Stampede hop-ups to this day

I decided to play around, and try the brushless thing a bit, perhaps change some other parts to non-plastic (even though the composite plastics are plastic for a reason, changing to aluminium can be done for a reason as well). I got a Xerun 5.5 Turn brushless motor and programmable speed controller, Integy alumnium steering linkages and decided to install it all in the course of two days. I cannot remember the exact date, but at least this time round I had photos.

The brushless system shocked me, the speed was unbearable, the torque enough to shred axles and gears. Thank heavens for the slipper clutch and the fact that I installed a smaller pinion (bring the speed down and torque up). I programmed the ESC to have a smooth punch-in on power to avoid the 'pede from the flipping over backwards and causing meltdowns :)

The installation of the motor was simple, drop out the Titan, and fit the brushless. I still have the titan in my cupboard and I know some day I will feel like going stock again for a while. Moving on, I had to route the power cables and put the ESC on the chassis. It didn't have screw holes like the XL5, so I used double-sided mirror tape to put it down where the XL5 was. This isn't perfect (every few months it falls off and needs new tape), but it seems to be what everyone else does. Theres also the industrial velcro option, but I cannot find the stuff around here.

With the installation completed, I realised that the molex adaptors started getting hot (to the point of melting) and that the brushless motor/esc needed severe current capable cabling and adaptors. I bought a few (overpriced at local hobby shops) Dean's connectors. This solved the issue, and current supply was smooth. The ESC is fitted with a fan for cooling, so this wasn't an issue. I don't do too much water and severely dry dusty areas, so the fan is still clean and fine. I worried about water splashes and dust on the switch though, so I snipped the fingers off some latex gloves and put the switch inside the fingers to protect it (I also did this for the capacitors on the lead). Rooibaard gave me this idea, as he uses it to protect electroncis on his Land Rover, it's a super idea.

This is pretty much all the nitty gritty of the installation. I am still not entirely happy with the double-sided tape, but will devise a solution at some point in time. Oh, I should mention that 1.8Ah batteries don't work anymore on brushless (obviously). I didn't go the LiPo route for reasons of personal safety :), but I did buy some heavier 4.6Ah and 5Ah nimh packs. They are heavy, but hardy and reliable and works great with no risk of explosions at least. The heavier weight did affect my centre of gravity a bit, and I could feel this in the cornering (and rolling it much easier), but I'm working on a plan. Here are some of the photos I took after the brushless installation (and the Integy steering linkages).

.Note the coils on the shocks are not the standard white one's. I got some progressive rate springs to experiment with handling at that point too. Forgot to mention it. Integy steering linkages and springs ordered from TowerHobbies.

And the Linkages (these have really tight sucky ball ends, so I used the standard Traxxas ball ends on the linkages). Eveything else regarding the steering is still standard.