Committed88

Ok so I am thinking that I will take the advice everyone has been telling me and just get the Novak Brushless system. So what I am interested in now is:

How long will the motor actually last before a replacement/cleaning is required?

How fast can a brushless actually go... in terms of KPH/MPH (I know... no one really checks... but just give me an estimate or compare it with turns in regular motors. For example: the brushless is comparable to a 10t single wound motor.)?

And does the ESC (Super Sport) plug into a Futuba J connector slot?

Thanks for the help... When I get my ride finally ready to lay down some rubber (Team TC3) I will have all of you to thank.

Committed88

This might seem silly but I don't really now... brushless systems are allowed in racing right? I mean if I take it to the track and want to compete, I can enter right? Or would that be a negative since the brushless has no set RPM setting?

clinttredway

iTrader: (8)

You will most likely have to run in the MOD class.

futureal

Whether or not you can run will typically be up to the track you are racing at, different tracks have different rules. As he said, you would be placed in the Modified class where there are no motor rules, which is also where the best drivers typically race -- definitely not the best place to learn how to race! More speed is usually a recipe for broken parts.

However, there is no better motor for just having fun than a brushless...

Java1970

The reviews and tests done say that the motor will last a long time, longer than normal motors, before servicing, let alone replacing. As for speed, I have the 4300 Stock system and it's just a tic slower than my 9X2 which I have paced at about 55 in the straights at top end, with traditional gearing (I definately have room to go up in teeth). As for racing, unless they have a "sportsman" class that only allows the brushless motors with the limited settings on, I would say it falls under the mod class, and that's only if they allow brushless in the mod class!

WC

iTrader: (28)

I have had the SS5800 for nearly a year now (wow!), and it is
still working like when I first got it. Racing rules still don't allow
them in our local racing, but some other clubs will let them run
at club racedays. It is definitely a mod motor citizen.

Brushless have no moving parts that can wear out other
than the 2 shaft bearings... which I haven't even bothered
oiling so far. (Have resisted all temptation to open the thing.)

Mine has seen at least 10-15 hrs usage (200 packs?) all of it in
4WD touring car. As its not a raceday, the Novak gets used
*continuously*, often back-to-back pack swaps without
letting the tyres cool down.

Its also been asked to do odd things... like carry an onboard cam
(ie 2kg car) and has been to the velodrome where it clocked
74km/h and held that speed for 4+ mins. Again it was running
in back-to-back races, stopping only for pack swaps.

I have tried running overgeared to buggery, the ESC has gotten
very hot but it has never shutdown on me. (Yes it was a test.)

Novak also runs more efficient than brushed. The velodrome run
saw many dumping at the 3:30-4:00 mark, but the BL ran 4:30
and I don't even have 'good' batts.



On our local track, the SS5800 can keep up with the mod boys
at the infield but loses a few lengths on the straight. The mod
fellas run 8-9t; BL has superior torque. At this level, driving skill
is more important than equipment ie you can buy equipment.
Just because you have a BL don't mean you know how to drive.



If you are a newbie to racing, it is unlikely that a responsible
club will allow you to race in mod regardless of what car you have.
If you don't know how to drive you will cause too much trouble
to a mod race.

I would suggest starting in the stock or novice classes; it is a
good idea to use what motor they run there. Motor/ESC is only
overall a cheap part of racing.

Committed88

While racing will eventually become important to me, right now the thing that is most important is that I am able to have fun. I've decided to get one.... I know I am new to the RC scene, but I have been to the track and I can hang quite well. Must be the years of video games.... :-)

I don't think I will do anything official for a while. Maybe just go to the track for a half a day, and ask people to race me. You know a 1 on 1 race. Just to get use to it. That way with only one other car on the track, chances of "screwing" something up would be at a minimum, and would give all those "pros" out there a chance to strut there stuff.

Thanks once again for the info... if anybody else has anymore stats, I am totally interested. Thanks in advance!