Very happy w/tekin rx8 and novak 5.5 550!

[ChrisG23]

I finally got out to test my slash after the t-rce and motor/esc upgrades and I couldnt be happier! First off, the truck is almost impossible to flip, even on carpet. Secondly, after running 3 2s packs back to back the esc fan never even bothered to come on it was so cool. And the motor was only luke warm to the touch, and Im not even running a fan on it! The vxl would have gone into thermal shutdown no doubt! Now mind you its only 2s, and the gearing is conservative cause its a smallish track but still, very very good results. Should be a very good racing season for sure!

[El Sob]

I also have the Novak SC 5.5. How are you geared? I am geared 17/54. I have a heatsink with a fan. On 3s it stays pretty cool.

[ChrisG23]

Im 13/54. Truck just barely hits top speed on the strait. Our track is very tight, with a lot of jumps so acceleration is more important than hi speed.

[ChrisG23]

El-sob, im thinking about messing around with the timing. Do you have any input or thoughts about timing that could help? Or should I just let it be?

[El Sob]

I don't know about the.Tekin but the MMP can adjust the timing for you.

[ChrisG23]

The tekin also does timing, and you can adjust where in the rpm range it advances the timing. I just dont know how much to advance it, or where in the rpm range.

[El Sob]

I will try to do some research and find the sweet spot. I have mine on the stock setting with no extra timing from the esc. You could always try going up two degrees until you find what works best for you. If you do, let me know your results please

[ChrisG23]

I have gone on the team tekin website and looked at the settings from some of their team drivers. Now none of them were running a novak motor of course, but some of them were running the tekin 5.5 turn pro4. They were advancing their timing by as much as 85% from ~6000-20,000 rpm's. I set mine at 50% from 6k to 20k. I hope to get some track time tomorrow, but they will probably be racing at the lhs, and I dont have a transponder, so I may not be able to run. You can always change to a lower profile at the track if your custom setting proves to be too much. You can chose from your 2 custom profiles, and 5 defaults, effectively giving you 7 profiles. All this without the need to link up to hotwire.

[El Sob]

Let me know how what works best for you. It's supposed to rain here so I won't get much chance to test anything anytime soon.

[ChrisG23]

Went racing today. The truck was amazing. If i only ran the 6 minutes, the motor came down cool. If I finished the battery off, the motor would only be warm. The truck was quick but needs some adjustment. I didnt have a transponder, but I started 1st in the second qualifier, and lapped almost the entire field. Never crashed once, it was epic. The winner had 24 laps so I had at least that. I think i need to swap out the 54 spur for the 52. Might add a bit more timing.

[El Sob]

It sounds like it did you quite well! So you lapped everyone? Sounds like you have a winning setup! What batteries were you using? I am happy you have had such success with your setup

[ChrisG23]

I just had a very clean run. Started with the lead, and kept it rubber side down.

I am using gens ace 30c 4000's. They have a lot of zip for the first 3 minutes, then they soften up just ever so slightly. Most people wouldnt even notice. Over all, I am happy with them. If I go to buy more, I might try 40c.

[El Sob]

Ok, cool. I am a Venom man. If they are working for you, by all means continue doing what's winning you races

[big_RON]

Hey ChrisG and El Sob, I've been doing a good bit of research and I'd love to invest in either the RX8/pro4 or the RX8/Novak 5.5. Before I make any rash decisions I wanted to be sure that I know which 5.5 you're referring to. Below are two links - both have Novak part number 3505. Is this the correct motor?

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXZUJ5&P=7
http://www.teamnovak.com/products/br...550/index.html

The Novak "retail price" of $219 had be pretty intimidated at first but then I realized it was $90 cheaper on Tower! haha

[El Sob]

The link from Towerhobbies is the exact motor that I have. That is a great little motor! You will be happy with it. Just remember that you have to solder the wires onto the can. I think you will be very happy with it.

[sbinqnz]

i have a novak 4.5t 550 wit 17/50 gearin

[sbinqnz]

i like to use Thunderpower LiPo 2s n 3s 5300mah 65c
alot of money but the power is dere n great run time....

[crusey]

You run the Novak 4.5t geared for a theoretical 57 mph on 2s and it does not get hot ?

I find that hard to believe, that would be a super motor

Novak recommends 13/54 gearing for 40 mph

Cheers

[big_RON]

The link from Towerhobbies is the exact motor that I have. That is a great little motor! You will be happy with it. Just remember that you have to solder the wires onto the can. I think you will be very happy with it.

Thanks El Sob, I'm dying to get the RX8 and this Novak 5.5! I just need a way to get it past my wife without her wanting to kill me!

[lvereen001]

I am new need a new motor does this work with the stock slash esc and will it fit in the truck with no mods.

[big_RON]

From what I've read on other threads this motor does work with the Velineon ESC but it won't perform nearly as well as it is meant to. As far as fit goes, I'm pretty sure that you will have to move some stuff around because the can is longer than the stock 3500.

[crusey]

Stock ESC "should" be able to run the motor

Some have had success but many have failed

Problem is the fixed amount of timing added that cannot be changed (15 degrees)

Be careful with any mechanical timing (on the motor can) and gear conservatively if you plan to give it a shot

Cheers

[El Sob]

That is correct Ron! You need to buy the Stampede rx box and relocate it to the front of the chassis. Make sure you have the sensor wire all the way into the port on the VXL esc.

[big_RON]

Oh yeah... I've heard people talking about the Stampede RX box mod and it looks a lot cleaner on the front end. Is this the correct box?

http://www.rcplanet.com/Traxxas_Reci..._p/tra3628.htm

[sbinqnz]

i have a double fan on my motor n a alum motor mount, so far it run good

[crusey]

So you are running at 57 mph on 2s with your current gearing ?

Cheers

[sbinqnz]

i dont kno how fast my truck is running at dis time, but dis is the set up im workin wit ....

[sbinqnz]

i dont kno how fast my truck is running at dis time, but dis is the set up im workin wit ....

[El Sob]

Oh yeah... I've heard people talking about the Stampede RX box mod and it looks a lot cleaner on the front end. Is this the correct box?

http://www.rcplanet.com/Traxxas_Reci..._p/tra3628.htm

That is it! I don't remember it being that expensive. I have it on my first truck. Since I went with the Novak and the stock esc.

[Brap]

I have been looking into a new ESC and motor combo for a few weeks now. I've seen a lot of people with good things to say about the Tekin RX8 ESC and the Novak motors, on here and other sites. When I do a search for this ESC, though, it comes up as a 1/8 scale system. Am I looking at the correct item? I have almost decided that the setup discussed in this thread is what I will ultimately go with, but I would like to make sure I will end up with something I can use. Thanks.

[big_RON]

You're looking at the right one. From what I can tell the RX8 only comes in one model. It got it's start as a 1/8 scale buggy sensored ESC mainly to be mated with the T8 motors. I think people started trying it with Tekin's pro4 1/10 scale SC motors and it later evolved into the RX8 and Novak 5.5 combo that we're talking about here. I believe its as popular as it is due to the tunability, small size and ultimatly high C rating that it can handle and dish out to your motor.

[Brap]

Thanks big Ron! Wow, they sure are proud of it! I was hoping I was looking at the wrong one and there was one that was a lot cheaper. May have to rethink things. I don't think the wife will let me get away with quite that much

[big_RON]

haha, I know exactly what you mean, My wife will kill me! If you're a member of the super saver club at Towerhobbies.com you can get $30 right off the top with free shipping. Or its listed for $175 at TheBarnFloor.

http://thebarnfloor.com/catalog/prod...oducts_id=2640

[Brap]

Thanks again. Maybe I can get it by as an anniversary present!