Motor Power Ups for 1/16 Grave Digger?

[ab420]

I have the new 1/16 Grave Digger and want to add some more speed to it. I'd like to use the Power Up program to save some bucks, but this truck or motor/ESC combo is not listed in there.

What about the VXL-3M ESC and Velineon 380 Motor - is that a direct fit replacement?

[Jimmie Neutron]

Not a direct replacement.
The V380 is a great motor, the 3M ESC.... not so much.

To go with the 380 motor you would need:
7077 Gear cover/Hardware
7090 Motor Plate
7060 Motor Mount

[ab420]

Thanks for the help - I'm new to the hobby and don't understand a lot of things just yet (but I'm learning!)

How does the Power Up program work? What options do I have?

Basically, I just need to figure out what motors / ESC's will work in my truck, and are included in the Power Ups program to save some money.

[Jimmie Neutron]

Usually you can buy the Traxxas motor/ESC you want in the Market Place for about the same price as you would pay through the Power Up program. Then you still have your original motor and ESC. These prices can also be found for the patient person on eBay.

The reason I am explaining this is because I am not sure you are going to be able to trade in your 550 and XL2.5 to get what you need to do what you want.

I could be wrong though... (read my signature lol)


I say give Traxxas a call... that is the sure way to find out.


I believe the 1/10 scale V motor will bolt right up...
that motor is powered by the 3M's big brother, the 3S.

This forum has a plethora of information... all you have to do is ask!

[ab420]

Thanks again for the help. I called the local hobby shop, and they actually recommended NOT getting the 3500 because they said I'll just break tons of parts. They told me to get the 3M / 380 combo and the necessary hardware to mount it up.

Price wise, by the time I get the parts to mount it, they'd be almost the same price ($100 vs $130 with Power Up prices). I think I'd rather go with the bigger setup with the good ESC and try to "limit the throttle" (translation: hammer on it and replace parts regularly lol)

However, the 3S is pretty big, will I be able to fit it?

Also, any recommendations on batteries?

I hate the runtime of the stock setup, so I'd definitely like to boost that. Would I be good with another stock battery in a parallel setup, or should I just go for Lipo?

If I go for Lipo, should I get 2 and go parallel?

[Jimmie Neutron]

I always suggest running in parallel.
You get awesome run times and it is easier on the batteries.

There is one member that has ran the 1/10 system...
let me dig to find out who and maybe find his posts...

I run 2S 2200mah *****'s and get roughly 1 hour run times.
SPC just came out with a 2500mah 2S pack.
Those are the two I usually recommend....

Have you got a LiPo charger??
If you want/need more help with a charger/battery, please PM me.

Edit...
Found the thread:
http://traxxas.com/forums/showthread...led-in-my-MERV!

[ab420]

Thanks again, you've been extremely helpful!

I do have a LiPo charger, so that's no issue. As far as the 3500 / VXL-3s combo... I wonder if it would fit under the Grave Digger body? It looks like it was pretty close on that Merv, but he still had to chop through the body. However, the GD model is bigger in every dimension, so I might get lucky - I really don't want to chop through the body. The main reason I got this was because my 3 year old son is OBSESSED with Grave Digger, so he loves watching me drive it and loves the backpack.

[Jimmie Neutron]

I doubt you will have any issues with it fitting under the body.
As a matter of fact you could probably mount the ESC similar to this:

[ab420]

Awesome, I think I'll get the big combo - I can't ever remember getting something and saying, "Nah, too fast..."

What parts should I expect to thrash first? I have a Losi Mini SCT with 11.1v LiPo, and the outdrives look like corkscrews now after 2 battery packs lol.

[pavmentsurfer]

IMO you don't want the VXL3S combo. The motor is a 3660 series and is HUGE... the ESC is also HUGE... There are so many better choices out there that are about the same price theres really no reason to go this route unless you REALLY want waterproof, in which case you should just stick to the VXL3M system.

The Castle SCT/3800kv combo would be perfect in a summit... lots of torque and TONS of speed. Or you could go as high as the SV2/4600kv system. The Duratrax Element/3900kv combo is what I ran in my MERV and it was amazing. VERY VERY VERY fast and ran perfectly cool. It also fits excellent with no mods using the stock big block motor mount you already have. These combos all cost around $130... which is about what your going to pay for the power up anyway.

Another good option is an EZrun 35amp ESC and Tacon 3650 series motor from hobby parts. You can generally get the ESC for about $35 and the motor for about $30... then the program card for about $10. Thats a great combo.

[ab420]

I just realized I should have mentioned earlier... I MAY go 4WD in the future... would that be an issue with any of these combos?

Also, I would like to start off with 2 x stock NiMH batteries in parralel, and possibly switch to 2S Lipo later on...

[Jimmie Neutron]

4WD will just add to the traction!

2 stock batteries may feed the system... but I think it is going to shorten their life due to you pulling more (or trying) out of them than they are capable of.

[ab420]

Gotcha.
I have a LiPo charger, but it's not a dual charger. I know have to balance the cells with LiPo, so would it be a problem to charge 1 LiPo, then charge another, then run them together in parallel?

Is there any way to hook up the LiPos to charge them at the same time and balance ALL the cells?

Oh yea, the only reason I mentioned the 4WD thing, is I've seen on some sites that some ESC / motor combos are not recommended for 4WD because they draw too many amps.

[Jimmie Neutron]

Any half-decent charger can charge two LiPo's at once.

But, to answer your question; Yes it is ok to charge them separately and run them in parallel.

What is your LiPo charger?
Once I know what you have, I can match you up with the equipment to parallel charge your LiPo's at the same time.

[ab420]

Here's the charger I have:
http://www.duratrax.com/chargers/onyx/dtxp4235.html

[ab420]

Just got back from the store, went with the 380 / 3m combo, however they forgot to put in: 7077 Gear cover/Hardware

Is that needed to hook it all up?

[Jimmie Neutron]

The 380 motor will not bolt to your existing motor mount or plate.

You should be able to find a "ParaBoard" that will hook up to your charger without any issues.

[ab420]

I got the plate (7090) and mount (7060), they just forgot to put in the Traxxas 7077 Cover Gear/Motor Mount Hinge Post. I read in this thread "it's okay to drive without it," is that true?

[Jimmie Neutron]

I think the hinge post is the same... If it just the cover you are lacking just watch that debris doesn't jamb up your gears.

[ab420]

Oh, so the gear cover itself isn't necessary (but recommended), however the motor mount hinge post also comes with that and IS needed to install the motor?

[Jimmie Neutron]

The hinge pin you have might work. Try to slip the 380 motor mount over the 550 motor mount pin.

[ab420]

Thanks, I'll give that a shot. Just in case I do end up back at the hobby shop...

is there anything I should be looking into to help strengthen the truck to handle the abuse it's about to receive?

I'm curious to see how these Monster Jam replica tires are going to do with all that power. As it sits now, they are unglued with no foam (how they come stock). I'm thinking I need to foam up and glue them suckers down, or they're just going to fly off the rims eventually.

[jimbo74]

i would tape them, put foams in, and glue them

also, look into the t-bone racing full skidplate. it might detract a little from the scaleness, but it is priceless in it's strength, durability, and saving your truck from damage

[ab420]

For the t-bone skidplate, they don't have one yet for the Grave Digger, would the Summit one fit?
http://t-bone-racing.net/Brand-N-Z/T...B401-p687.html

[ab420]

I have a feeling this is going to be a thousand dollar truck by the time I'm done with it lol.

[ab420]

Alright, so I'm going to hit up the hobby store again today to pick up the 7077 (I don't really want to run without a gear cover). I also realized I have no more mounting tape, so I need to grab some of that as well. I'm going to grab some foam for the tires as well. Is there anything else I will need for this installation? Is there anything else I should be replacing while I have everything torn apart?

Also, forgot to mention, I picked up a single 25C 2500mAH LiPo yesterday - I figure I'll run one for a while and see how it is, then get the parallel connector and another one at a later date.

[ab420]

What should I use for a pinion to start out? The hobby shop gave me this:
Traxxas 3947
which I found it is for an E-Maxx, it's 17-T, 32-P... just seems way too big.

The stock pinion (from the 550) is a 23 tooth - would this work?

[Jimmie Neutron]

The 23 tooth might work fine... what spur do you have??
I run 23/50 without issues... but you have bigger tires.
Care to post a picture of the eMaxx pinion??

[ab420]

Awesome. The spur is stock - not sure what it is.

Here's how it all went down:

I WAS able to use the hinge pin from the old setup, however I (think) I had to flip it. Not really sure, there's 2 ways it can fit, and one way doesn't work, the other does. I still plan to get a gear cover, but I wanted to see if I could at least get it hooked up.


The ESC slides right into the chassis just like the stock one, so that's a major plus - no sticky tape to deal with. I find that especially helpful since I need to pull the ESC to adjust the slipper.

The batter I got is a Traxxas 2200 mAH 2C LiPo, and it just BARELY fits. I also installed a wheelie bar for the heck of it - we'll see how long that lasts.

I have never taken on anything this big before, and there was a moment when I had everything apart and looked at all the little parts everywhere, and thought, "WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING?" But I sorted it all out, thanks to all of your help!

[ab420]

I think I got a defective ESC or something... everything worked for about 10 minutes or so, the motor / ESC were completely cool, and then it just stopped. I was trying to break-in the motor, so I was just cruising around smoothly on pavement (couldn't do full throttle, because it just ripped the front wheels up. I was at 1/4 throttle most of the time. Then it just stopped (harshly too). I pulled the body off, and the ESC was blinking red - I looked that up in the manual and it looks like over-voltage protection? That doesn't make any sense at all with a single 2C LiPo. I charged the battery again, which only took a few minutes because I hardly used it. I tried it again, and it will run for about 2 seconds, the stop abruptly, and the ESC is blinking between green and red, then settles to a low powered red light, sometimes blinking. Then it randomly turns green for a few seconds, then back to to the lower power red. I tried hooking up the stock NiMh battery to see if it was the LiPo I got, but it does the same thing.

I guess I have to call the hobby shop tomorrow and see if they can swap it out, or if I'll have to go direct with Traxxas.

[Jimmie Neutron]

I agree... defective ESC.
They should swap it out at the HS.

[ab420]

I hope so, I still haven't seen what it's capable of, and it's driving me crazy!

[ab420]

I just read a bunch of posts on the forum with people that seems to have the same problem, and for them it was a dead servo...

Hmmm.... didn't see THAT one coming! I'll try unplugging the servo today and see if that makes a difference. If so... I'll just go get something better.

[ab420]

BINGO! It is DEFINITELY the servo. I unplugged it from the receiver and tried again - no issues at all. Plugged it back in - problem comes right back.

That doesn't bother me one bit, as I was expecting the servo to die anyways. Anyone have any recommendations? I've heard these two are good for Mervs, but I also have 4" monster jam tires, not sure if they'd still do the trick:
******* TGY-390DMH
******* BMS-380MAX

[Jimmie Neutron]

Glad you were able to pin it down... I sometimes forget that the stock servo can cause all kinds of electrical issues.

390... either the ******* or the BlueBird. The BB is easier to find... or so I have heard. I have two ******* 390's... so that means I get two votes for the 390, right? lol

Here is how to set it up:

390 Set Up

All stock hardware is used.
NONE of the hardware included is needed!


There are tab braces that do not allow the servo gaurd to sit flush.
IT IS OPTIONAL TO REMOVE THEM.
I have done this both ways without any adverse reactions.
Here is a picture of the braces:

The only reason this may need to be done is because of the small gap between the chassis and the servo gaurd.


You will also need to reverse the servo direction.
These are the steps to follow to do so:
(Traxxas LINK)

Hold MENU
Green Blinks

Press MENU
2 Green Blinks

Press SET
Green Blinks

Press SET
Red Blinks

Press SET
8 Green Blinks

Hold MENU
Setup Complete

[ab420]

Isn't the Traxxas link only for the 2.4GHz stuff? Sorry, I'm new to all of this... I have the TQ AM radio system (came stock) - there are buttons to reverse the directions on the remote, or are we talking about something completely different?

[Jimmie Neutron]

LINK is the 2.4 FM radio gear... just disregard that section.
I have a copy-paste sheet so I don't forget anything.... it is easy for the AM guys to reverse a servo... a little more complicated for FM guys, so I include the instructions.

[ab420]

Got a 390 metal gear Hitec servo today, installed it and it works great. This thing is fast, and a blast! It easily wheelies at any speed that I've been able to get it up to. I really have to roll into it slowly or it flips on its back - even with the wheelie bar!!! I literally have not hit full throttle once without flipping it on its back - it's just crazy fast. The motor and ESC are cool enough to touch after a full 2200mAH pack, so that's awesome. I might try moving up pinion sizes - I have a LOT of room to work with I think.

As far as the speed right now... I have a Losi Mini SCT with 11.1v LiPo (stock Xcelerion brushless motor), and the Grave Digger is definitely faster, and somehow... even handles better (that just boggles my mind!)

[Jimmie Neutron]

I did not know HiTec had a 390 servo??

[ab420]

I did not know HiTec had a 390 servo??

I'm probably wrong. I just told the hobby shop that a 390 should work, and he gave me a HiTec with metal gears and said it would work well, and it does.

Man, this thing makes me hate my Losi Mini SCT... seriously. I really don't see how this is possible, but the GD beats that thing out in every possible way. I don't even want to drive the SCT anymore lol.

I still have not foamed the tires, and I'm amazed at how well it handles on the big squishy tires. While the monster jam tires are not "great" for any specific terrain, they are good for everything I've thrown at it so far. They work amazingly well on pavement (this REALLY surprised me), they actually work pretty well in loose sand (also somewhat surprising to me). As far as grass goes - my yard is HORRIBLE... it's covered in uneven lumpy grass as well as parts of hard packed dirt, and there's a section that is all dirt with tons of big gnarly tree roots sticking up and pine needles all over... and it tears through all of it like nothing! This is one amazingly capable little truck! Once I go 4WD, I'm sure I'll be able to tear through the rough stuff even better.

On a side note - when it was stock, I could pull up to a curb and hit the throttle and do a perfect backflip.... now with the new motor... it can do a triple backflip lol.

Now... where to go from here... I'd like to spend some time toughening it up, as it does take some nasty spills (amazed it just keeps on going).