Hotled

I'm a newb when it comes to trucks and cars, I used to fly a ton of r/c planes though.

I'm looking at a ECX circuit 2wd and would like to know your thoughts and suggestions.

I am sure I would probably go 2c lipo upgrade, but unsure after that.
What I want it for is general street and some offroad dirt fun. Just wondering how much I would have to upgrade it to get good power for some wheelie action and jumps,
or should I be looking at a different model.

Max I wanna spend is around 250 so I'm limited.

DieHarder

HPI E-Firestorm. Spend another $50 on a Gens Ace 2S 5000mah 40C and a decent $50 charger. You'll have to up your budget for all this though, but I assure you, it's a lot more fun!

Hotled

Sorry I could only wish but that almost doubles my budget.

RustyUs

Welcome to RCU, Hotled.

The ECX will need to be upgraded quite a bit to be able to handle a powerful enough motor to do what you want with it i.e. wheelies. I don't know much about the ECX stadium truck, but I do know that it comes with a tranny filled with plastic gears; which is why a mild motor is included in the RTR package. Upgrading the Circuit to get the performance you want would probably require a good 3900kv, or greater, brushless motor along with a 2S LiPo pack/7 cell NiMh battery. But before the motor/battery upgrade you would need the metal gear set for the tranny to handle the power.

I think the HPI E Firestorm Flux is a great deal with what is included in that RTR package, but if out of you budget...take a look at the $249.99 Arrma Vortexs BLS. I don't have any first hand experience with them...just do some research and look at/read some reviews of any particular RC you plan to get.

EXT2Rob

My Feedback: (1)

You gotta have the right tools for the right job. Literally and figuratively. Adjust your budget, or adjust your aim.

If your main thing is to try RC cars for cheap, Tamiya has come out with a "street version" of a stadium truck that is well under your budget. The Acroshot I think it's called. While it comes with a brushed motor, the ESC is brushless ready and set up for Lipo. Then when you want more speed, you can plop in a mild brushless motor. I'd suggest ditching the cheap Tamiya battery connector tho, for something more worthy, like a Traxxas or Deans.

Hotled

Thank you all for the input. Very informative for a newbie.
I have been doing some reading and it seems like the only downfall to the Firestorm is a plastic spur gear that tends to wear? And I have been looking for spare part availability.
My buddy has 2 nitro Traxxas Rustlers and they make an electric version I guess all the parts are interchangeable.
My most important goal is for this thing to be rugged and when it does have something wrong I want to be able to order parts for it inside the USA.

Hotled

I have decided to save a little cash up so I can just get something nice.
I have pretty much decided on the HPI E-Firestorm Flux- Now to find a dealer.
Wanna suggest a couple LIPO's and charger?

DieHarder

E-Firestorm - http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXFCTA&P=ML

Venom Lipo - http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXYKT5&P=ML

Onyx Charger - http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXAGUG&P=ML

Save $49 on your order with coupon code: 510AR

Hotled

I guess everyone agrees with the suggested Lipo and charger setup suggested by DieHarder? I was hoping for a little cheaper setup since I'm stretching my budget as it is.

RustyUs

LOL. I normally agree with DieHarder, but I know I could chop the price in half (at least) for a good LiPo and charger. But I don't want to talk someone into buying re-branded RC accessories/chargers. Playing it safe and paying for a well known name brand battery might be what you want though.

Hotled

xx

RustyUs

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...ase_Packs.html
http://www.smc-racing.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=67_78&product_id=247
http://spcracingbatteries.com/
That's just a few other sites to look for batteries that won't be so harsh on the wallet.

DieHarder

Rusty is on the right track. What I suggested was high-end stuff and known branded, figured it would be easy and simple for the average beginner. Sorry about that, I wasn't trying to lead you on to getting ripped off. If it were me, I'd buy the SMC battery that Rusty linked, much better deal. The charger is good though. Venom sells a couple worth a look, but either way on that, you'll end up spending $100 total for a charger. Hobbypartz.com has some cheaper chargers that are good if you really want to cut back. Keep in mind, the high end stuff is priced high for a reason. It's nice equipment.

Hotled

Thanks for all the help Rusty and DieHarder, it is much appreciated.
I will probably get the car and charger from Tower but the batteries from SMC because I want 3 packs.
Just trying to figure out what else I may need to order so I can get going and not have any down time, common repair parts, battery leads anything you can think of?

RustyUs

Did you order that HPI E Firestorm Flux? I didn't know if you had other codes to use in case you decided to not get an item you had in your shopping cart. 'Cause you could try codes from helpful forum member, kistner..... 011J6 for $52 off a $399 purchase; 011J5 (worked for me) for $39 off a $299 purchase.

Hotled

I am composing a list as I place orders right now Rusty, I held off on ordering until today as there are a few extra parts I want or may need.
I said to heck with the budget and get what I want since today is my 50th birthday!
I am still undecided about a battery charger???

RustyUs

I'm a little bummed now. I see Amain Hobbies has the Associated T4.2FT at a crazy price of $179 as of this morning! I'm in no way saying a T4.2 will compare in durability to an E Firestorm for bashability. I'm just saying more for myself... I was on the fence about getting another one for spare parts at that price (I just finished a rebuild of someone else's botched up build of a new T4.2 FT off of eBay auction). But they didn't offer free shipping...$13.75 for shipping at the moment. Also, I'm guessing they will be sold out be the end of the day. After I get home from family gathering tonight/today I will look again. I keep telling myself I got to practice better self control, as I have a tendency to go nuts when an item, that is on my wish list, drops in price drastically.

RustyUs

Awesome present to self! Happy 50th! You got a couple of years on me, but I'm catching up .
I am guessing you want the simplicity of an AC/DC charger that you can just plug into an outlet around the house?

Hotled

Ya around the house probably as long as it balances, i just don't want a 50.00 frydaddy lol been there with my planes a few years back.
But I was looking at the Venom 2-4 Cell AC/DC LiPo Battery Balance Charger

RustyUs

I'm gonna just show you one example of what a sticker can do....
$22.75 charger....http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...y_Charger.html
$49.99 same charger with another brand sticker on it....http://www.horizonhobby.com/multirot...rger-p-vnr0683

That's just the "tip of the iceberg" when it comes to RC gear that's out there, and why I wouldn't pay $90 for a charger that doesn't even offer a discharge mode setting.

RustyUs

LOL...I think you posted your last post as I was searching for links and just so happens you are probably talking about the charger that I linked from Horizon Hobby.

Hotled

yup same one!
Heard anything about it?
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LNEVDY

RustyUs

I'm sure it's a fine charger. I'll let you do a little homework and research of some reviews.

Would I buy one? No, only because the specs won't allow the charger to charge a higher capacity pack in a timely fashion.

RustyUs

Let's just say you have a 5000mah LiPo pack...if you have any hopes of charging the pack in an hour... you will need a charger that will deliver at least 5 amp charging rate and 37watts of power. I would say if you are planning on just 2S LiPo packs... find a charger with at least 50 watts of power and at least a 5amp maximum charge rate. That would do you just fine...as long as the charger has a "storage mode" function (most do, but some don't).

Watts Needed (37) = Battery Voltage (7.4) x Charging Amps (5)

Watts=Volts x Amps

And someday if you decide to get a 3S 5000mah LiPo (11.1volts) pack, you would need a charger with 55.5 watts of power to charge the pack @ 5amps to achieve an approx. 1 hour charging time.

RustyUs

Sorry, I'm not trying to confuse you on the charger issue, I'm just trying to see that you get something that you won't be disappointed with. My best guess would be that that Venom charger would be a let down for you with only a 3 amp maximum charge rate.