I am going to start racing short course, either mod or stock. I h a few questions regarding brushless motors.

First off, I found a Novak Havok 8.5 motor..how is this different then the SS motor?

Secondly, what is the main difference between the Ballistic Racing 8.5 540 size motor and the Novak SS pro 8.5?

What would be better for short course?

We currently recommend our Ballistic 540 motors for 2WD short course and our Ballistic 550s for 4x4 trucks. We believe that the 550s (more powerful) hold up better in the heavier vehicles. The 550s also have a beefier 5mm rotor shaft. Our Ballistics are unique because they are completely re-buildable, so motors never have to be returned for service. Also, with the installation of a different wound stator, you have a new motor.

The performance of our older motors---HVs, Velocities. SS Pros, Spec, etc---is much the same as the new Ballistics. All spec motors are built to ROAR specifications, so there can be very little difference in performance. Before you decide on a motor, find out what wind is specified in your locale for SC racing.

Ahh ok, so the ballistics are not faster or stronger, just rebuildable.

So the Havok 8.5 is exactly the same as the ss 8.5?

All of our 540 size 8.5T motors have the same performance---they are all built according to the original ROAR specs for sensored motors.

If it came with the Havoc it might be, if you have one of the OLD EX series 8.5 motors then it may not be the same as the SS. I believe the EX motors had a bonded rotor and all the new motors from Novak have a Sintered rotor. Bonded tends to run hotter and you can't gear them the same as a Sintered.

Novak Two may confirm...

Yes. I just posted this same info about the old EX motors in another thread....Great minds, and all... The EX motors were never advised for racing, but customers wanted to race them.

We stopped using the old, original, bonded rotors years ago (discontinuing the EX motor line completely). The bonded magnetic material did not hold up in a racing environment.

Novak Two, to better answer his question. If it's an EX 8.5 that came with a Havoc would it have a bonded or sintered rotor? Did any of the EX 8.5's come with a sintered rotor?

Our Havoc escs were never offered in systems with the old EX motor--discontinued years ago. The EX motors were paired with the XBR---also discontinued.

Thanks, now we all know.

Sometimes, I think that I know more than I know....

This is the motor I was questioning about. Is this a good motor?

Yes. We offer the SS Pro 8.5 motors RMF in our store.