ya know- that sounds good (7 cell) how can I get a hold of you via e? Also would it be better to use Deans or the Traxxas connectors? I have EOS 5i charger w/ adapter for Deans. My brain is senile--what about gearing? You have access at that?

can you pm to me?

yeh ill shoot you a pm in a little bit. i actually use that same charger and it does my DTX 4200s in about 30 minutes or so... so those 5000s would be good in probly 45 to an hour. and considering that teh truck(vxl right?) and the battery both come with TRX connectors, it would probly be cheaper to get an adaptor for the charger than to switch all the plugs. for gearing you could run about a 26/86 or so? on 3s i run a 30/84(old model gearing and all) so somethign in that range would probly be good. maybe run a 24 or 25 pinion. any of those would work fine.

where could I get an adapter? Writeup in rccaraction says it comes w/ 19T or 25T "speed pinion" and gear ratin 4.53:2 primary; 2.72:1 internal. VXL all the way.

thinking of lipo too: what are you running? To give you some idea of what I usually run: Mini cooper w/7.4 4000 LiPo (Maxamps), GRP's, stock radio

you could use that lipo in the truck just fine. i run a maxamps 5k 3s lipo and its just obsurd. if you have the lipo already, use it. that will actually work really well in it. give you good 40-45mph probly with the 25/86 gearing. that is basically what you would get with the 7 cell venom as well so... and with a stampede you dont even know what to do at those speeds other than go straight.

and to be honest with you, if your not going to be running on seriously rough spots, which with that power you wont(aka you cant), i would recomend going with a rustler instead. trust me i love my stampede. but i would take a rustler over it just because its more stable, faster, and better handling. plus everything will run cooler

to be honest maxamps batteries are awsome. you don't have to get lipos from them. they sell nimh packs as well. i just got their 4700 pack and its awsome. now i'm going to order the 4700 8 cell pack from them for speed runs. i don't wanna go lipo due the hassel they are.

they arent much hassel. honestly they are as easy if not easier than nimh. just mroe expensive. but last longer. get them to build you a 9 cell. or get the rcdemon 9 cell pack. i made my own 9 cell and topped at 61 with my pede. with a 3s lipo i topped at 68(cause of weight difference and the higher mAh and slightly higher voltage). not quite the same torque, so you do have to gear down a tad bit, but its still fast as crap with wheelies on demand. so if you dont want the expensive lipos, go with a 9 cell. almost as fast, almost as much punch. and heavier so the wheels stay down better.

been looking at the rustler as well mostly cuz it sits lower and(maybe) a little easier to keep all four on the ground.
Thanks for all the info though- i really like my Mini; it is a clone from rccaraction's super suzuki w/ a Mini lid. was mostly looking for something off road and these 2 caught my eye. i know they both fly (w/ a good batt setup)! Thanks again!

http://www.maxamps.com/MA-4700-9cell-FlatHump.htm

http://cgi.ebay.com/VXL-9cell-4500ma...QQcmdZViewItem

the battery i built was speced off both of those. i used 9 4200 trinity cells with deans wires and connectors. either of those batteries are nicely built and will make a VXL scream like no other. you can say bye bye to most mamba systems. i MIGHT be able to get batteries made if you prepay. possibly if you are a sure pay afterwards. couldnt tell you price though. and cant garuntee that i can get them

yeh when you said lipo and mini i instantly got that you mimiked the "Swift" project. the rustler is no easier keeping the wheels on the ground on launch. BUT it is near impossible to flip sideways, where the stampede will roll anywhere and with any slight turn with speed. wheelie bar recomended even on 6 cells. and needed for anything more. if you have any questions or need any help chances are i can answer it or can find an answer for it. ive been driving pedes and rustlers since they first came out. got the nitro the first year it was released. and electric second year they were out.

yep i cloned the Swift with a Mini shell, 2s Lipo, and the rest of the goodies. i can imagine it would be much easier to flip the Stampede and I will keep Maxamps in mind. They helped me with the Mini and did me right- those guys know what's hot and what's not.
9 cells might way too much power for what i could ever use and yep, i think you would blow the doors off my 7700 Mamba. Thanks for all the info- once i can come up with the extra $$$ to buy, you have given me some GREAT ideas!

got a ? about the Rustler VXL: Batt and connector are Traxxas type-could they be replaced with Deans? advantage? disadvantage?

yes it can. very simple too. there is no advantage or disatvantage. the only difference between a deans a a TRX is the color and size. a TRX is a deans in a suit. haha. if everything you have runs deans, than swap it out.