VP Portals: Adding brass

[bergie402]

Hi guys. Ok so I went big with my SCX10 II raw build and ordered up the VP portals. Gulp!!!! My question is: With the higher CG, what’s the best way to add brass to this setup? I know what options are out there, just not sure what will work with the portals. I’d like to stay away from wheel weights if possible. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

[elRayRay]

Originally Posted by bergie402

Hi guys. Ok so I went big with my SCX10 II raw build and ordered up the VP portals. Gulp!!!! My question is: With the higher CG, what’s the best way to add brass to this setup? I know what options are out there, just not sure what will work with the portals. I’d like to stay away from wheel weights if possible. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

I hope you got in on the 20% off sale last week! I'm unaware of any brass upgrades that are VP portal-compatible. No axle tubes, knuckles, lockouts, or c-hubs. I would consider the overdrive gearset for the front, though. I wouldn't worry too much about "adding brass" until you get them on and take it for a drive. The aluminum axle housings, not to mention the portal boxes, will add a considerable amount of weight in ideal locations compared to the AR44's. Sure, you're raising the CoG with the portals, the compromise for the added clearance and gear reduction.

[bergie402]

I actually did get in on the sale elRayRay. Otherwise my wife would’ve kicked me out!! That’s a valid point regarding the added weight of the axles themselves. And I did invest in the OD gears for the front, as you suggested. I was concerned about turning the dang thing!! Lol

I appreciate your input sir. If you’ve got any other suggestions or recommendations I’d love to hear ‘em. I’m about 20 years removed from RC (brand new to crawling), and things have changed just a bit! Thanks again!

[mewalsh100]

Not sure about knuckle weights, etc for the VP Portals. But, you could go with some brass Beef Patty wheel hexes/scale rotors and get some additional weight in a simple, cost effective way. (they're also available in Aluminum if you determine you just want to add a little bit more weight). Being right on the axle versus out on the perimeter of the wheel, they won't over-stress your drivetrain either. Plus side - they're good for scale points at comps as well.

https://www.rpphobby.com/product_p/bt005hb.htm

https://www.rpphobby.com/product_p/bt005ha.htm

[elRayRay]

Originally Posted by bergie402

I actually did get in on the sale elRayRay. Otherwise my wife would’ve kicked me out!! That’s a valid point regarding the added weight of the axles themselves. And I did invest in the OD gears for the front, as you suggested. I was concerned about turning the dang thing!! Lol

I appreciate your input sir. If you’ve got any other suggestions or recommendations I’d love to hear ‘em. I’m about 20 years removed from RC (brand new to crawling), and things have changed just a bit! Thanks again!

I've been out of the hobby for a while myself. My very first job, nearly 30 years ago, was at a hobby shop with a banked indoor carpet track. Back in the RC10T, JRX-T era. Carbon fiber 10th-scale pan cars with tedious ball diffs, 64p gears, and Chevy Lumina NASCAR bodies.

Originally Posted by mewalsh100

Not sure about knuckle weights, etc for the VP Portals. But, you could go with some brass Beef Patty wheel hexes/scale rotors and get some additional weight in a simple, cost effective way. (they're also available in Aluminum if you determine you just want to add a little bit more weight). Being right on the axle versus out on the perimeter of the wheel, they won't over-stress your drivetrain either. Plus side - they're good for scale points at comps as well.

https://www.rpphobby.com/product_p/bt005hb.htm

https://www.rpphobby.com/product_p/bt005ha.htm

Forgot about the Beef Patties! Also maybe the KNK brass hexes. If you've got SLW-compatible wheels, the SSD Brass Wheel Hubs, and Wheel Hubs with Brake Rotor would add a bit, too. The wheel's offset will be important here, though.