ViperX-Maxx (8S) build

[NBViper]

The only other stock item that needs to be modified is the top brace. It has a cross-member that the original battery leads were held in place by. So I hacked it off to allow the motor to clear.


If you are keeping count, I've only modified 3 items (mounts and brace). Not too bad I think.

Now to put everything else back. Re-installed the brace, attached the Castle XL2 ESC to the custom plate and connected all the wires.


And again, here is the final product!


If you are wondering, the installed Pinion is a 30T, the 35T also fits.

Still left to do is
- Find some longer screws to better secure the motor mounts
- Check the gear meshing
- And of course have fun and take lots of videos!!!

Also, the hope here is to improve some of the pieces to this build. For example: custom machined motor mounts, better XL2 mounting plate, shorten the cables and whatever else doesn't hold on.

[powerpickle]

I commend what your doing,you are making your project come to fruition.
I have a question though based on what I am seeing.
The motor mount has one screw and the rest of the support and alignment will be zip ties?

[NBViper]

I commend what your doing,you are making your project come to fruition.
I have a question though based on what I am seeing.
The motor mount has one screw and the rest of the support and alignment will be zip ties?

Good question, the motor mounts have a concave bottom that hugs the motor, keeping it in place. So the zip ties are pulling the motor down into the mounts, not allowing it to shift left or right. Also, I can capture 2 additional screw holes on the front of the motor, which I will do tomorrow.

However, this is a VERY TEMPORARY solution. Machined mounts will have to made to better capture the motor.

[rizz0d]

i was going to comment about the center of gravity going up by raising the ESC like that, but gravity will be the least of your problems when that motor comes alive lol. great work and thanks documenting it for us.

[NBViper]

Thanks! The ESC is pretty light weight, especially compared to the motor.

[powerpickle]

Good question, the motor mounts have a concave bottom that hugs the motor, keeping it in place. So the zip ties are pulling the motor down into the mounts, not allowing it to shift left or right. Also, I can capture 2 additional screw holes on the front of the motor, which I will do tomorrow.

However, this is a VERY TEMPORARY solution. Machined mounts will have to made to better capture the motor.

Ok sweet! Surely that will prevent any torque rotation.
I will be looking for updates!

[benster1]

Wow!! That thing should be assembled at area 51 man!! CIA stuff going on at your place!! Hahajaj

[STW1974]

Great build, I didn't expect it to come together so quick as it did. Now looking forward to see it run and maybe some speed and temp results, plus see how it holds together. Well done great job

[ReglarGuy]

Nice looking job.

What you can't see is that I had to raise the mounts off of the bottom about 1/4 inch.

How did you do that? Did you make a spacer-plate, or did you use stand-offs?

[NBViper]

Ill take the rear end off to show this a little better. I may have to do one more slight alteration to the chassis to allow for better gear meshing as well.

[Gizmo1988]

When you gonna quit teasing us and show us a video ��

[NBViper]

One word... WOW!!! Videos will be up tonight.

[John McClane]

now.. upload now

Do you think the new leopard motors on kershaw's site will be a better match with a higher kv at 8s?

also please upload the data log from the xl2 thanks!

[SkidMan]

One word... WOW!!! Videos will be up tonight.

[TwzteD]

hureeee lol

[dwilli9013]

Great build can't wait to see it run.

[Wolfslash16]

Sorry to undermine! Found the videos already!

Thanks for posting! It looks great!

EDIT: He posted them below

[NBViper]

Here are the videos. My 6 year old was video taping, don't mind the commentary

6S power

[NBViper]

Then what you've been waiting for... 8S

[NBViper]

And another at 8S

[dwilli9013]

Epic just Epic. Thanks for letting the little guy participate in this great endeavor. WOT looks hard to control. Did you suffer any breakage. Or all good?

[Jimdog]

Nice! If I get one I might end up doing this.

[SkidMan]

Next upgrade:

wheelie bar!!!!

[TwzteD]

what were temps like? im sure they were not high at all, looks like 6s is good upgrade without it being way over powered. really makes me wonder how the stock motor will do on 8s, prob will over heat but if there is no issues i think that would be a good way to go also. Traxxas lists the xmax system for 500$ wonder if you can get 400$ for it and pretty much pay for the 2028 upgrade. Glad nothing broke, you will end up finding out what the weak parts are sooner than later. Got any nice dirt spots to run it in?

[antignis]

That looks awesome, but i don't see how it can be controllable at all...

[Jezza]

Wow that 8s power is just insane.....lots of torque indeed...

[NBViper]

Here are the last few steps if the modification.

Modification to the chassis was required to allow the motor to move left to right for proper gear meshing.


I used a few 5/16 nuts to raise the stock motor mounts up (again, this is temporary until new motor mounts are made)


Here is the height of the raised motor. This is the minimum height required to clear the rest of the chassis.

[NBViper]

what were temps like? im sure they were not high at all, looks like 6s is good upgrade without it being way over powered. really makes me wonder how the stock motor will do on 8s, prob will over heat but if there is no issues i think that would be a good way to go also. Traxxas lists the xmax system for 500$ wonder if you can get 400$ for it and pretty much pay for the 2028 upgrade. Glad nothing broke, you will end up finding out what the weak parts are sooner than later. Got any nice dirt spots to run it in?

Temps were neglectable, barely warm to the touch. For reference, it was in the low 40s outside today.

[NBViper]

I purposely had the "Punch Control" set to 0% in these videos, to show the torque this combination produces. Going forward, I will be sure to enable it.

And yes, a wheelie bar would help.

The only damage that occurred was to the rear end of the cover. (same on the other side)

Small hole in the corner

[Ray00Ray]

Does the Self Rightening still work? Awesome build though!

[NBViper]

Does the Self Rightening still work? Awesome build though!

Yes, it does... but I won't do it again. I self-righted on 6S and the truck basically righted itself with one throttle/break cycle. I cringed when it did it. Way too much power!!!

[Jebusr1]

Man I really want to do this to my x-maxx! That's just insane

[Wolfslash16]

Yes, it does... but I won't do it again. I self-righted on 6S and the truck basically righted itself with one throttle/break cycle. I cringed when it did it. Way too much power!!!

Ha ha ha that's nuts!

[FatWheels]

Great build but looks like way too much power and difficult to control. Need a vid in a wide open space good luck!

[udluuz]

Nice build!

[Killroy]

So a 4s will fit stock trays.

[NBViper]

So a 4s will fit stock trays.

Yes, there are a few that will fit. Just need to verify dimensions.

[NBViper]

Castle XL2 Settings:
One thing to note if using the Castle XL2, you will need to reverse the direction of the motor using the Castle Link adapter. If you simply reverse the channel via the Traxxas App, you will only have 50% power going forward (which is the default Reverse power limit) and 100% power in Reverse. Which I learned is good for reverse wheelies.

[NBViper]

Also, please note that I don't typically drive like I did in the videos... This was me showing off the crazy power this setup offers!!!

[Jebusr1]

People on the xmaxx facebook page don't understand why somebody needs that much power. I say it should have came with it stock! Big truck needs big power