jontyash Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 Hi everyone, Just bought an 1/18 ECX smash which is just rubbish from stock. I want to install a brushless upgrade but haven't done it before so I need some help. As far as I understand it I need the following: Brushless motor, ESC, lipo battery and new receiver Upgraded shocks Metal pinion and spur gears Wheel bearings The problem is - how can I tell which to buy? I want it to go as fast as possible and have a budget of around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtheg Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 (edited) http://www.msuk-foru...-in-the-making/ I got one of these in my losi mini t pro: http://www.ebay.co.u...=item35c350bab2 With these batteries: http://www.hobbyking...idProduct=17065 These shocks: http://www.end-of-li...hocks-55mm.html This pinion: http://www.ebay.co.u...=item19c586a110 You might be able to fit a dual disk slipper :(leave the spur plastic) http://www.ebay.co.u...=item53edf90868 This transmitter and receiver: http://www.ebay.co.u...=item1e61d698d4 These bearing: http://www.rcbearing...&product_id=201 hope that helps Edited January 14, 2013 by jtheg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydoddy69 Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 If i was you i'd not get a brushless system for the smash as i doubt very much it would be able to cope with it .. The stock drive train is designed to handle power from just 4 AA batteries..These toy grade rc cars are made quite cheap and cant really take a hammering like a hobby grade one .. My advice would be safe you hard earned cash and but it into a better grade of rc .. If you still want a mini and don't want to spend a small fortune then get one of the ion's Maverick is a sister company to HPI so there a great starting place with full parts back up and support .. not sure if these would take a brushless thou .. if you want brushless power done on the cheap a great platform would be one of the mini 's from say Hobbyking as they also do a good parts support in Hong Kong but it is there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtheg Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 Dont forget the smash is made by horison hobby (losi) If it shares the same parts as the mini t then it should be ok. Here's a good read: http://www.rcsoup.com/2012/04/operation-smash-redemption-ecx-smash/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jontyash Posted January 14, 2013 Author Share Posted January 14, 2013 Thanks guys, totally brilliant replies thank you all very much. I'll get reading, buying, building and get back to you with the outcome which will more than likely be a smashed car...lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtheg Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 Dont forget that this is a 1:18th car so this amount of power is great for spead runs and indoor carpet racing.. My Mini t is no so great off road but it was a scream on a damp beach and some neatly cut grass :thumbsup: Ive also run it on 3S!!!! And yes you will end up with a smashed car, arms popping off all over the place :yes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydoddy69 Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 Dont forget the smash is made by horison hobby (losi) If it shares the same parts as the mini t then it should be ok. Here's a good read: http://www.rcsoup.co...tion-ecx-smash/ My point is seen on page 4 to much power = loads of breakages ..Work out the cost of all the mods to buying something that has better equipment in the first place which can handle upgrades of this sort without the mass destruction to the truck and your pocket.. Your just throwing good money after bad but each to his own some folks just learn the hard way i guess .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jontyash Posted January 14, 2013 Author Share Posted January 14, 2013 Yeah, I totally understand. This was actually bought for my 1 year old daughter who just loves cars to run around the house. I didn't plan to upgrade at all until I put the batteries in and it didn't even have enough power to move off the rug it was on. Seeing as I have to upgrade, may as well upgrade to a nice quick motor and having seen some vids on you tube, I'd really like it to go very fast now...I'll just have to order some spare front arms before I start and be very careful! I also have a rustler vxl and tamiya double blaze for proper fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jontyash Posted January 14, 2013 Author Share Posted January 14, 2013 Just looked at the ION Maverick it looks great. I'm totally gutted - I paid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtheg Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 The turnigy 1/18 seem quite good and come rtr have a look on hobbyking or the bay:-) but my mini is way too fast for round the house! Have you thought about the micro losi? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jontyash Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 Yeah I've looked at the losi it looks nice. It's quite similar to the smash but quicker. Honestly, I can pee quicker than the bloody smash, it's useless. I'm tempted to take it back to the shop as it's not fit for purpose. If it can't even power itself off a rug, then surely it's not fit. The picture on the box shows it firing dirt out from under the wheels...yeah right! I think I'll try and get my money back and then buy a decent car... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtheg Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 That might be the way to go mate - the losi I was on about was smaller again 1/24th - what are you mainly gonna be using it for??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jontyash Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 Sorry jtheg I was looking at the wrong losi - the micro is an awesome little thing. That's what I wanted really from the start. I'm basically using it to drive round the lounge so my daughter can chase after it. Then I'd like to be able to take it outside on the patio so she can run after it out there too. It looks like the perfect little car for that. I'm going to take the ECX back today and see where I get, hopefully they'll take it back. If not then I'll have to upgrade it. Cheers jtheg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydoddy69 Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 (edited) Time you spend on upgrades might as well look see if you can get a secondhand 1/24 sct or rally .. or just buy the brushless version new.. comes with everything you need in the box.. Charger, batteriers, transmitter, the lot .. These can be upgraded and will be much better value in the long run Just been thinking if you cant get a refund and your stuck with the smash instead of going brushless why not go brushed ?? Depending on the specs of that esc you might just be able to swap out the motor for say an ion one and get a nimh battery pack .. should only be around Edited January 15, 2013 by mydoddy69 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixmasterjay Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 all mrs has in her smash is a maverick strada esc and a 380 brushed motor in it and its rapid as hell , wheelie in command and everything lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jontyash Posted January 17, 2013 Author Share Posted January 17, 2013 Sweet! Just thought I would update you all. Got my money back from the shop today after a lengthy argument with the bloke. Complete idiot actually! Had to break out the statutory rights and 'not as described' card. Really pleased though so now I'm gonna get something cool. I added up all the parts needed to upgrade properly and was pretty stunned at the cost so it's either a mini t or ion maverick... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydoddy69 Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 The mini t is discontinued but there still about parts are getting thin thou.. Bit pricier is the mini 8 or the Carisma gt14b these are 4wd brushless but you may be lucky and find a good one on eBay.. If its just a cheap but good bit of fun without the need for extreme speed then the ion will be a good choice .. take some time to look around this time, search youtube but look for standard cars running not ones that have been hopped up or have had a lot of fancy editing.. then you'll start to get a list of what you like then search there parts support .. In the end a little time spent doing some research will save you from disappointment and a whole in your pocket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixmasterjay Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 also look at the rc18 too mate the factory team edition id is the best one to go for but they are all good mate , ive not long sold one and it was unbreakable and mental fast on 3s lol haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jontyash Posted January 18, 2013 Author Share Posted January 18, 2013 Ok so after extensive research I've gone for the ion maverick mini truggy. Can't wait for it to arrive, hope the snow doesn't hold it up!! Ill let you know how I get on!! Nice one guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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