Tag: under the hood

Under the hood with a new class, 1/8 "Lite" E Buggy

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A new class is beginning to surface at tracks all around the world. The class is being dubbed the “1/8 Pro Lite” class in most cases. What’s a “1/8 Pro Lite” buggy? It’s a new class that is using 4wd SC electronics or smaller power plants that don’t carry the immense power the 1/8 Electric buggy class has come to be known by.  There are no official rules at the moment but some general rules are being passed around from track to track.  In this “Under the Hood” I take you into my own Pro Lite e-buggy build up.

I started with a fresh TLR Ten SCTE 2.0 SC truck kit. That paired with the new MIP Pro 8 Superlite e buggy kit would be the foundation of my build. MIP was the first to develop a purpose built conversion kit for a 4wd SC truck to convert to this new Pro Lite class. I won’t bore you with the standard build up and “tips” you’re used to seeing.

The build starts off with the front steering assembly and front diff. Aside from the standard diff build I chose to install the MIP Super Diff kits in all 3 diffs. They include new hardened cross pins, washers and hardened cross pin bushings that help improve the diff smoothness. I chose to drop in the MIP steering upgrade kit that comes with titanium steering links and new rod ends. They add a bit more steering throw and allow for more bump steer adjustment options. Protek RC makes one of the nicer shock/rod end tools out there. Take advantage of it’s useful rod end guide when building your kit!

In the steering I did upgrade the steering posts to the lightened blue aluminum MIP units(not shown). I had a bit of a time seating the outer diff bearings onto the diff housing. A trick I was shown was to use the TLR 17mm nut wrench which has a whole in it, to act as a “press” tool. Pretty slick.

Again more “normal” build steps like the front suspension pieces, etc. With the MIP Pro8 Superlite kit you do get some nice 17mm hub adapters and their unique lock nuts for the kit. Note there are 2 different widths in the kit, 5.5s in front, 8.0s in rear.

Next up was the center diff which includes the upgraded MIP Puck Drive system. I also chose to use the MIP 41T spur gear since I’ve had good success with them and find them a bit quieter than stock.

I chose the Tekin T8i in 1950kv for my build since I plan on using a Protek 4s 3500mah pack.

The Protek pack is the same size as a standard 2s pack so it’s a direct drop into the factory battery mount! Sweet!
I dropped in my custom painted Tekin Rx8 Gen2 and KO Propo radio equipment. My Tekin Rx8 Gen2 esc gives me an HV BEC output allowing me to get maximum performance from the KO Response HV Servo.
As you cans see in the pictures my car is ready for some “setup” on the bench in preparation to run. I’m using the DE Racing setup wheels and chose to use a JConcepts Punisher wing which comes with an optional gurney flap for tuning.  I managed to get lucky with this setup in the end as my SikLidz custom painted body from my other kit drops right on after a quick “adjustment” to the stock nerf bar mounts on the side guards.
Matt Olson from MIP put in a hard charge at the CRCRC Midwest champs with his MIP Pro 8 buggy kit taking 3rd overall running nearly the exact same setup you see here. Note: Tekin dominated the 1/8 E Buggy class taking all 3 podium positions.
Ready to hit the track with tires, battery, 2742 grams!
So what do you think of this new emerging class? Hit us up on Facebook, Twitter or Google + to talk it out!
Randy Pike
Factory MIP Pro8 Build Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH1bAjyVToI