Ultimate 1/8th Scale...

KnifeLord · Oct 28, 2009, 07:39 PM

Hello,

I'm new to RCing, besides the couple little Radio-Shack type cars I had as a kid, brand new. I'm generally a cabinetmaker... but a friend of mine recently told me of the great advances in the RC car world. I have done some fiber layout (carbon, Kevlar, a bit of fiberglass, and carbon-Kevlar) I would like to design a car (based on a cartoon, but I have to contact the creators before I proceed with the design stage) that is 1/8th scale. The car I would like to model from is very large, think 50's era Cadillac.

My goal in this build is to make the ultimate 1/8th(?) scale touring car. Heavy isn't a huge concern, but high torque, long-lastingness and good--rather great-- tires are.

So, what's the best motor? Electric or Combustion? Best of the subcategories therein? What are the best shocks? I'd like to implement the "10mph" bumper that my '77 Buick was built with, as well as Cadi-type suspension and handling. How about break rotor?

The frame I believe I'll build of ash (wood,) but everything else I'd like in something stronger, who makes the toughest parts?
What is the best remote system? Is there a company that utilizes long-range transmission and camera technology?

Basically if you have other great part ideas, let me know. I want to build this thing to be tough as nails, and last twice as long. Also 65MPH (real) speeds would be nice.

Oh, and I want to make it like a mini car, separate bumpers, door-panels, body, hood, trunk, etc... Tell me your dream choices, and perhaps a reasonable alternative as well.

Thanks,
-Knife

deathstar · Nov 16, 2009, 07:52 AM

hey knife.

If you're going >10th scale I tihnk the only option is a gas/nitro car if you want those speeds but I'd like to see if anyone has done electric.

Why don't you start off on a 1/10th scale build? Try a Tamiya TA05 (electric) and try modding that out before you get started on the dream projecT?

DCLXV2 · Nov 18, 2009, 09:04 AM

I think you might need a quite expensive electric system for this to work, nitro is hard to get 100% working in a scale model I'd say, needs cooling and exhaust plus the motors tends to produce some gunk (oil residue and such) in the car, also the sound will be strange, right type of noise but totally wrong pitch...
Have you though about your speed goal? 65 MPH in a 1/8 car is extremly fast (though the 1/8 track cars do about 80 MPH down the straights) but building a realistic car, with a realistic body and all that might make it unstable at those speeds, 40-50 would be more realistic (and not as expensive)...
There's also a limit on availability on some things as tires and rims for scale purpouses as most R/C'ers are after performance rather than scale looks...

I'd say, look at buying a Kyosho Inferno GT, ThunderTiger Rallye Game or OFNA's 1/8 rallycar, that should provide you with a decent start up chassi, though they are independantly suspended front and rear...
For the Kyosho (I don't know about the OFNA) you can buy a complete electric conversion kit...

Oct 28, 2009, 07:39 PM	#1
KnifeLord Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1	Ultimate 1/8th Scale... Hello, I'm new to RCing, besides the couple little Radio-Shack type cars I had as a kid, brand new. I'm generally a cabinetmaker... but a friend of mine recently told me of the great advances in the RC car world. I have done some fiber layout (carbon, Kevlar, a bit of fiberglass, and carbon-Kevlar) I would like to design a car (based on a cartoon, but I have to contact the creators before I proceed with the design stage) that is 1/8th scale. The car I would like to model from is very large, think 50's era Cadillac. My goal in this build is to make the ultimate 1/8th(?) scale touring car. Heavy isn't a huge concern, but high torque, long-lastingness and good--rather great-- tires are. So, what's the best motor? Electric or Combustion? Best of the subcategories therein? What are the best shocks? I'd like to implement the "10mph" bumper that my '77 Buick was built with, as well as Cadi-type suspension and handling. How about break rotor? The frame I believe I'll build of ash (wood,) but everything else I'd like in something stronger, who makes the toughest parts? What is the best remote system? Is there a company that utilizes long-range transmission and camera technology? Basically if you have other great part ideas, let me know. I want to build this thing to be tough as nails, and last twice as long. Also 65MPH (real) speeds would be nice. Oh, and I want to make it like a mini car, separate bumpers, door-panels, body, hood, trunk, etc... Tell me your dream choices, and perhaps a reasonable alternative as well. Thanks, -Knife

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Nov 16, 2009, 07:52 AM	#2
deathstar No0b but future prodigy Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 74	hey knife. If you're going >10th scale I tihnk the only option is a gas/nitro car if you want those speeds but I'd like to see if anyone has done electric. Why don't you start off on a 1/10th scale build? Try a Tamiya TA05 (electric) and try modding that out before you get started on the dream projecT?

Nov 18, 2009, 09:04 AM	#3
DCLXV2 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 5	I think you might need a quite expensive electric system for this to work, nitro is hard to get 100% working in a scale model I'd say, needs cooling and exhaust plus the motors tends to produce some gunk (oil residue and such) in the car, also the sound will be strange, right type of noise but totally wrong pitch... Have you though about your speed goal? 65 MPH in a 1/8 car is extremly fast (though the 1/8 track cars do about 80 MPH down the straights) but building a realistic car, with a realistic body and all that might make it unstable at those speeds, 40-50 would be more realistic (and not as expensive)... There's also a limit on availability on some things as tires and rims for scale purpouses as most R/C'ers are after performance rather than scale looks... I'd say, look at buying a Kyosho Inferno GT, ThunderTiger Rallye Game or OFNA's 1/8 rallycar, that should provide you with a decent start up chassi, though they are independantly suspended front and rear... For the Kyosho (I don't know about the OFNA) you can buy a complete electric conversion kit...