I caught a really impossible to turn down deal on a H8 ST and thats what I'm realizing - its going to need just about everything to be what I want it to be -as reliable as my Vendetta buggy. I think only thing that will be used from the stock H8 ST will be the wheels! After running it for a while stock, its just needs sooo much help. I got it with 8 cells saddle pacs so I never used the AA saddle pacs and in only a few runs, the strg knucks are loose and its hard to control.
H8 parts are avail thru ultimate hobbies, at least stock stuff. H8 ST Hop ups may past their prime over here, but still avail from several shops in Hong Kong. So for me, this wasn't a parts issue.
Bought a used Vendetta ST with a drive train in worse shape than I had hoped, but it will kill the H8 ST hands down. My BL Vendetta buggy is so much better than either right now, there's no comparison. This is where I'm going with my 'Detta ST. The H8 ST may sit in the box for a long time.
I consistently am faster with my Vendetta ST than any RC 18. I have run my ST against Vendetta buggy, RC 18T, and 18B. I have no issues beating them when they have equal power. ST is very stable and the different front end is much better than the buggy version. I replaced the wheel screws with 4/40 cap head bolts and have never had loose wheels. I run ST stock no aluminum aftermarket and even stock diffs.
Thanks for the replies everyone! I think the Vendetta is going to be exactly what we want.. we're looking for something to "race" non-seriously and stay as stock as possible.
Does anyone know if the stock ESC (ESC5000) will handle 7.4v lipos? It says rated input up to 7.2v but I'm figuring that's because it came out before lipos were common. I know it doesn't have an LVC but we would like to use lipos if that's an option.
I apologize for the 'blanket statement' but I guess it's just where I race, any of the top modified Vendetta's are not any faster around the track than my 18T. I have a lower kVh motor than most and two of them run LiPo's while I am still running NiMh, and I would say they are as talented if not more talented than me in terms of driving skill.
But go with the Vendetta if you plan to race offroad!
Thanks for the replies everyone! I think the Vendetta is going to be exactly what we want.. we're looking for something to "race" non-seriously and stay as stock as possible.
Does anyone know if the stock ESC (ESC5000) will handle 7.4v lipos? It says rated input up to 7.2v but I'm figuring that's because it came out before lipos were common. I know it doesn't have an LVC but we would like to use lipos if that's an option.
The ESC5000 is pretty much trash. If it works for a month or two, kudos, but other than that it's asking a little much. I would not advise running a lipo through the stock speedo either.
If you're planning on mostly bashing with a little racing, you might want to consider the Vendetta ST. It has slightly better electronics and a better front suspension.
The stock tires on either the buggy or the ST will not last long - I went BL with my buggy the day I got it and fragged the tires in less that 30min. The used ST I got has only several hrs on it and they stock tires are gone - I've just finished replacing.
Don't let the buggy front end be a prob - there's a pillow ball conversion for it (converted mine last month) that makes it the same as the ST and eliminates the weak upper arms. Conversion also includes new plastic cvds that are upgraded to use wheel studs and wheel nuts instead of those awful wood screw things that hold the wheels on and either strip or back out and let you lose a wheel.
One other tip - if you're going to stay with the stock cvds, CA the drive pins - in hot weather you'll start losing them when the plastic gets a little warm.
The stock tires on either the buggy or the ST will not last long - I went BL with my buggy the day I got it and fragged the tires in less that 30min. The used ST I got has only several hrs on it and they stock tires are gone - I've just finished replacing.
Just a little tip ------ amping up the power to BL will frag the tires on ANYTHING.
Getting "several hours" is pretty much normal on anything too.
The ESC5000 is pretty much trash. If it works for a month or two, kudos, but other than that it's asking a little much. I would not advise running a lipo through the stock speedo either.
If you're planning on mostly bashing with a little racing, you might want to consider the Vendetta ST. It has slightly better electronics and a better front suspension.
I'm with Dieselpower, as with most RTRs the stock ESCs that come with these are pretty much junk and most people that have them replace them with a better unit when they bite the dust. The Novak XRS is a good heavyduty relatively inexpensive upgrade that should easily handle all the power you want to dish out. I have Micro GTs in mine and they do fine on LiPOs.
My Vendetta ST ESC lasted me less then a week because I was driving at my friends house racing his pede and he hhit me and I did a cartwheel for about 25 feet in to a creek... I got a Tazer 12T to replace it.
My Vendetta ST ESC lasted me less then a week because I was driving at my friends house racing his pede and he hhit me and I did a cartwheel for about 25 feet in to a creek... I got a Tazer 12T to replace it.
So was that the ESC's fault..............???
And what are you going to replace the tazer with next time you go creek diving?
Just a little tip ------ amping up the power to BL will frag the tires on ANYTHING.
Getting "several hours" is pretty much normal on anything too.
I guess you've never owned anything Xray? My M18MT and M18 both were BLs from the start and both are still running the stock treads well over year. Mamba 5400 in the M18MT and Tekin6800 in the M18.
I wasn't whining about it, just was unexpected that I had to have fresh tires if I wanted to run more than a few times the first day. The stock Vendetta buggy or ST tires are close to paper thin.
I've only tried teh stock esc in my MQ - it lasted about a wk using gp1100s and then went. XRS never had/caused any problems and was still running fine when I changed to brushless.
I guess you've never owned anything Xray? My M18MT and M18 both were BLs from the start and both are still running the stock treads well over year. Mamba 5400 in the M18MT and Tekin6800 in the M18.
I wasn't whining about it, just was unexpected that I had to have fresh tires if I wanted to run more than a few times the first day. The stock Vendetta buggy or ST tires are close to paper thin.
I've only tried teh stock esc in my MQ - it lasted about a wk using gp1100s and then went. XRS never had/caused any problems and was still running fine when I changed to brushless.
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