Yea, brake bias and additional braking at low speeds was what I was looking for while trying mechanical brakes. Running 5K center diff fluid, I didn't realize just how balanced the brake bias was (with ESC brakes) for my driving style until I put the mechanical brakes on. While I had the mechanical brakes on, I did get a chance to adjust the bias through the range of more front to more rear. In the end I did get it to feel very similar (in bias) to that of the ESC brakes. What was off was the timing of the brakes and the amount of brakes. They were definitely stronger at lower speeds. So much so that upon entering pit lane to come in off a practice run, as I slowed down, I applied more brake (as I do with the ESC brakes as it slows the car down). This resulted in full lock flipping the car over from the front brakes grabbing hard. Was funny to watch. Slow motion "endo" in the way it went down.

And as Kevin mentioned, the added weight was of concern. For that day at the races, I didn't have enough time to remove the mechanical brakes when I decided to not use them. I simply disabled them from the radio and used the ESC brakes. The additional weight of the servo and hardware was quite noticeable. Something that could be tuned around, but it changed the way the car worked.

So not ready to completely give up on it. When I watch some of the guys that run both nitro and electric buggy, there seem to be more times than not that the nitro lap times are just slightly faster (at least at our track). Makes you wonder if the free-wheeling drive train (from a clutch) is a part of that equation. That and the already mentioned brake bias option.

Jim

I think when thinking of added weight f the brake setup, keep in mind that the vehicle is balanced when you have the servo weight in the pod there from what I recall.

Maybe run a slightly smaller lipo to offset the weight of the servo. I only run a 5000mah smc and it seems to work everywhere I race. Unless the extra draw of the servo would be too much by the end of the race.

it all depends on what components are being used.

Indeed. With my Tekin stuff and GensAce 5300mAh soft pack, I'm close to balanced both left and right and front to back. When adding the brake servo and mechanics, I am obviously adding weight left and rear.

The article by Tekno (below) talks about getting this balance. For me, it may require getting a slightly lighter battery if I wanted to counter the left/right imbalance from the added weight of the brakes/servo. Front to rear would still be slightly affected though. Would just be a matter of adjusting the suspension to accommodate the additional weight (springs, shock positions, roll centers, etc.)

http://www.teknorc.com/2012/07/03/si...cale-electric/

I am sure you have thought about it, but if the mech brakes don't work out for you, you can try some Push in the ESC. I have a little Push added so it will "freewheel" like a nitro around the corners. I am not good enough to really tell if it makes a difference, but at least mentally it does.

I had tested push for a while when i ran the ve8 with mech brakes. It worked for the high speed corners. However like esc brakes it was dependent on the speed that you entered so it wasn't really consistant.

We're is everybody getting these 6 by 1.5 pistons?

We, or at least I am making them from Tekno 8 hole pistons. I use a soldering iron to seal off 2 holes and drill the rest out.

Edit: sorry.. 8x1.3 front 8x1.2 rear, straight kyo pistons imo are the best mix.. buggy is awesome, mistakes are usually my own. Just make sure you have the right tires and compound for your track.

Ok so you seal off two holes, then what? You drill them with 1.5 mm drill bit

6x1.3 and 6x1.2 Kyoshos?

or

8x1.3 and 8x1.2 Kyoshos?

A quick local series report. In eBuggy Lite I took home the win, and another local fast guy took 2nd in the series with my original EB48, and a Tekno converted Kyosho driven by the owner rounded out the series podium. Despite missing a week of racing due to our anniversary, and having mysterious electronics heat issues (battery was the problem), I managed to take 2nd in the series for 4wd SC with some great battles (1 lasted most of the race, never more than a turn apart), and my wife took 6th out of a field of 18.

Our next larger race should be the final race of the NCSOS series at Rattlesnake Raceway. Hope to see some folks there.

Seal off 2 of the 8 holes then drill the six unsealed holes with a 1.5 mm drill bit.

I just buy the Kyosho 6 hole pistons and drill them out to 1.5mm. Easier for me as I probably would just mess up the Tekno pistons.

Gonna set those up on my EB48, how much different should oils be set to than the SCT410?