

	http://www.marcweb.net/rcpics/B4RS4small2.WMV 6/13/03 -- As if I wasn't crazy enough as it was... The Bandit was running great, if not a bit hot, with the 13t Kobal. My only problem was that I hate motor maintenance, and this motor required loads of it. I was cleaning the motor and comm after every 2 runs, contributing to major downtime and overall boringness. Finally, the motor died when the spacer between the magnets melted off. Now, for a couple months, I had been closely eyeing the release of Novak's Super Sport brushless motor system, but originally shied away from it because it could only handle 6-7 cells. Quite frankly, I didn't think that a measly 7 cells would satisfy my need for speed. I kept looking back at a cheap Lehner Basic system, but then it occurred to me: I can't solder worth donkey. How am I supposed to make 8-10 cell packs? Seconds after this revelation, my motor broke. It was time. Enter, the Novak Super Sport brushless system. 2/11/02 -- Let the races begin... As stated previously, this is good. Very good. I'm guessing that I'm hitting around 40 mph right now, and I still haven't had time to lighten the chassis and gear up. I'll have to do a real speed run in 2 weeks or so once I get back from Europe. Here's the Dually, SGP Kobal 13t, and the car completed. This car is currently being prepped for a possible race or two in the future. To save weight, I removed the RPM receiver box. Also, after a high speed collision with a curb, my steering servo is shot. A Traxxas 2055 is on the way thanks to the ever-helpful MaxxJester2. After a run that stripped my spur in a race with a 1:1 scale car (which the Bandit won...easily), I lost a wheel. I neglected to put it on, and spent the next 7 minutes driving around on three wheels. Traxxas durability! Check out the new Proline Gladiator tires....great grip. I left a skid mark on one wheelie, wish I could've gotten a picture of it before it started raining. I also switched my front and rear springs, opting for softer front and firmer rear damping. 1/27/02 -- The (third) beginning... For the third time now, the Bandit will receive a major overhaul. Deciding that I'd like to give racing a shot, the car will be fully optimized for speed. Coming soon are a Novak Dually speed controller and a 13t Speed Gems Pro Kobal motor. Also coming are fully Dremelled (Stage 2) chassis decks. Already installed is a set of MIP Shiny CVD's. This is going to be good. Stay tuned. 1/10/02 -- Without a motor... The Bandit is feeling a bit neglected right now. Although it has many new parts, its missing one crucial piece: the motor. And the story begins... 15 days ago, I arrived at Greg's San Diego condo, and started charging a 2400. I had my shiny new RPM Clawz on, as well as my Sand Paws and Dirt Hawgs. I also had my limping Chameleon 2 Pro. After waiting half an hour for the charge to finish, I went out to the beach, and had the most fun ever with the Bandit. The thing kicked up roosts like I've never seen. A couple runs later, my Chameleon's comm turned bright red and died. I installed the SGP Amber, and went back. At one point, I did the stupidest thing ever...I got too close to the salt water. That's where the money trail begins. By the end of the trip, my Speed Gems was limping, but barely. I had cleaned the comm and replaced the brushes, and thus gave myself about 5 more runs. The saltwater had rusted the motor, corroded the timing ring, and oxidized my brush hoods. Not only that, but my esc had died on multiple occasions due to moisture, and nearly every piece of metal on the poor thing had started to rust. After getting home, I went to Hobby People and picked up some goodies, including some new screws and adjustable camber links. I reassembled much of the car, replaced several of the bearings, and removed the motor. I would later clean the motor, but as of right now it sits on my floor waiting for installation. The Bandit sits as well, a victim of overuse. I'll revive the thing soon, but right now I'm just waiting for a trip to the lhs so that I can pick up some much needed motor spray. Here's a pic from just before that fateful trip to San Diego. 12/19/02 -- The modifications continue... Hey everybody. I'll begin with some updates as of right now, since I don't have time to build up to this point in time, and won't have time to do so until about two weeks from now (If you understood that sentence, you're a better man than I. ) Anyways, I'm breaking in my Speed Gems Pro Amber 17t double right now, and should be ready to install it by next week. It will be geared 18/84, and will be installed with Duratrax PowerPole connectors and, probably, 15-20 degrees of advanced timing. I shaved away part of the gearbox so that I now have room for a short Associated TC3 motor heat sink. I was noticing that the Chameleon 2 Pro was absolutely on fire after a run, so I got this heat sink to avoid frying the nice SGP Amber. I'm also soldering a PowerPole to bullet connector adapter so that I can use the Stinger when I do some beach riding. Soon to be purchased are RPM Talonz or Clawz 2.2 truck rims and some form of paddle tires, probably Proline sand Paws. After the installation of the new wheels, my Bandit will, by all technical aspects, be a Rustler. I'm heading down to San Diego in a week or so, and I'll be racing Greg on the beach, which is why I need both a Stinger and the new wheels so that I can install the paddles. Also, my front Bow Ties are basically slicks now, so I need new tires anyways. I made a big error yesterday by running with the body off in wet conditions, and my LRP Runner shut itself off after realizing that it was wet. I sealed up two empty FET slots with some Shoe Goo, which should help somewhat. For about the billionth time, my output yokes popped off, so I had to reattach them mid-run. Ah, the joys of poor construction. I'll leave you with a picture I took of the Bandit quite the while back. Current Setup of my Traxxas Bandit: Chassis --Cold Fusion Lexan race chassis --RPM wide front bumper --Ofna Antenna Mount --Team Associated battery cups --XTM 5X8 mm steering bearings in bellcranks Body --HPI Nitro MT --or-- --XTM X-Terminator Bi-Level wing Rear Suspension --Rustler rear arms --XX-Long TRX-1 small-bore hard anodized aluminum shocks w/ RPM medium/heavy dual rate pistons and 70wt oil --Traxxas 72 mm adjustable camber links w/ RPM yellow rod ends --Traxxas rear 1.5 degree hub carriers --Team Blue Star and XTM Rubber Sealed 5X11 bearings --RPM Clawz wheels --Proline Gladiator tires Front Suspension --Long TRX-1 small-bore hard anodized aluminum shocks w 3 hole pistons and 70 wt oil --Traxxas 54 mm adjustable camber links w/ RPM yellow rod ends --RPM front 5x11 bearing carriers --Team Blue Star and XTM Rubber Sealed 5X11 Bearings --RPM Clawz wheels --Proline Dirt Hawgs Drivetrain --MIP Shiny CVD (right) Traxxas steel output yoke (left) --Traxxas 25t pinion --Kimborough 84t spur Electronics and Motors --Novak Super Sport brushless system --Airtronics Blazer Sport radio with 92723Z receiver --Traxxas 2055 steering servo