new SP owner

[cdog4w]

Just won an SP off ebay and now I need to outfit it. I have a mini-x but I don't really want to strip it of electronics since it serves a different role than the SP (4WD, more rugged outdoor driving). So I'm going to need the basics like bearings, and then electronics. I'm following some things on ebay to hopefully make this a cheap venture (I'm not ready to spend more than $50-75 yet, tho I will complete the car at a later date if it will be more expensive).

1. I saw at horizonhobby that the bearings for the SP are flanged, so can I use the (cheaper) mini-x bearings (same size) even though they're not flanged? Would this be a bad idea even if it would work, ie. lower quality bearing?

2. A more general electronics question, how important is receiver quality? Most are pretty expensive, around $60 retail, but the mini-x receiver can be bought for $30 and is quite small. I obviously already have a matching radio (futaba from here) so that would be nice and the price is right, but I don't want to buy a sub par component if I can help it.

3. Everyone seems to love the hitec servos, so I was planning on getting one somewhere in the HS-50 to HS-81MG range (since all the models in between seem to be around the same size and would work) depending on the cost of it and other components.

4. It seems that the novak spy is the ESC of choice. The LRP Quantum Reverse is supposed to be awesome but is way out of my pricerange. Anyone have experience with the Team Orion Flash ESC? Would I be better off getting a spy for a bit more money? There's also the IPD R-18 which comes highly recommended and is very affordable, but I'm not sure if I can run w/o reverse yet :P The mini-x is my first RC so I'm still learning how to drive.

5. Lastly I could stick my budget easily by picking up the whole mini-x electronics package for $50 and get the $4 extra 2 fets to upgrade the ESC. I haven't found any stats on the frequency, resistance or amp handling of this ESC, anyone know? Anyone think this is a stupid way to cut costs?

I know I've asked some questions that have come up on the board already, but most of the posts are pretty old and things do change :P Thanks.

[gertman]

I going to work backwards:

5. I think the Mini-x electronics are of very low quality and that is why they are so cheap.....if you want to do this car right, don't use that stuff.

4. I have not had experience with the other esc's you mention BUT I would still reccomend the Novack SPY.

3. In case you don't know, the MG stands for metal gears and I would higly reccomend this for the ABC expecially since you are low on RC experience.

2. VERY!!! Let me ask you this, how important is it if you loose signal and your cars goes full throttle into a wall? Also your ABC is going to be VERY fast aka need a radio / reciever with pretty good range.

1. No, sorry regular bearings are NOT interchangable with flanged ones.

Hope I've helped. ;)

[cdog4w]

Definitely, thanks. Now I just need to pick up some quality parts on ebay, or wait until I can afford them retail :P

Makes me want to get the IPD R-18 even tho it has no reverse because its cheaper than the reversing ESC and would fit my budget better (and is a good ESC by all accounts).

I've been running the mini-x servo (supposedly a hitec HS-50 or 55) hard, even cracked my lexan body in multiple places while running in the kitchen, and I've had no trouble so far. So I think I'd be safe with any of those servos. Whats the dif between them all in that range? They all look to be the same size.

You've convinced me on Rx, but now what is the dif between AM/FM? FM seems to be more expensive for the Tx, but at this scale, the Rx don't seem to be much more expensive...

Anywhere to get the SP bearings cheaper than horizon ($30 for the set of 7)?

Thanks again. I've been minorly obsessed for the last few days, searching for parts etc.

[cdog4w]

Can you use DRR wheels on the DTM SP? I was specifically looking at these: http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/products/description.asp?prod=DYN8206

Probably don't need them and I won't be able to justify spending money on them for a while since I still need electronics but... mmm look nice.

EDIT: Actually, isn't aluminum pretty soft? Is it an alum alloy or something so that it doesn't scratch easily? If not, it'd look pretty but could be a waste of money if you ever take it outside.

[avenan]

DRR have the same size axle as the SP. The problem is, the DRR uses non-flanged bearings, while (as you know) the DTM uses flanged. They will fit.

I haven't used the aluminum rims.

[cdog4w]

So to use DRR rims, I'd have to use unflanged bearings is what you're saying? How many of the bearings would that influence? I know the full kit is 7 flanged bearings, I'd assume 6 are for the wheels and one for the diff maybe?

[potentiality]

you would need 4 for the front.

Other than looks, I don't see the advantage in running aluminum. I would stick with the abc rims, and just use rit dye to color them how you like (assuming they offer a whiter rim).

[cdog4w]

I wanted to thank you guys for your advice and give an update. I picked up a used DRR on ebay mostly because it came with a Spy. It also came with a Team Orion Mod Motor. Doubt that will fit the SP motor mount since its round bell. So that covers ESC. For the servo, I'm going to try to use the DRR servo. For Rx I ended up just ordering the Futaba 2PL which comes with a medium sized Rx (1.65" long) which should do ok. The Tx has the added advantage of being computerized with model memory so I can use it on my mini-x as well. I also ended up ordering those duratrax 3x6 flanged bearings from tower that I posted about in another thread.

Still waiting for the stuff to arrive, I will post results when I get it running if anyone is interested.