MERV Motors!!!

[ArmySSG]

So you guys have inspired me to start looking at a new motor,Esc combo... But first I have to understand the lingo...

Big Block- reference to 1/10 scale motor in the mini revo?

Also, what all would I need to do the swap aside from the motor and esc? I'm assuming I'd need the bigger motor mount and some different gears but is there anything else ? And is the a website that has a consolidated list for purchase? If not can you guys drop the list and where to buy info here, I feel like I'm falling behind the power curve lol ... Oh yea only looking for 50mph, and off road speed 40mph suggestions?

[Mossie]

with a BB i sug.

you change the driveshafts to steel ones (incl the center shaft)

for BB choise i say : depents on what you want with it and how much money you want to spend

most common are the 540 ones

[Redsawacs]

the Sky is the limit on this request.

3s lipo on stock motor will get you close. 50 mph achieved with dual nimh batteries and gearing - per the manual

So many people have completed this....so many different ways. search the threads and find a build you like best.

I will leave you with this.....

"The Hobby is trial and error along with TONS of research! Nothing fun comes easy in R/C"

[ArmySSG]

Thanks guys

[Petertje60]

To upgrade from a stock VXL Merv, you need:

TRX7360 550 motor mount
TRX7379 gear cover 550 motor
TRX7380 550 motor plate
TRX7024X receiver box (maybe yours came stock with that one already)

[nitsuj]

540 is the size of the motor "can". There are many different sizes, 540 is still the most common for 1/10 scale.


Like others have been saying here there are many different combinations you could use. As minimum, I would recommend buying a 55 & 45 tooth spur gear & an extra slipper clutch as well.


I don't find the 540 particularly faster (there is kinda a limit on drivability + speed with such a small wheel base), but it is ABSOLUTELY fast for longer. in other words the 540 doesn't have to work as hard, so you can run 40mph without too much concern. plus, the 540 has the nads for pretty much any gearing you can put in.

I recently ran a 31 motor pinion with a 45 spur gear, on 1/10 sedan tires & a 6100kv motor. Ran the whole pack without issue. The motor would get normal hot, esc stayed cool

I would guess that kinda gearing would have cooked the stock ESC/Motor.

[korn0307]

Most guys run Casetle Creation ESCs. Either the mamba max pro or the SV2. The MMP is a little more expensive but if you dont mind spending money on castle products then i recommend you step up and go with the MMP. I bought the SV2 thinking id never want any more. But a few weeks after owning it i wished i would of got the MMP. The SV2 works great but there is still room to upgrade. With the MMP you will never really have or want to upgrade.

Lately some have been trying out cheaper ESCs that they have been happy with but i havent really looked into them since i already have a SV2. Im sure someone else could help you out with some more cost friendly ESCs.

As for the motors its allllllll personal preference and budget. I believe the most common motors used in our trucks is the CC 1406 motors(4600 and 5700kv). But there are a ton you can use. I run a Velineon 3500 over my 4600 1406 because it runs cooler but i still loved the 1406. A lot of guys use and love Tacon motors. You can get a tacon motor in the $30 range i believe.

The thing you wanna look for when shopping for the motor is the KV rating or turn rating. I dont know what the turn ratings mean but the KV rating means RPMs per 1V of power the motor is getting.

[nitsuj]

korn raises a good point regarding ESCs (SV2 being popular). The size / how well the ESC fits in the merv is an important consideration I think. In addition, it's a good idea to be nice to your batteries and use a parallel set up.

I don't think nimh batteries have the umphhh, even in parallel to power a low turn/high KV motor. So it's pretty much gotta be lipos. I'd like to be corrected on this if someone else actually has experience with a 540 & dual nimh batteries.

[Mossie]

turns means : The higher turn motors have more torque, lower turns have more speed

the turns is on how many Is it windings in the motor so less winding means lower resitance and more speed
more turn means more resistance so more torque

longer threat wire = more resistance / less threath wire windings lower restistance so the volt will flow more easy

[50togo]

if you do much off roading i would stick with a sb motor you can meet all your requirements over 40 in the dirt 50 on road

[Jimmie Neutron]

The stock motor has survived 4S and lived...
The ESC is the weak point.
I would start with that... just be sure to get one that 1) fits, and 2) will operate the possible future big block of your choice.

[korn0307]

I agree with 50togo. A bb is useless off road because will never get traction except when you dont want it. Like when your turning your tires might bite enough for your truck to roll over.

[Cipher_Jones]

40mph+ offroad means you WILL spend more time wrenching than running no matter what you do. 50mph on road can be done bone stock, but you'll flip when you turn until you set the suspension properly.

I dont have any gps verified speeds for stock merv's, I'll try to get some @ the LHS tomoorow when I pick up my parts.

I'm pretty sure you don't need a single mod to do what you want, but like I said, 40+ offroad is insane.

[Mossie]

thats why i like to run on hard surface the most

speed and good grip and lots of controll

[korn0307]

Id go with foam tires for speed runs. very stable and balanced and you wont roll when turning with the foams because they will drift instead. I love my foams!!!

[nitsuj]

I agree with 50togo. A bb is useless off road because will never get traction except when you dont want it. Like when your turning your tires might bite enough for your truck to roll over.

I suppose it's perspective, but I see the 540 having a great use in off road, in particular with softer ground. My 380, geared only 18/55 on 2S with stock tires got pretty hot; much hotter than I expected with that set-up. I blame the higher rolling resistance, which would be no problem with a 540.

That being said high speed-off road with such a top heavy RC (with a 540) wouldn't be easy to drive well.

The stock motor has the torque to bust the drive train, so I am unsure why torque is raised as an issue with a 540. There is a "torque limiter", adjust it properly and reap the rewards of a cool running 540 and a drive train that lasts & lasts.

[dwmoss]

I suppose it's perspective, but I see the 540 having a great use in off road, in particular with softer ground. My 380, geared only 18/55 on 2S with stock tires got pretty hot; much hotter than I expected with that set-up.

Change the stock tires to 2.2 tires, and this is what has me looking at BB's (19/55 on 2S)

[Jimmie Neutron]

40mph+ offroad means you WILL spend more time wrenching than running no matter what you do.

My MERV runs at around 30-35mph.
(depending on which spur I am running)
I have only broken the original wing in the last 160+ packs.

My "off road" does not include grass... mostly dirt and sand.
There are steep hills, rolling hills... big rocks, small rocks... tire ruts and deep holes -holes that swallow my 10th scale Summit.
Everything is lined with trees -trees that I have landed 20+ feet up in. (had to chuck rocks at it to knock it back to earth lol)
Most of the dirt is well packed but there are soft areas too.

[dwmoss]

trees that I have landed 20+ feet up in. (had to chuck rocks at it to knock it back to earth lol)

omg, I would love to see that video

[Jimmie Neutron]

If I had one, I would post it.

[ArmySSG]

Hey guys, thanks for the input.. You've inspired me and I'm doing my research.. I've been on the tenol website for the motor mount and they have some packages to start with so next pay check it's going down lol! And to boot just found out I can pay 10 bucks and use the training area at Ft. Stewart for whatever I want lol, so since no one races 1/16 scale anything here in the savnnah, GA area I will be out and about on the tank trails putting in work on my MERV. Videos to follow! Hopefully I'll get enough guys and we will be strting our own circut out here! Thanks again!

[nitsuj]

Good stuff, ArmySSG. Tank Trails! that should be fun for sure. looking forward to those vids

[korn0307]

Be careful with the tenbol mount! It uses the stock motor plate and the stock motor plate is made to support a 380 size motor not a 540 size motor. If you get the traxxas brushed mount and motor plate itll be more solid.

[CobraWasHere]

If you've got the money to spare, stay small block and buy a Neu 1110-1y. They're the nicest and most efficient 380 sized motors and they're also 4-pole.

[korn0307]

Cobra, where did you buy that motor from?

[CobraWasHere]

I got mine from soaringusa.com. Neu motors are hand made and usually take several weeks to be made/shipped, but that site stocks at least the one I got. Are there any other 4-pole 380 size motors?

[ArmySSG]

Good stuff, ArmySSG. Tank Trails! that should be fun for sure. looking forward to those vids

I'm at a stand still right now, I'm thinking between the MMP/Traxxas BB and the Tekin RX8 ESC/Pro4 4600kvTekin main difference speed and all aside.. MONEY!!! so it might be awhile before I can trick both myself and the wife on the Tekin (the one I really want) of course with the HR Mount over the Tenbol after Korn0307's review lol.. Anywho let me know what you think of the vid..

[nitsuj]

I'm at a stand still right now, I'm thinking between the MMP/Traxxas BB and the Tekin RX8 ESC/Pro4 4600kvTekin main difference speed and all aside.. MONEY!!! so it might be awhile before I can trick both myself and the wife on the Tekin (the one I really want) of course with the HR Mount over the Tenbol after Korn0307's review lol.. Anywho let me know what you think of the vid..

Yea for the price I wouldn't spring for the Tenbol either, considering the alternatives available.

I appreciate that buying Chinese direct is not for everybody, with that said 100amp programmable esc & a rebuild-able motor for 125 bones & one week tracked shipping is tough to pass over imho. I imagine if my esc / motor break I am SOL as far as customer service. But again I think it's an option worth considering. On the other hand if you're considering Tekin, the other stuff probably isn't even on your "radar".

That spot your running in looks awesome. Looks like MERV heaven. And nice back flip!

[dwmoss]

Love the video