1fastdude

iTrader: (16)

Just out of curiosity. how many VTA racers have used or seen someone use the 27 turn brushed motors?
What are the most popular combinations:

27t brushed
17.5 4 cell
21.5 Lipo

trackdesigner71

iTrader: (6)

THought Id mention this here since I know there are guys who still run 27T motors:

I have a motor case with 8 or 9 motors in it. I'm planning on selling the motors either separately or in one big lot. This would be great for anyone who wants to get into VTA racing. I'll have more information by the end of the weekend)

Kevin K

iTrader: (32)

Eli....I have raced it that way in the past and IMHO the 27t 4cell combo can be fast if not the fastest combo. But it requires all the work to keep the motor in top shape. 21.5 lipo is the next best option speed wise and there is no maintenance required. If you want to do all the work then feel free to run 27t it will be quick....unless you are on like a 110ft plus straight track then the brushless motors will pull that biger gear more.

bigemike

iTrader: (36)

I know at the Gate Mike collins ran 27t 4 cell, and he was as quick as anyone. the 4 cell 17.5 seems to be the slowest of the options.

snoopyrc

iTrader: (2)

I still think you can win with any of the combinations. I think the Lipo is the easiest to be quick with. Thats why you see so many people that are swearing by it. A 17.5 will pull a 27T if the 27t needs brushes or gets tired by any other means, like the comm, or magnets.

liljohn1064

iTrader: (17)

I have a 17.5 Brushless and can't hold a candle to either the 27 turn or 21.5, they are over 2 seconds a lap faster. I'm going 21.5 and not looking back. I'll box the 17.5 and hope for a stock touring class or something else to start.

UltegraSTI

iTrader: (20)

if ur 2sec/lap off, u need to look at your car, ur equip, or ur driving. b/c somethin isnt right. the 21.5 has a couple tenths of the other 2. especially after the 1st few laps and the 'nimh punch' wears off.

look at the east coast shootout results from last mth. it was clear, 21.5 or go home. whether ur sponsored or not.

R

1fastdude

iTrader: (16)

What about the preferred body and why.

HPI
PARMA
Pegasus

speedsterblade

I prefer the HPI shells. Better details/looks/shape and maybe a thicker from what I've heard...definitely look better IMO..I haven't tried nothing but HPIs...

Bolink has NEW molds! may be worth looking into...if looking for old mucsle shells. I saw a old corvette, looked good...NOT vta legal I know but was much better looking than the previous bolink vette shells.

1fastdude

iTrader: (16)

Where are the results? link ??

liljohn1064

iTrader: (17)

I think I went the wrong way with gearing for the 17.5. I should be going up in pinions instead of down and lowering the FDR and relying on the torque of the motor instead of trying to increase RPMs to pull me through the corners. My son's car is exactly the same chassis, but very different driving styles (he doesn't know what an apex is no matter how many times I teach him) and the cars still turn the same lap times roughly. They look real stable, accelerate well, corner without push or oversteer and don't spin out when the throttle comes back up. They have just enough roll tuned into it so they don't flip or go 2 wheeling.

Regardless, you're right, 21.5 is the right way to go and is the weakest link (other than my driving). I don't expect it solve all my problems.

Current setup:

2 large hole shock pistons front and rear, 50 wt oil.
Associated green springs rear
Associated purple springs front
rear shocks leaned in at about 45 deg. (last hole)
front shocks leaned in at about 40 deg. (middle hole)
ride height 6 mm fully loaded.
droop, 6 mm below ride height front, 5 below back
font toe 0 deg
rear toe 2.5
-1 camber front and rear
caster might be 1 deg front and rear, but is probably neutral

This is extremely stable for me, but I could go softer on the front springs if I start to traction roll.

squarehead

iTrader: (75)

I have run all three formats in testing and race conditions. If you are 2 seconds a lap slower with your 17.5, it's not because of the motor. There is a reason that the rules are the way they are, and many hours and laps of testing produced them. The 17.5 is not perfect, but it might only be off by a tenth a lap to a strong brushed motor that is constantly maintained—and it will definitely be stronger at the end of 8 minutes.

All three motor options are viable and capable of winning anywhere. Most Trans Am fanatics (including myself) choose the 21.5/LiPo route for it's zero-maintenance and ultimately most consistent performance. I like knowing that at the end of 8 minutes, my car is the EXACT speed and power as the way it left the starting line.

Being off 2 seconds a lap is not because of your motor choice. There is absolutely no blame to be laid there.

robk

iTrader: (22)

I tend to think 21.5 winds up being "fastest" because people's cars are not as good as they could be. The 21.5 with a gear ratio that produces a lot of torque will move a car that is not optimally setup much better than a 17.5 or 27t. You are relying on rpm with the last 2 motors. If the car is scrubbing speed in the corner, forget it. I could see my car was definitely not optimal at my last race, and the two guys who went 1-2 are good Tamiya silver can racers who signed on my forehead. Both cars rolled through the corner very well.

snoopyrc

iTrader: (2)

I guess I didnt say it right, but I still think you can win with any of them. Its just that the 21.5/Lipo is the easiest for most people.

liljohn1064

iTrader: (17)

I agree, its definitely gearing and my driving. I'm working on both at this point. The driving is by far easier to get better at currently. So much room for improvement. I've only run one event and have about 4 hours of practice with the VTA setup. I'm hooked though.

Which way in testing did you go with the 17.5 gearing? Did you go to a 3.4 for the torque or to the smaller pinion for the RPMs? I'm thinking there is so much torque there I should gear it 3.4 or higher, maybe 3.3 or 3.2. I'll need to pick up pinions from 53 to 55 if that's the case. My biggest is a 52 putting me at a 3.484 FDR. This is fun, makes my brain work.