx man]

my chin hit the floor dude... no kidding. looks GREAT! it looks like a factory job

[Philderbeast]

Lovin the flat black. Did you paint the outside of the body to get that effect? I tryed painting the inside flat black, it turned out gloss, that sucked. Anyways, that is a wicked sweet custom, and I think it is cool what you are doing. Great job!!!

May I suggest some thin red pinstripe flames. I think it would look nice on there and help to break up the black just a little.

[EDS]

Nitrobasher: Thanks man for the compliment. I'm glad you think it looks factory.

Bashracerphil: Yea.. I painted the outside.. then put red on the inside so when the black gets scratched the red will show. Thanks man

Yeaa I tried breaking up the black with red window trim.. and i didn't like it so scraped it off... I don't have the skills to do pinstripe flames haha But thanks man


Finally I'm finished with this project...well for now..

I spent all yesterday trying to figure out why the center diff wasn't turning the rear diff smoothly. I ended up having to shim it with a spacer plate I made out of a divider you would find in fishing takkle box. I also replaced the rear out put on the center diff with the stock Rc8 outdrive and epoxied a pin in the output shaft of the revo diff. This is much smoother. I just up it will hold up. Last night I stayed up till about 3:30 doing finishing touch type of stuff like counter sinking the chassis, making body mounts,installing sway bars, making a extra battery compartment part, and generally making sure everything was ready for testing. I finished everything up this morning and packed it up and took it to the post office.. Should get to my friend on thursday. I was going to insure it.. but they said if it got lost I would need a receipt to make a claim with usps. Well how the heck do you have a receipt for a custom creation??? Anyway.. took a couple last pictures of it before I sent it out.. The creator with the creation

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/meandtheevo.jpg

[Fiero_Man_121]

that looks amazing!!!!!!

[Maxx man]

video video video video

[Fiero_Man_121]

video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video

copy&paste is awsome:p

[savage24x]

video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video video

yea, copy and paste is the best

[EDS]

Long story short.. I sent the buggy to a buddy of mine who was going to test it and race it... he ended up not being able to test it.. and then it took him 3months to send it back.. thats why I haven't had any updates.. but..
I FINALLY got this buggy back into my hands. I have already started to tear it down partially so that I make the needed changes. Next week I have off from school and will be working on this. Soo this will be running in the next couple weeks. I'll post updates once progress is made.

[Maxx man]

YES!!!! Im am glad this is back up and kicking!

[Fiero_Man_121]

sweet, cant wait!!!

[Lyric]

traxxas needs to make this and they will be the biggest rc brand ever and if they make a truggy version that would be awsome but the revo is almost a truggy so sccrach that

[Fiero_Man_121]

it would be a joke imo

[EDS]

My buddy that was going to test the buggy recommend that I throw out the 2 piece upper chassis's and replace them with a single upper chassis. This is because their was way to much flex front to back and he was afraid the buggy the chassis would bend if it nose dived. So..

For the last about week or so I have slowly been making a single piece upper chassis for the buggy. Next to the main chassis this part is the largest and the most difficult to make. That's why it has taken so long. The hardest part is figuring out where the shocks need to be mounted and getting the holes aligned correctly. The process I used to make this part is I drew it out on a piece of graph paper and also drew where all the holes need to be. I then made a copy of the drawing and taped it to a piece of aluminum using packaging tape so I could see where I needed to cut. I then used a hand held jigsaw to make all the cuts. After filing and drilling the piece and re drilling holes I have finished the piece.

Now after bolting down the piece the buggy is very still and I don't even think I need to make chassis braces for it.. though I'm not positive about that yet because of how thin the main chassis is.

Mind you I still have to finish filing the edges and I also will be covering it with the same flat black vinyl that I covered the last upper chassis's with and the main chassis. In these pictures you can also see the Feigao 8xl motor with rc-monster heatsink I purchased for the buggy and my new bluebird servo.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_2165.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_2166.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_2163.jpg

Next I will be working on reworking the battery compartment and taping my saddle pack batteries together.

[Fiero_Man_121]

i have a question, why not leave it as 2 independent top decks with chassis braces coming off each side

at the least youve got to swiss cheese that top deck

[EDS]

The two independent upper decks with chassis braces coming off still flexed too much. I don't think I will be cutting up the upper deck.


Today I didn't have any homework so I was able to make further progress on the buggy. I redesigned the battery tray and decided to keep it simple. I just used some 1/4" lexan to make a "craddle"/Tray then used some tekno velcro straps I had laying around. This holds the battery in very securly and I am able to hold the buggy upside down by the battery haha
I also taped and vinyled the batteries together and I also go the upper deck covered with the vinyl too.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_2179.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_2183.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_2171.jpg

The last custom work I have to do is make a new wing mount. After that its just little stuff like filling the diffs and shocks, mounting the esc and receiver, doing some soldering, and setting up the buggy.

The buggy will be shipped out to location X next week after testing.

[Fiero_Man_121]

looks good and nnow that i look at it more it makes sense to do 1 solid upper deck. all the energy thats being transfered to the shocks wans to also go through that upper deck and if its 1 solid peice it will stay with the shocks (if any of that makes any sense that is)

and is location x my house per chance?

[EDS]

Yea that does make sense.
hmm I'm sorry to inform you but location X is not in S. Florida.. other coast... ;-)

Wednesday I filled the shocks with oil and the diffs with fluid. Yesterday I spent alot of time installing the electronics. I tried to wires the best I could. To make room for the hobbyking 100a esc I decided to stand the servo up. So I had to make lexan servo mounts and then extend the servo saver arm upwards to make for a better angle.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_2195.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_2197.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_2198.jpg

Today I glued up the tires which went horribly because the Losi Step Pin tires didn't fit the Jconcepts wheels very good. I believe the losi's use a different bead type then the wheels but I did my best.. Afterwards I charged up the battery and took it out for a test run even though I had a couple things to finish up on like the wing mount and drilling out the shock mount screws ( the ones that go thru the shocks) The test runs went surprisingly well! Everything in the transmission held up. I definatly need put the front sway bars back on because it easily traction rolled but this is also because it was on the street. I broke the shock mounts because the screws to hold the shocks on weren't in all the way and I couldn't drive it with the body on becuase I have to save the body for when its sent to location X. Thus when the buggy traction flipped it slid on the rockers and shock screws. The buggy is fast at full throttle. Everything worked great. The real test will come in the next couple of days when I take it to the track.. I will be trying to get a video of it but it probably won't be a great video because I will have to use a digital camera.

Video soon though =)

[Fiero_Man_121]

next question, why not mount the esc up top, a number of cars do have them mounted there and the 100a isnt that heavy to begin with. you could also have stacked the rx on top of the servo, a number of cars ive seen do that, my vintage trx stuff in particular just gives you a zip tie and asumes you'll figure it out :p

also, would you per chance like a molded servo mount? ive got a few nice sets off an rc10gt that i dont use and wouldnt mind letting go of a set, not trying to knock your fab skillz but if that mount fails your tester might be a tad out of luck

[EDS]

I think that mounting the esc on top of the upper deck would have been pretty ugly and would have raised the Cog. Even though standing the servo up raised the Cog slightly... I think it made for a very clean electronics install. If I would have put the esc on the top deck you would have been able to see aton of wire.. they way I have it now.. you don't see much wire.

I think my mounts will hold up just as well as a molded mount would.. The pictures don't show it but their is another servo mount on the other side of the servo. Thanks for the offer though.

[Fiero_Man_121]

well if you worried about cog, may i suggest laying the servo down and mounting the rx on top of the servo like below, im betting that rx weights like nothing and with some simple double sided tape or velcro will not affect the cog

http://i483.photobucket.com/albums/rr198/FieroMan121/Nitro%20Hawk/DSCN2173.jpg

i love picking your brain

[EDS]

If I layed down the servo I would have to mount the esc on the mudguard or on the upper chassis. Cog isn't the only thing I was worried about.. I was worried about how the neat the wiring would be. I think the way i have it is a clean set-up even though it raises the cog slightly which I'm ok with.

[EDS]

Well.. more bad luck has come with this buggy.

Location X was R/C car magazine...
About a month ago an editor emailed saying he was interested in featuring it in the magazine.. that's why I got it all fixed up and bought electronics for it so I could make it drivable for the magazine. He also asked me to write the article because he wanted in my own words. Soo ofcourse I was excited and everything was going great.. I sent the buggy and sent my article which he really liked...
This wednesday I was informed that the publisher of R/C car magazine had discontinued R/C car and the editors last day was the day after I sent the buggy. So basically....my car won't be in the magazine.. and my article won't be printed. The buggy is on its way back to me.

In the mean time.. I sent a few emails to the other magazines to see if they are interested.

This buggy has brought me a lot of bad luck.. first the guy who was going to test and race it for me couldn't and it took him for ever to send it back.. then I get an awesome offer from a magazine and then the magazine goes out of business..

Once I get the buggy back I will be testing it on the track and get some videos of it.. after that.. I think I'm going to disassemble it.. sell the parts I don't need and turn it into another project that I will actually need.

In the mean time here is some pictures of the finished buggy with out the body on.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_2216.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Traxxas%20evo8/IMG_2211.jpg

Ethan.

[EDS]

I got the buggy back a couple days ago. Decided to start making you guys some videos of it.. the first video is just me running it around the street and the yard. Once I can get to the track I will do a track test video. Sorry its a bit shaky.
Enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmIos15p24Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmIos15p24Q

[Maxx man]

it looks very nice! Looks like its a tad tipsy though.. but thats probably just me

[Fiero_Man_121]

[see post on urc]

i love the way it looks. you dont have any of that icky shocktowerness to break up the profile of the car

[EDS]

Thanks, On high traction surfaces it is abit tipsy.. maybe some tuning would help with that.

Today it was a nice sunny day in Colorado which is rare for end of November so I decided to take advantage of it.. and got out to the track. For its first time on the track and with my bad driving skills ( I just build the cars I don't race them.. yet) The track was very dusty and loose so it was sort of hard to get traction but I think the buggy did just fine.. I think that with a good driver, and some testing and tuning this could possibly be a winner. I was surprised by the durability and you can see in the video I wasn't easy on it.. at the end of the day i broke the lexan wing mount I made and a turnbuckle end but that's all.
Overall pretty impressed!

Anyway to the video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHaU_nz0I8U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHaU_nz0I8U

[Philderbeast]

Looks well balanced in the air. I think you ae right, not bashing your skills, but with the right driver, it may be a winner. Quick, nible good turn in, good balance, and flat flying. With a little practice and tuning, you could podium well with it.

[Maxx man]

Looks well balanced in the air. I think you ae right, not bashing your skills, but with the right driver, it may be a winner. Quick, nible good turn in, good balance, and flat flying. With a little practice and tuning, you could podium well with it.

I will have to agree! but I think youre better then you say you are :p

[traxxaskiller]

Why not keep it? That is an extremely unique truck and will turn heads at the track.

[EDS]

I'm glad you guys agree that it has potential in the right hands.

The reason why I wouldn't keep it is becuase I wouldn't use it.. there isn't a 1/8th electric buggy class around here. So right now I'm trying to decide between trying to find someone that would be able to race it for me or taking it apart and selling the parts I don't need and use the other parts to make a 1/10th single battery single motor revo. We will just have to see but at the moment I have to concentrate on another project since I have a tight deadline on that one.

[Maxx man]

I think if you wanted to get rid of it Id sell it as a roller or rtr, I think it will pull in a pretty penny ;)

[EDS]

This thing is finally getting into RCD! Look for it in the July issue of Rcdriver.!

[Maxx man]

SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! congrats man!

[Gwandson]

Just seen your write up looks cool as a buggy with the shocks coming out from under the windshield great job congrats.

[Maxx man]

just saw her in rcd, awesome job dude