Rtsbasic vs Capra - From kit to 2.2 Sporty

[Rtsbasic]

So here we are, the first build thread I’ve started since the old UltimateRC days. Bear with me while I take a trip down memory lane [emoji16] Post 2 will begin the Sporty conversion.

 

Way back in the land of....2019, a Capra was preordered. It was built, it was driven, and it was good. Then promptly shelved through the winter (damn scale rigs asking for mud and attention!)

 

 

 

Fast forward to 2020, and it was reborn like a Phoenix rising, as the Baja Bug. Hard body, capable, fun and quite the looker I think [emoji102]

 

 

Along the way there was very few bolt on parts, instead much time investment into understanding link geometry and suspension for this flavour of fun.

 

Of course, the good weather comes along, a stronger local scene gets together for proper rock crawling. Everyone is talking about granite Tor’s, steep climbs and gnarly transitions. Suddenly there’s something simmering just beneath the surface I haven’t felt before. It wasn’t a dodgy takeaway thankfully. This build found its true calling, to live up to the Goat name. My first performance crawler build [emoji39]

 

First came the wheelbase stretch (+12mm), and the swap to a droop setup. A flat skid was locked & loaded. Shorter springs softer than a homemade jelly. Anti squat and dive was considered. Lines were drawn mapping instant center points. Rear link riser came hot off the press. Well, 3D printer. Progress was being made.

 

 

The fun continued, corners were weighed and balance changes needed to happen. Some tummy fat needed trimming, but the Bug look had to stay. Research started into body and chassis options. Much tea was stirred, some drank, others left to go cold while links were moved and discussions were had about tyres.

 

 

Lexan comp cut body was painted (Kamtec shell). Hyrax predators with 2 stage inserts were broken in. Total weight came down and suddenly 60 degree climbs were not a problem. Stay tuned to see how this evolves into a Sporty build, and what happens to the standard components [emoji2]

 

 

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[Rtsbasic]

So, up to this point performance has seen a huge difference from the kit it started as. And the next evolution of this little beast starts now after receiving a small delivery from Krazed Builds a few days ago.

 

 

There’s a lot of chassis options to use Capra running gear with. I have a Spare Time Hobbies chassis with trx4 running gear and it would have been good on this too. The Battle Axe chassis looks like it’ll take your eye out just for taking a peak. But I have high hopes for this Krazed Builds Alcista. It’s a nice simple design, keeps the stock link positions, and heck of a lightweight.

 

 

Eyeing up the job at hand, and pretty much winging it. This is the weight before starting (rtr with Lipo)

 

First step removing the stock cage. Quite a heavy thing for what it is. Note the front cut back to the bulkheads and some mild narrowing to accommodate the body.

 

 

Taking the opportunity to tinker again... no cuppa this time [emoji23]

 

 

Front leccy plate fitted and esc in its new home

 

 

First challenge. The flat skid raises the motor up, and the gear cover is hitting the side plate

 

Second challenge, the upper link mounts on the flat skid are out of alignment with the side plate by approx 1mm vertically. Elongating some holes slightly got the fit. The price to pay for using different manufactures of aftermarket parts..

 

The motor mount on stock gearbox had some material taken away to ensure a bind free fit

 

And the body got the chop. It will sit a lot lower than it did on the cage so material removed from all 4 lower edges to accommodate

 

Now I start improvising..... a dangerous thing! Knocked some body mounts up using the stock bonnet hinges and some scx10.2 posts. I’d like to get some nicer ones TPU printed.

 

And another ‘it’ll do for now’ is the battery mount. It’s perfectly fine and secure here, but some 3s1300 packs sat on the front axle would please me a lot more...

 

Weight fully assembled and same Lipo fitted. Quite a hefty saving!!

 

Some tweaking of the shocks from previous setup, they are now 550cst all round, 5mm internal limiters all round. Front has Element green springs (0.71lbs). Rear has 4mm external limiters and Axial red springs (1.49lb). Skid has 48mm clearance at front and 58mm at the back.

 

And some figures, 60/40 F/R balance and 4% difference L/R. Quite acceptable for now, the motor is almost counterweighting the lipo. If only I could lose the weight so easy as this! [emoji38]

 

So this is the build up to date.... it had a run out like this Sunday, 6 hours spent on the rocks climbing, falling, climbing some more. Looking for the most challenging lines and seeing what it’s got. The driving feel has changed way more than expected. The chassis tucks nice and low when the axles are twisted up in a gnarly transition. Sadly didn’t take a lot of photos through the day, too engrossed driving, but here’s how she sits.

 

 

 

So where’s it going now? I have an ax10 gearbox midway through a rebuild and a new skid on the way to sneak that in [emoji16] Hate to lose the dig, it gets used every single pack, so perhaps a Vp Hurtz in there would be nice. Mild (24%) TGH overdrive gears also inbound, along with a standard set for the rear portals. Some high clearance lower links to play with too..

 

Waiting to hear a little more on the Proline Ibex 2.2 tyres, they tick all my bling boxes, and some CI narrow foams would finish them off nicely.... Reluctant to throw more conventional 2.2 tyres on it, so will stick with the 1.9’s until the Ibex or Voodoo find their way to me.

 

The stock cage and gearbox is the basis for my ‘spare parts’ build, using some single piece ar44 axles. I’ll update with some progress on that when I get a moment to start it!

 

 

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[Acidsnow]

Top work Rtsbasic, looks the berries. 

Still need a crawler! 

[Andy-Roo]

A great build thread, thanks for sharing! 
The Alcista chassis was on the cards for my (ex) Capra if it didn’t sell. It sold..so no Alcista for me! 

Looking forward to seeing your Goats ongoing journey 👍

[DartmoorTrails]

Nice write up mate, can't wait to get out on the rocks in the coming weeks / months to see how she performs👍

[Rtsbasic]

Nice write up mate, can't wait to get out on the rocks in the coming weeks / months to see how she performs[emoji106]

Thanks mate, looking forward to seeing you out again soon. Thinking of organising a meet at Sharpitor and on to Leather Tor in a couple weeks if your free?


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[DartmoorTrails]

Thanks mate, looking forward to seeing you out again soon. Thinking of organising a meet at Sharpitor and on to Leather Tor in a couple weeks if your free?


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Providing it's not this weekend I should be free. Off to Cotswolds for a few days from Saturday. First change of scenery for ages!!!

Wonderful views from up on sharpitor if memory serves.

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[Rtsbasic]

Providing it's not this weekend I should be free. Off to Cotswolds for a few days from Saturday. First change of scenery for ages!!!

Wonderful views from up on sharpitor if memory serves.

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Have a good time up there!

Used to fly slope soarers from the S W bank of Sharpitor, it’s a nice view of Burrator and over to Tavistock up there. Not been down to Leather Tor before but hopefully have a quick scout after work one day next week. See what kind of lines there are to take


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[DartmoorTrails]

2 hours ago, Rtsbasic said:

Have a good time up there!

Used to fly slope soarers from the S W bank of Sharpitor, it’s a nice view of Burrator and over to Tavistock up there. Not been down to Leather Tor before but hopefully have a quick scout after work one day next week. See what kind of lines there are to take


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It's big enough to have quite a few I hope!

At least that'll be way easier to get to and park than Sheeps Tor🤣

[Rtsbasic]

Little update with some more work done. Not quite sure if it’s still a Capra really, all that remains are the axles, shocks and some links [emoji39]



Postman has been! 24% front overdrive and stronger standard ratio for the rear. Supershafty link riser to replace the printed piece. And one of Holmes finest economy motors..... love these things [emoji2]



Had a run out last weekend with the overdrive and riser fitted. It offers +11mm & +16mm options vs the printed one +10mm. Small but noticeable change, this thing just wants to plant the front down. Takes quite an extreme angle to roll back now.

The overdrive feels good, not as extreme as I was expecting. Guess that’s why they call it the mild setup [emoji102] Sidehilling is still very acceptable, and on steep ledge climbs you can see the front pulling the rear over instead of rotating around the rear axle.



Back to the bench yesterday, time to get this baby in. Ax10 style gearbox pulled from an scx10.2 builders kit.



Motor sits a solid 8-10mm lower, and overall weight came down 60g. No dig, but I think the VP Hurtz would drop in okay. Could be ordering that up soon..

Driveshafts are a mixture of Capra/scx10.2 WB’s now. They needed lengthening to accommodate the ax10 box. Lots more scope in the gearing, 16/56 feels very similar to stock gearbox with a 9t pinion. Feel comfortable going to 2.2’s now I can gear correctly, just need to find some pin tyres. 13/56 on 5.5 tyres should give very similar rollout to how it is now on 4.75 1.9’s. No stock of the Ibex in good old England still.. Anyone have some Voodoo pins or light wheels for sale? [emoji16]

The rear lower links are high clearance with quite a bend in them. They come very close to binding on the upper links on full flex, will have to keep an eye on this when it’s next out and see if it’s a problem or not. Can now climb the garden steps where before it would hang on the rear links, not much of a test but I’ll take it [emoji38]

Next steps are 2.2’s, a swap to new radio (a buddy gifted me a FS gt5 setup for wiring up his bc8. Win win!) and eventually relocating the lipo down to the axle. Looking good for a 1300 3s behind the servo, just need to get cutting on some g10..


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[stimpy]

Just back from holiday...

 

And this is a build I was waiting to see! Well done mate - looks very nice indeed👍

 

I see you have now lowered the front chassis upper link 1 place - was going to mention that - but then you have quite a bit of knuckle weight helping with grip there also. What is your caster like? Have you tried increasing that - hard to tell from the pics - as that will help further with ledges.

 

Once you can sort the battery location that will help lots also :-). I run 850mah packs but then I think you chaps get out for longer runs than I do. 

 

Also looking forward to seeing these Ibex over here.

 

Fun times!!

 

[Rtsbasic]

Just back from holiday...
 
And this is a build I was waiting to see! Well done mate - looks very nice indeed[emoji106]
 
I see you have now lowered the front chassis upper link 1 place - was going to mention that - but then you have quite a bit of knuckle weight helping with grip there also. What is your caster like? Have you tried increasing that - hard to tell from the pics - as that will help further with ledges.
 
Once you can sort the battery location that will help lots also :-). I run 850mah packs but then I think you chaps get out for longer runs than I do. 
 
Also looking forward to seeing these Ibex over here.
 
Fun times!!
 

Thanks for your motivational words!

I’ve increased the caster angle a few degrees by adjusting the front link lengths, I think it could stand a bit more, with a 2mm spacer on the lower links to bring them out a touch more.

Last run out I was quite chuffed with the behaviour of the rig, the way it pulls into rocks and resists the dreaded roll over. But of course, we can never be happy with the status quo. There’s always a bit more to eek out of every build [emoji2]

Normally on a run we will be on the rocks for 6hrs or so. So the slightly larger batteries are worth it.

Impatiently stomping my feet waiting for tyres to come into stock. Had to throw this one together, the ‘Scrapra’ composed of only the finest leftover parts [emoji102][emoji38]

Capra cage, high clearance skid, Capra gearbox, mixture of Capra/scx10.2 links and driveshafts, and a shiny pair of refurbished AR44’s sitting under it all. Will drive quite differently I’m sure, and looks pretty tasty with the Scorcher hard body sat on top [emoji41]

Do note I used my highest performing HV ultra brushless super power servo for mocking up [emoji16] Need to order up a waterproof Savox and esc for this build then it’s ready to rock & roll..












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[stimpy]

And so the Scrapra is born!!! Love the super servo.... Should last about 10 mins.....👍🤣

Edited August 17, 2020 by stimpy
auto txt!!

[DartmoorTrails]

Good work with getting into the leftovers build mate [emoji106] I love those builds as much as the proper builds [emoji16]
Looks really good though, looking forward to seeing it in the rocks soon.

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[Rtsbasic]

Good work with getting into the leftovers build mate [emoji106] I love those builds as much as the proper builds [emoji16]
Looks really good though, looking forward to seeing it in the rocks soon.

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Love these kind of builds too, building something out of what you have on the bench is sooooo satisfying [emoji2]

Speaking of what’s on the bench, the Postman kindly dropped these off today. They are huge [emoji44] With some dremel work to take the inside ribbing off, and shave the inside sidewalls, I think they might be a performer. Think they will soften up nicely after these little mods. Still waiting on the 2 stage foams..




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[stimpy]

Be good to see what you make of these... My mate has just got his Ibexs - can't wait to see them... 

[DartmoorTrails]

Love these kind of builds too, building something out of what you have on the bench is sooooo satisfying [emoji2]

Speaking of what’s on the bench, the Postman kindly dropped these off today. They are huge [emoji44] With some dremel work to take the inside ribbing off, and shave the inside sidewalls, I think they might be a performer. Think they will soften up nicely after these little mods. Still waiting on the 2 stage foams..




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I have those on my sporty, excellent on the rocks mate [emoji106]

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[Rtsbasic]

I have those on my sporty, excellent on the rocks mate [emoji106]

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Good to hear they do okay! Fingers crossed they work out.

Started working on them last night, it’s surprising how much the sidewalls soften up after a bit of trimming inside & a shave outside. Also surprising how long it takes to do! The mess is quite spectacular, hope the end result is worth it [emoji1787]



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[DartmoorTrails]

What foams have you ordered?

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[Rtsbasic]

1 hour ago, DartmoorTrails said:

What foams have you ordered?

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Picked up 2 sets of the Proline 2.2 XL dual stage foams. They’re a identical match in size to the originals, with a much softer outer and the firm inner.  I think pretty much identical to the CI double deuce 6.0 soft outers, without waiting 3 weeks.

 

Which ones are you running? The included ones seem pretty firm for a single stage, I think given the chop it would be possible to make some nice tuning rings from them...

[DartmoorTrails]

Picked up 2 sets of the Proline 2.2 XL dual stage foams. They’re a identical match in size to the originals, with a much softer outer and the firm inner.  I think pretty much identical to the CI double deuce 6.0 soft outers, without waiting 3 weeks.
 
Which ones are you running? The included ones seem pretty firm for a single stage, I think given the chop it would be possible to make some nice tuning rings from them...

CI DD 6 comp cut inner soft. Very squishy but she's very lightweight so works well together [emoji106]

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[stimpy]

On 22/08/2020 at 20:49, Rtsbasic said:

Picked up 2 sets of the Proline 2.2 XL dual stage foams. They’re a identical match in size to the originals, with a much softer outer and the firm inner.  I think pretty much identical to the CI double deuce 6.0 soft outers, without waiting 3 weeks.

 

Which ones are you running? The included ones seem pretty firm for a single stage, I think given the chop it would be possible to make some nice tuning rings from them...

 

Love the tyre work buddy - have also dabbled in tyre mods 👍

 

The difference between Ci and PL is the former is much softer and has a smaller diameter inner ring. Generally they conform more period. However, there comes a point on some heavy rigs where that just aint gonna work!!.. Re the PL, I have found that hollowing out some of the inner has helped soften things up for me.... 

 

And yes, if we could get Ci over here or easily then I would use them over PL but a good exercise to see if we can make them work definitely 👍