ClodBuster n00b needing help

[Nade23]

Hello everyone,
So I finally found my ClodBuster that my father built for/with me when I was 12 and now I'm 34 so needless to say I have had this for awhile but it's still stock. I would love to start modding this but I have no idea where to start. I just want something that goes faster then stock that I could go over stuff with but nothing crazy. I want to drive it on the street but go in backyard as well on the grass. I still have all original parts that look like they need "help" lol. I think its called the speed servo which looks like it needs grease or something??

Motor upgrade? Battery suggestions?
Everything I want to do I would like to keep simple
Thanks in advance for your help

[Torredo]

Steering can be upgraded by shaving the knuckles to allow for more radius.

Steering bellcranks are garbage - stock

Lockout the rear-steer especially if your after speed.
4WS will only have you dumping it on the roof on corners.

Motors...dont have to go crazy just find a motor such as the TRX Titan 12T, that will do you fine.

Shocks....find 100mm Traxxas Tmaxx shock, those will bolt right up to stock locations

[Nade23]

@Torredo - Thank you for your reply.
Do you have any battery ideas that are good for longer running time and a charger?
What is a reputable website to purchase these items?

Thanks again!

[Torredo]

the higher the MaH the longer runtime, however....also longer chargetimes!
I run a Traxxas micro-charger(comes with the newer stampedes) and its fine!

if you run Lipo's, then thats a new ballgame which i am clueless on. Never got into Lipos.
Aswel as motors...the lower the turn the more juice theyll pull = faster
the higher the Turn the slower the motor and will give you longer runtimes = Torque down low/Crawling

[calcagno45]

If its an old clod, it most likely still has a mechanical speed control. I would upgrade that first. There are quite a few options out there, just depends on what you are looking to spend.

[Torredo]

^^ exactly that!!
when you start running a "hot" motor (lower turn ie: 14t) it will turn that MSC into goo! lol

however...i dont think a 60T motor would hurt it?
with that being said, it still is a good upgrade from MSC to ESC for sure

[calcagno45]

Could probably find a Tracxas EVX2 and a pair of Titan motors for about $50 lightly used. This would mean you need to run 2 stick battery packs instead of one tho.

[Torredo]

no you dont!
EVX2 bridged can run a single 7.2v stickpack

[Nade23]

Money isnt really a problem I'm just not trying to upset the wife. lol
Im looking for speed, power, torque and then still getting to take it to the backyard for some fun on the grass. I also want to be able to run it for more then 5-10mins.
Can you give me a list of stuff to buy and from where to "check the boxes" on that list? :-)

[Kbabiasz]

Originally Posted by Nade23

Money isnt really a problem I'm just not trying to upset the wife. lol
Im looking for speed, power, torque and then still getting to take it to the backyard for some fun on the grass. I also want to be able to run it for more then 5-10mins.
Can you give me a list of stuff to buy and from where to "check the boxes" on that list? :-)

I have 2 traxxas titan 21t motors and a EVX2 esc, truck is super fast, for normal use as a stock clod, I would not recommend anything faster motor wise. It's hard enough to control it as is with these motors in terms of steering and stability You can help the steering issue by locking out the rear steering

I run 2x 7.2v 5000mah nimh batteries, at non stop use, I would say I can easily get 1hour+ out of the batteries.

[Kbabiasz]

Btw, price wise, eBay is prob your best bet for parts

[Kbabiasz]

And if you do go with the traxxis motors and ESC, I would advise as to finding about 2'of wire and bullet connectors, as the motor wires and ESC wires on the traxxis parts are too short to connect in their stock locations

[jakes]

I would go with a traxxas speed control or find a novak super rooster and the titan motors or some 17 turn modified motors

[budhatrain]

I run dual castle creations sidewinders in mine with 5700kv motors. plenty fast and you can use a parallel plug and run a single 2s lipo, (minimum of 35C discharge rate) 5000mah or higher will give you plenty of run time. *** note if you use the new castle Sv2 sidewinders you need to use a 3 channel radio that can mix the aux channel with the throttle channel and run both ESC's to the receiver as opposed to using a y-harness for the dual esc. Also you will have to use the 1.30 beta firmware in the esc (if you don't do this, the motors will cog under acceleration if you only use a single battery for both esc). It sounds complicated but it really isn't. I prefer brushless over brushed in clodbusters any day- way more adjustable. A good starter radio that can mix the aux channel and throttle channel is the spektrum dx3c for $129 new. PM me if you have more questions, I love the clodbusters!

here is how I wired a setup in one of my modified clods:

[jakes]

Man that is a beast. Im sure that truck moves good. Im new to brushless stuff dont know much about it. Still stuck in the old days with brushed stuff. Do brushless motors last longer.

[Josh_Br]

Originally Posted by Nade23

@Torredo - Thank you for your reply.
Do you have any battery ideas that are good for longer running time and a charger?
What is a reputable website to purchase these items?

Thanks again!

I'm 33 and have been back into RC for about a year. I had to learn about LiPos, and am glad I did. They are smaller, lighter, and more powerful then NiMH batteries.

I got a Venom easy-balance charger from RC Planet: Venom 2-4 Cell LiPo Balance Charger (VNR0652) | RC Planet

It works good and didn't cost too much. One note - The balance plug on the charger matches the balance plugs of Venom and Team Associated batteries. However, I have a couple other brands of LiPo batteries too (FlightPower and Team Losi), and I had to get an adapter cable to plug in these batteries. RC Planet didn't know anything about the adapter cable; I found some RC website in FL that was knowledgable and helped me out.

[jakes]

Im 30 and finally getting back into the hobby. Gonna have to start researching all the new info on lipos and brushless power

[Josh_Br]

Originally Posted by jakes

Im 30 and finally getting back into the hobby. Gonna have to start researching all the new info on lipos and brushless power

I also got my first brushless motor and ESC a little while back, in my short course truck. The power and speed over a brushed motor is unbelieveable. It was a little pricy, but the way it moves that truck is incredible.

[budhatrain]

brushless is more efficient, easier to maintain and depending on your ESC has tons of adjustability.

for instance with my race clods... I reduce the brake in the front axles to 30% and keep the rears at 70%- helps whip that rear end around in corners.