What’s the minimum amount of servo torque needed to ensure excellent steering performance on a 1/8 scale buggy? Is it best to stay at a 100 oz-in and above? Is it a waste of money to get up into the 180-200 oz-in servo range?

I went for http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXTT12&P=ML because it was fast and has a nice ammount of torque. Some may argue it's not enough but I think a buggy is light enough to be able to use that....

If you ever plan on putting it in a MT get this as it's not much slower http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXTT13&P=ML

I have an airtronics 359 and 200oz is just hype. Once that buggy is throttled back, there is almost no friction on the front end. I might ruffle some feathers, but I can't tell too much of a difference between the 359 and my old hitec 645mg (on the track). That .10 sec isn't as fast as I would like though so I might go for something in the .07 @125oz.

I'm considering the following servos and wanted to make sure I was'nt buying more servo than I really needed; they're essentially the same servos you've recommended except with heatsink cases. If some consider your 125 oz-in steering servo to be on the low-end, I guess those same people would say I'm not too far off the mark with the servos I'm looking at.

Airtronics 94360Z High Speed Servo with Heatsink, for (Throttle/Brake)
http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...oducts_id=2455

Airtronics 94359Z High Torque Servo with Heatsink, for (Steering)
http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...oducts_id=2454

Like stated, when your buggy is in motion your front wheels can walk around pretty fast I would maybe consider two 125oz at .07sec. Unless you're running in a ground like thick grass where you're going to be pushing the ground to turn, you won't need much.

When it comes to servos for competition it pays to not screw around... get the best you can afford and go digital. Its not just torque, but holding power and frame rate.
High performance digital servos are well worth the coin as they will hold better and center better than analog.
Buy a 125oz servo and you will end up cursing yourself when it dumps...just my personal opinion (based on experience).

No one really cares about deadband in 1/8 offroad. Sounds to me like this guy wants something that will last a while.

Mrfranchize02,
You've hit the nail on the head, durability and long service life are key issues for me. I'll be running the buggy on both dirt and grass, so I'm willing to give up a bit of fine servo control if it pays dividends in long-term durability. Do you think the Airtronics servos I'm considering, 94360Z throttle/brake and 94359Z steering, will fit the bill? Thanks.

I stuck my old handy dandy hitec 645mg on my throttle and the 359 on the steering. If I could go back, I would probably use two airtronic 360s, but since you'll be running on grass you might as well get as much steering torq as you can.

i just put a hi tec 925 in my kanai 3 for steering and there is more then enough power and speed for bashing and racing imo

Hey... Not to change the topic.... but in your pic, I can see the fuel line from the tank to the carb, and the pressure line from the exhaust to the tank. But what is that 3rd peice of fuel tubing sticking straight up and capped off? What is it for?

boost bottle line.
(?)

Are you referring to the handle he created? It makes for faster pit stops when you have something to grab onto to lift the tank lid for refueling. Usually just a plastic zip tie with fuel tubing over it.

Those 2 servos are perfect. You cannot have too much torque for steering. Remember, a 200oz servo can take a better bashing plus you can tighten the servo saver with a higher torque servo allowing for better fine control.

I have and probably will never get a hiTec there are simply to many problems with them from what i heard and read. it is the luck of the batch with those.
The Airtronics, you do not get those complaints. You do get what what you paid for. Also, look at rc-mushroom i believe they sell those 2 cheaper than most places under the brand Sanwa/airtronics

my hitecs work fine so far not a problem ive had more problems with my LSTs radio (JR) than the mass's or terms(hitec)

Yea, thats my EZ tank opener. I have big clumsy hands so I had to make it EZ to grip.

A hobbystore in London took advantage of me being a n00b a while ago and sold me a 9303(100oz,0.18s) futaba for 60quid and the newer and better version has the same price as I found out later.I could of bought an airtronics one with the same money[:@].That's why I was hating going to hobby stores[:'(]

The only thing I buy from my LHS is fuel/fuel tubing, everything else I buy online. And be sure to use this forum to help you find the absolute lowest price and newest products out there.

ive had no problems with my hitec 645mg in my emaxx, so i just ordered a pair of them for the buggy. I figure it if can turn the Imex swampdawgs on maximizer beadlocks on any surface with the weight of the max pressing down on it, then i cant imagine it having any problems with the buggy.