My 5lb 1/8-buggy (DBX8e)
 

One of my favorite vehicles since I got it was my Kyosho DBX. I converted to brushless and loved its performance, especially considering I could use 1/10-scale electronics and it could still keep up with 1/8 buggies. For a while now, I kept staring at it thinking "it's only 20mm or so shorter in wheelbase than a 1/8 buggy...I could make this a full 1/8 buggy ultralight". So I drew up a new chassis in CAD, but never made it due to lack of interest and it being too costly to make a one-off. Then I thought, I'll just pick up a 1/8 chassis and drill the living hell out of it to make things fit. That idea took a whole 6+ months to finally complete, which is the end results I have today (after a good 4+ hours in my garage...ay, I'm tired!).

So here's my Kyosho DBX8e extended 27mm in wheelbase for a total wheelbase of 327mm (same as a pretty long 1/8 buggy). It weighs in the realm of 5lbs with everything (I'll weigh it at a scale hopefully soon). I run a HW EZRun 60A ESC (external UBEC) with a Medusa 3300kV motor on 3s (2s for small tracks and testing)...really like this setup...extremely smooth with virtually no cogging. Currently it's geared for about 40mph on 3s (perfect at Revelations). It's never gotten hot on me except for the one time 3 of my 4 wheel bearings seized up. The donor chassis a Hot Bodies D8 4mm 7075 chassis.
It's been very durable, even at 40mph...had some horrid crashes and do fine as long as I don't hit the wheel dead on when I nose dive down...which will sometimes break an arm. The only other thing I've broken is a rear bulkhead because of 2-days straight of landing directly on the wing (yes, I'm a bad driver).
Finally, I got my DBXe to what I wanted it to be. Can't wait to get some time to hit up Rev for some on-track testing.

UPDATE: Weighed it...5lbs 2oz with 3s 3000mAh battery all ready to run!

In the pics, I tried to show the wheelbase and the stock chassis next to the extended one.

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/245/img3476.jpg
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/4599/img3477p.jpg
http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/2801/img3479x.jpg
http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/8923/img3480.jpg
http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/7751/img3478i.jpg

Updated pics...

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/4072/img3493o.jpg
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/415/img3494a.jpg
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1292/img3496n.jpg
http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/196/img3497.jpg
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/765/img3495m.jpg

Pretty cool. I like "custom" stuff. I've done some myself. Good job!

Nice project! It seems to have turned out great:nod:

Interesting rear hub setup.

what did you use for center drive shafts? I imagine the stock ones were too short.

Does the ve8 chassis have the same kickup?

Thanks guys.

Both front and rear are PBS and front and rear arms are the same which is nice as I don't have to buy different arms for parts. The rear also uses a link to adjust the toe which I prefer over toe blocks.

I used the front center driveshaft for both front and rear. It's exactly 27mm longer than the stock rear one making it perfect for the extension. Stock wheelbase was 300mm, so now it's 327mm.

I ran it quickly on my street and it runs well and smooth. Seems to be more stable also with the longer wheelbase now.

It looks great. I was planning on making a simular conversion but based on a 4x4 SC truck.

The coolest thing about the DBX VE is that awesome looking body. Make a 1 off body as cool as that and you will have the coolest car on the block.

I think a 4x4 SC would be a great base for a 1/8 buggy conversion project. It has the same advantages as the DBX8e...same size as a 1/8 buggy with half the weight.

I like the VE body too. The HB VE8 has a similar shaped body...very narrow and sleek. I hope I can find one cheap. For now, I'm just going to run the much_too_short stock DBX body (modified).

Wow that is light for an 1/8th scale. Good job on the build.;);)

5lbs...i dont think so. :nod:

What is the width at the outside of the tires? the legal width is 310 mm or 12.2 inches.
get a body mounted put in some batteries and take it to your local post office and weigh it.
When you post the results, also let us know what battery you weighed it with. My guess is with a 3s 5000 battery it will be about 7lbs even.

Overall width is 290mm. I do plan to weigh it when I have some time to go to the post office. I will use a 3s 3000mAh battery. It doesn't pull much current, so that battery lasts a decent while. I'll try to remember to time it when I'm at the track (but I always forget). The D8 chassis is heavier than the stock chassis, mainly due to the additional thickness (4mm).

I weighed it this morning.

5lbs 2oz in ready to run form!

Sweet!

wow thats light kinda!:blush: