Ordered up a new ESE kit and I am now looking for a motor/ese combo. What seems to be the hot set up for these trucks? I am willing to spend about $200.00 for a combo. I plan to run it here in AZ at Nitro Pit and Fear Farm. I am a novice to RC and have never owned an electric RC of any kind. I want something good for the money and that I wont need to upgrade anytime real soon
Anything out there that fits what I want? Thanks guys.

What class are you racing and what motors do they allow for?
Spec class? Mod? Can you run timing?

You will get alot of opinions on this but I will give you mine....

Castle MMP for the ESC. Best bang for the buck ESC that allows for future firmware upgrades and timing control. You can also run without timing control but this will give you the best of both worlds for around $125.

As for motor, depends on what your class is and track rules.
If you run spec, then you may be limited to 17.5T brushless.
If you can run timing in the ESC, I would say a 13.5T would be the best all around motor for this 2WD SC truck. If you are not allowed to run timing, then I would say 10.5 to 8.5T brushless if the class/track allow. My 17.5T with MMP running timing in Cheat Mode makes my 10.5T feel slow. I run an SC10 and XXX-SCT.

As for motor brand, lot of opinions here. I have run Novak Ballistic and Tekin. I like them both but prefer the Tekin for my use. You want the best bang for the buck, then I would say a re-manufactured Novak SS motor which can be had for $50. Comes with full warranty and even though it is not modular like the ballistic, I hear it has a better timing ring setup.

If you do go the Castle MMP route, be sure to get the CastleLink module so that you may customize the tuning on a computer OR you can get the track card but you don't have as many options. The MMP comes with a coupon to get either the CastleLink or track card for $10 direct from Castle.

Castle MMP: $125
Novak SS brushless motor: $50
CastleLink: $10

All below your budget of $200.
A Tekin RS combo will run you $250 discounted and then another $35 for the LiveWire module. LRP combo will run even more.
Anything that costs less will not have the same performance and ability to run timing in the ESC.

For that price range I would recommend a Castle Mamba Max Pro with a Murfdogg 13.5 or 17.5 depending on your tracks rules.

thanks guys. I am not aware of the track rules since I have never raced before...just getting into this electric thing. I will have to check into that. I ordered my wife and RTR Blitz and myself a ESE. Just need to order up a motor/esc combo and get a hold of another Spektrum reciever to pair up to my DX3R and I am good to go.

No idea on the rules and regulations at your local club, but my MMP has now been resigned to my spare parts box.

It's been replaced with the XeRun sensored system.
A LOT easier to drive, no cogging at all (always been a problem with my MMP's even on my 1/10th tourers) it's faster, has better software control of how much timing to advance and more importantly when, has proved more reliable (had 2 x MMP's up in smoke in the last 2 years but not 1 problem with the XeRun) and it's cheaper.

So if your local rules allow it i'd recommend he XeRun over the MMP, it's better in every single way.

thinking about going this route with the 3800kv...
http://www.castlecreations.com/produ...inder_sct.html

Great setup for the price but the motor is not sensored and the ESC does not have timing control. If your track and class allow for timing in the ESC, you want an ESC such as the MMP with timing control and a motor with a sensor port. You can run sensored motors in unsensored mode but at least you have the option to run sensored and with timing control.

My 17.5T brushless sensored motor with Castle MMP and timing will smoke the sidewinder setup.

That system is a bit much for the Blitz.

It'll work but the car will be very overpowered and a real handful to drive on any surface other than tarmac.

I rock this and it hauls ass! They're is a good thread floating around somewhere on this site too with plenty of info and feedback...

I love my Tekin RS. It is upgradeable through Tekin's website, so you always know that your ESC is up to date so you won't be buying a new ESC to stay competitive. It is definately worth the money. Save up just a touch more so you can afford it, and you will never look back. I can guaranty that! Just be sure to get the Hotwire as well, that way you can upgrade the ESC and tune it how you want it.

Tekin RS and a Novak 17.5 for stock and a 8.5 for Mod. The speed control rocks.

I have a Castle Mamba Max Pro with the Castle Link PC kit, and the Castle Link Programming card (for at the track programming without a PC), for $110 shipped. This would let you pick up the motor of your choice and still be well below your $200 price range. I used it as a backup ESC in my Blitz ESE and it has only seen a couple of race days on it. It worked flawlessly, but I'm now in the process of selling my Blitz and don't need it.

Let me know if you are interested. I'm going to post it for sale on the board in the next couple of days.

Jeff

since you don't know for sure about the rules for the tracks you'll race at, then Tekin rs and a Murfdogg 17.5. You will have an easy to drive setup, with plenty of power for someone with little experience on the track. You'll have the ability to lockout timing advance if the tracks rules require it. the larger classes in or area have been stock sc, and if you end up in mod you'll still have enough power to hang. You'll be about $250 for the set but it's well worth it.

thanks for all the info guys. Per a recommendation from some of the local racers I purchased the Castle sidewinder/neu set up I posted above. We will see how that works out.

+1 that's a very good setup. And I am not just saying that because its what I am running.......... OK Thats why I am saying it, geese!