Hello all, I'm planning on getting my first rc car. Its gonna be mainly for drifting, but I need some advise. Here's what I want to do:
*get a yokomo drift package (s15 and a AE86 or 180sx body)
*put LEDs for headlights and tail lights

So, here are my questions:
*what is the best motor and esc?
*what type of radio?
*what type of battery and charger?
*do I need separate batteries for the lights?
*can I control the lights from the remote
*how can i make flip lights open and close on the 180sx/AE86?
*where can I find light buckets for the AE86/180sx?

I know I have alot of questions, but can anyone help?
It doesn't have to top of the line parts, but I just want it to be nice and dependable.
Any opinions as to what else I should do to the car are welcome.
Thanks!

Anyone???

Futaba Pistol Grip Controller
Batteries : 3000mah+ Nimh with Compatable Fast Charger with 12Volt Battery Connectors so You can Charge on location (Carpark Drift meets)

Motor Combo: Trinity Komodo 19 T Should do Nicely ( There are so many Possible Motor Combinations but a 27T-19 Turn is Best for Drift)
ESC : LRp 10 Turn ESC or a No limit ESC ( This allows you to run the 19Turns without too much Stress)

I am not to Fond of Yokomo as Its a little Expensive...

is there a certain model of the Futabu that is better? What should I look for in a radio?

I'd go for a good reverse esc - it'll come in handy and it's not so imperative to have such an efficient controller as for grip racing, look for Novak, Tekin, Mtroniks, LRP

Get a tranny with 3 channels if you want to turn lights on/off - I use a Futaba 3PJ, it's a few years old and I got it off ebay from a dude in hong kong but is perfect + not expensive (3PJS was the later version)

...now I'm sure I've seen somewhere an esc manufacturer with a light output - but where?? []

Kev

For the lights, you'll need to get creative and use an extra servo to control the lights. Then you'll need an FM radio so you can use the third channel to flip them up and down and/or turn the LEDs on or off. As for lightbuckets, no one makes AE86 units, but someone in Japan makes a set for the 180SX, but good luck trying to get your hands on them. It took me over a year to get mine and I don't think the guy sells to the US. I got mine from a friend that went to Japan.

for the light buckets (this might sound crazy) u can get real creative and make yor own

But you won't have the ultra 1337 projector style lazy eyed headlights like I do.

u can improvise to make the lazy eyes

The Yokomo 180SX body comes with both full open and lazy eyed buckets. It's just that they aren't the best things to make LED headlights out of. And when the LED's are off, they won't look that good. Also, unlike my buckets, Yokomo doesn't include taillight buckets, so installing lights in the rear would show light scatter.

You can always go to Radio Shack and get those LED dome light things for the taillights. THey worked really well with my HPI FD3S when I had it. Here's a crappy pic I took of it.

Wow, those tail lights looks very nice. Thanks for all the info. I guess I'm gonna have to do some heavy digging for them light buckets.

dude those taillights are bihcting