Thanks for the great details. We picked up a motor mount from eBay, and a used battery tray from the local track.

Starting from scratch, we had to buy a motor (Feigao for around $80), the NEU being the motor of choice but it runs for around $240 list price and seems to be in short supply as they (NEU) are ramping up with this segment of the market?????? (NEU seems to be big in the RC airplane world).

Various other parts on the way, steering servo, BEC etc etc.....

Then there's the new tires and rims, body, we didnt have an 1/8th scale to begin with, this project would be a lot easier for existing Nitro owners as many of the basics would be in place.

The Mod1 pinions seem to be the suggested gears of choice, and although they are said to work with the stock metal spurs, the Kyosho 46 plastic spur seems to be the most recommended for best pinion wear. The hardened pinions at $12 or $13 each plus mailing vs $5 for the plastic spur which is also said to hold up very well. Running with the plastic spur, there is also some doubt the extra expense of the hardened pinions are required, and regular steel pinions will work OK.

Of course, once we actually get to powered testing, performance on the track under race conditions will be the proof in the pudding.

The guys at the www.RCProductDesigns.com Forum have LOTS of experience and have helped us out a great deal on shortening the learning curve. In the "Washtenaw Track" section are results from the 1/8th scale rigs under race conditions on a small indoor track and running 5 minute races. The outdoor race conditions being another story with bigger tracks and longer races making heat management, batteries, and gearing all more intense and needing careful attention.

We hope to run for the first time next weekend, will update with more details and lessons learned as we get to actually rolling on the track condition.

I'm REALLY curious how hard we can push the Traxxas VXL ESC and how it will perform compared to the MM.