RobG

I wouldn't use a mamba max motor in anything heavier than a Rustler. The Mamba Max ESC should be OK though.

I guess it wont be as powerful or flexible as the VXL (velineon system) then. This HPI/Castle Sidewinder combo sounds like it will do about 45-50mph with a decent 2S lipo which to be honest is about right for bashing etc... I have the Mamba Max and the 5700 on 2S Lipo is a good combination so I imagine the Sidewinder combo will be pretty similar.

I would guess it to be around the £180-200 mark. Maybe even a bit cheaper, at least once it has been out a couple of months. The sidewinder combo is only about £70 (imported from B-P-P) so if the standard e-firestorm is going for £99-£119 already then I can't see how it can be any more than £200 as apart from the slightly different shell and chrome wheels the brushless car is basically the same as the standard e-firestorm isn't it? Where as the Traxxas Rustler VXL has quite a few chassis/trans upgrades over the XL5 version.

I voted for Modelsport. Most the time they are competitively priced, good website, fast delivery. Also I once had a problem with a speed control I bought, I sent it back and they replaced it with the upgraded version so I didn't have to wait for the distributor to send the part back to Germany for testing etc... I am not saying they are perfect, but any problems have been delt with in a no nonsence way.

Cool, does anyone know anything about the motor? What Kv etc...

I don't think anyone can be too suprised that HPI will be bringing out a brushless version. There will soon be a good range of brushless RTR stadium trucks with Losi getting in on the act as well. I think the decision to go electric just got easier for people getting into the hobby.

Be great if the package is under $300. The mamba max is only $180 (from B-P-P) so who knows. I know it would be overkill but would be great to have a cool running 5S or 6S Lipo system running on a 1/10 truck. I bet heat issues would be a thing of the past on my e-firestorm.

Gearing sounds too high. Doubt you are reaching top speed indoors! I beleive you need to be hitting top speed about 3/4 way down the straight for best gearing. The fact the ESC is getting hot usually means it is working hard to limit the throttle. If you are at top speed more often the ESC will actualy get less hot. It is not good gearing if you are not using the full speed range. Try a 17T pinion.

I too have had problems with wheelspin. The web site shows a very large range of spare parts including pictures which was very useful and tempted me into giving them a try. Unfortunately the money was taken straight away and I had to wait over 2 months for one order - in the end they delievered but its just not acceptable (and it seems illeagal). The £3.50 postage is enough to put me off any way. Be great if Wheelspin comment in this thread as it sounds like they are losing customers.

The level of detail looks very high. I wonder how fast they go? I am wondering if they are suitable to be raced around the living room - instead of slot cars... Of course it will require more skill than slot cars but really like the idea and the cars look very collectable. I am keeping an eye out for these

Another factor to consider is the fact that sometimes you will be waiting on "back order" my Rustler was on the shelf for two months waiting for one part! The spare car can act as a buffer whilst you wait for parts. That way when a part is on order you just "borrow" it from the spare car. I guess it makes sense for racers to have a spare car, but even for impatient bashers like me when life is too short to be waiting for parts!

See MSUK sale - HPI e-firestorm £119. Trust me (and i am sure others will back me up) that is a great deal. It is far superior to XL5 and Raven ST. Stock motor isn't anything to right home about, but that is about all to complain about realy. Great on or off-road - Stick a high power brushless system in for 50mph+

I have just noticed that the HPI e-firestorm is now £119 at MSUK - This got me thinking that I have just paid out over £50 on a new shell, new wheels and tyres + couple of dog bones after I managed to ping one out in a crash. When a new painted shell is £30 and a new RTR car is £119 it makes you think if its worth paying a bit more and having the 2nd car - spares are then readily available Anyone else buy a spare kit or RTR as it works out cheaper in the long run? Rob

If you will be running only 6 cell Ni-MH then the 7700 will be the most impressive in terms of performance. You will need decent Ni-MH cells or LIPO though not cheap stick packs if you want to get the most out of your system. If you have the money get the 5700 and 3S Lipo for maximum speeds.

Try B-P-P.com There is no gaurantee you wont have to pay tax but I have got away with it every time so far. They put "Warranty Return / Toy" on the packaging and say it is $10 or something. A bit dodgy but I like it

PS2 will be on its last legs now in terms of new games. If you remember before the PS1 died a death you had about 3-4 years of kiddie games after the big releases moved to the next generation.

Good Find! They scare me every time I read LIPO Do's and Don'ts . The first time I charged my LIPO I was there with a bucket of sand just waiting for it to catch fire. As I am now on about the 20th charge I check the temps every 10 mins but don't worry too much. I wouldn't leave the house with them on charge mind you.

Realy? I didn't know you had to discharge LIPO's? I usually recharge mine or leave them partially charged if not used for a while. I know it is not good to leave LIPO's on empty charge for too long though. Personally I think it is probably worse to drain a modern LIPO to 6V than it is to use it to about 7V and then recharge. Once I drained a LIPO to the ESC cut off and the thing was barely reading 6V and took a few attempts to get the charger to charge it (LOW Voltage Error) so I am a bit wary of running to cut off now. edit: I run 7.4 8000 (on the B4) so don't realy need to run to cut off any way.

Sean, do you tape the inside of your tyres? If so what with? I replaced my stock tyres with another set of Ground Assault (on new wheels) and noticed they seem to baloon a bit more than the stock ones - pizza cutters !! Also, apart from the obvious wear on the off road tyres what is the advantage of the road tyres? I wouldn't mind some but its a few quid for a set so can't decide if its worth it. PS> Can't believe you want to get 90mph!

Stampede looks cool in Black

You will not get better value increase in speed per £ than Mamba Max from B-P-P.com. (about £80 delivered) The 4600 on six cells will give you about 30mph. The 5700 on 3S Lipo about 60mph (and other options in between). I spent £180 on an LRP brushless system before I found out about mamba max . You will need to install the bearings before though. Mamba Max aren't really advertised in the hobby magazines or LHS in this country so often go unnoticed by newbies. Expensive sensored brushless systems are OK if you are into competitive track racing but for bashing and fun I think Mamba is better! (as do a lot of bashers)

I am trying to establish if the Tamiya Madbull has the same transmission as the LunchBox because "Alexi" on this forum runs a Mamba Max 5700 on 10 cells in his Madbull. I have a Madbull and the transmission is as tough as old boots so find it hard to beleive the lunchbox transmission would be so fragile.

edit: I did say maybe it was an unwanted x-mas gift. But then saw you said he got it on Wednesday!! Oh well... Perhaps he just couldn't be bothered to spend the time setting up and running it in properly etc.. Even with electric cars you need a little patience some times. I can imagine that with nitro you need a bit more though!

That looks cool! I want one already. I hope it will be about the same price as the desert truck. I wonder what's next for LOSI, the Micro-T range is growing fast!

Looks a neat job. Very low to the ground. You shouldn't have any problems with wheelies now!