Project: T-maxx to E-maxx RS (Rally Sport)

[70ina30]

My new project is taking my Tmaxx 3.3 and converting it to a 1/7th scale brushless emaxx off road rally car.

The two major specs that i will be changing are wheel base and ground clearance. I will be extending the chassis about 1.5 to 3 inches (not sure yet) and lowering the center of gravity with a modified chassis giving it about a 2" ground clearance.

once thats done, i will load it up with a Tekin Rx8 combo!

the stock specs of my 4909 3.3 tmaxx is:
- 12" wheel base
- 4" ground clearance

i will have to fab up a few parts to get it to work the way i want and i will also be converting the tranny to forward only.

so far i removed the engine and electronics


it has an RD logics aluminum chassis




now, here is the fun part.
so i was thinking of just reversing the chassis brace. move it to the top of the chassis and put the tranny on top of it like this. basically mounting the braces on the top side going up instead of on the lower side






kind of like this. i know the top and bottom are different and do not match up, this is just an example of what i want.


by doing this i can really lower the COG and still have decent clearance.


i know that they make low COG chassis but i want the fun of making one myself, and i also havent seen one that gives me low COG and 2" longer...
but i enjoy the technical part of doing it myself

[Kyleb]

Check this thread out, it may give you some ideas for
Your chassis

http://traxxas.com/forums/showthread...messing-around

[70ina30]

yes thats exactly what I'm going for.
i want it to perform like a buggy. better handling than my emaxx and longer to make it closer to spec for rally car!
i will also be going a little smaller on the wheels and tires.
the talons are too big for my goal i have in mind.

[70ina30]

this will be my first custom chassis.
what thickness aluminum should i use to ensure its stable. i want it to be light and rigid and not bend.
i know stock tmaxx was 4mm

[vwbug]

haha 70ina30 i like ur chassis "stand" cool build though.

[Kyleb]

4mm will be fine if it's solid. 6mm if you plan on drilling out some
Lightening holes

[70ina30]

haha 70ina30 i like ur chassis "stand" cool build though.

as im looking around my living room i spot the percect stand. my labs kong bone lol.
precisely 2" high.

[70ina30]

i got up this morning and started on my mock lower chassis plate. here is the RD logics tmaxx chassis and my old 3906 emaxx chassis.


i never realized the difference between the 2 because of the space needed for the batteries.


mock chassis is 6.5" wide like the emaxx to carry the 2 x lipo batteries i plan to use. But i have added an additional 2.75 inches. hopefully this will help keep the front down and stop 2 wheel take off, and like i mentioned before i want a closer spec to rally.


blurry pic here, but i measure the width of the bottom skid plate that the chassis will NOW mount to instead of the top of the transmission bulk heads.


all measurements done and ready to be cut out tonight when i get home.

[70ina30]

here is the mock up chassis plate cut out


top view of chassis plate in place to show the length


shows the difference in length compared to brushless emaxx.


shows the chassis plate in place. the lower center of gravity will allow the transmission to set lower and the drive shafts will not need to pass through the chassis.

[70ina30]

Question?
where should the center of gravity be on this vehicle for best performance?
should it be more to the front or the rear?
i would think the rear... similar to my slash maybe

this will help me when i go to mount my tranny. i can mount it more to the rear if thats what i need

[Kyleb]

That depends...
If you race you want the COG in the front to help keep the frOnt end down

If your a basher and jump a lot you would want a COG in the middle to try and keep level while in the air

[70ina30]

Thanks Kyleb
not a racer, just want good cornering while still able to take some nice jumps. my emaxx rolls to easily when cornering even at mild speeds. hopefully the low center of gravity and lower suspension will help with that.

I'm planning dead center then, thanks again!

[50togo]

Offset rims would help with that
Are you going to try a sway bar system on there?

[70ina30]

Offset rims would help with that
Are you going to try a sway bar system on there?

yes i have been doing some research on the sway bar system that i feel would work well.

[50togo]

I have one on my lil merv and big revo. Works great!

[4sdash]

nice build so far what are you going to use as a body