Aftershock Electric conversion, who's done it?

[CICreations]

So I've decided to convert my Losi Aftershock LE over to electric. Nitro was a cool learing experience, but it just adds an element of hassle that I don't want to be bothered with any longer. That is coupled with the fact that I live in the Mojave desert so temperatures are a concern. I do have some questions/concerns before I commit and start pulling everything Nitro off the truck so if anyone has already done this conversion and can lend some advice, please chime in.

Motor:
Of course Losi recommends their brushless motor/ESC combo, but I was looking at the Neu Castle 1600kv brushless motor and Mamba monster ESC. With the $60 savings on Tower Hobbies, it's hard to ignore the price difference between the 2 combos. I can't find any documentation on the physical size of the Losi Xcelorin motor to know if the Neu Castle motor will fit with no problems or modifications required. I'll pay the extra for the Losi setup if it's a simple pop and swap, but if the Castle will drop in just as easy I would rather go with that setup.

Transmission
The conversion instructions seem to retain the 2-speed transmission. Is this a good idea? Pros/Cons to staying with the 2-speed on electric? Should I be looking at a single speed transmission?

Brakes
The conversion instructions also seem to retain the servo and mechanical brakes. I've been scratching my head over this one for a while now. All of my existing electric trucks use the brushless motor for braking. What is the reason for keeping the mechanical breaks on the conversion? Also, how would you put the truck into reverse if mechanical brakes are going to engage if you push out on the transmitter trigger?? I'm really confused over that one.

Again I appreciate any help from anyone that has done this conversion already. I've tried finding a number for someone at Losi that works in product development perhaps to get some answers straight from the source, but everything links you to horizon hobby, and although they are helpful, they simply don't have the hands on experience with the product. Google searches are hit or miss. I really want to do my homework on this before shelling out the bills. I'm excited at the idea of creating an electric low-hassle 1/8 scale MT with all the durability of the aftershock, with none of the fuss of Nitro. My hope is that this will be my go-to truck that does a little of everything. Again thanks for any assistance you guys can provide!

-Jason

[CICreations]

Pics of what??

[CICreations]

Wow, lots of activity on the ole' Losi forums huh?

[CICreations]

I haven't done the conversion yet?? What the.....are you messing with me?? lol I'm hoping to get some questions answered so I can do the conversion.

[axial28rr]

check this thrend out more then 100 conversions http://lstforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=12448

[Grundy86]

As far as motor/esc setups... theres plenty of that on lstforums.com

But to answer your brake and 2sp questions.

Yes the losi kit retains the 2spd and mechanical breaks... its the cheapest route... Since it retains the stock spur gears/owb ... engine braking would have no effect on the truck at all.

Most pple convert to a single pinion and go from there.. because a 2spd isn't really necessary.

[acewelderman]

My bud did an XXL convertion (same as yours) Use the losi convertion kit But put a mamba esc & motor in place of the losi gear. You MUST use gray slippers (for XXL) ti ni ring & pinions also mandatory! Tops out about 60 mph!! Also broke many out drives before discovering losi make heavy duty stuff for the 8 that will fix this problem . Very fast Very costly ..we have around 1200 into it.....but worth it!...............Oh yeh ti ni trans gears also.You cant go half way with this convertion EVERYTHING must be heavy duty as it can get.Good luck........ACE
Look on utube for nitro verses electric.

[Neobart]

I first played around with running the 2speed and mechanical brakes.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/neobart/E-XXL%20Conversion/IMG_4630.jpg

I decided against that in the end though.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/neobart/E-XXL%20Conversion/IMG_4647.jpg

The fitment of the battery/ESC tray is not really that good. The top part of the tray had to be forced/twisted to the left side of the truck to clear the top of the motor mount.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/neobart/E-XXL%20Conversion/IMG_4661.jpg

Not of that mattered though, since I did this to it. Much cleaner looking, better airflow over the motor and the weight is better sitributed. Not to mention I didn't like the idea of the ESC being on the highest point on the truck. I don't have a rollbar, and don't plan on using the ESC as one. :cool:

Note: This is a XXL chassis, so the battery tray up front will be harder to do on non-XXL trucks.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/neobart/E-XXL%20Conversion/IMG_4666.jpg

[acewelderman]

It looks to me that the dual battery tray is one backwards.We had ZERO fitement problem. Never even touches mounts. I will get some pics soon. Good luck.....ACE

[Neobart]

No it was on the right way, there's only one way it can fit, which was badly on my truck.

[acewelderman]

Looks good Neobart, I like the way it looks in the last pic. ;) BTW, isn't it a 'single' battery tray anyway ? :D

Sorry guys but the double tray behind the motor is a double tray! My friend has both so he can place batteries for weight displacement.You can put two in the back or one in each.I took a picture buy wont load.Will try again He had to put longer velcrow straps in it to run double LiPos in the back.
Good luck ...just trying to help

[sho66a]

The kit should fit perfectly they just did a spread in rc magazine and it is a double tray for the battery and you do need to upgrade the parts that take all the torque. But it doesn't cost $1200 you can do it with high end everything and hit 65 mph for about $600 and that includes a rollcage cause you wil need it until you get the hang of the new power and quickness

[acewelderman]

The kit should fit perfectly they just did a spread in rc magazine and it is a double tray for the battery and you do need to upgrade the parts that take all the torque. But it doesn't cost $1200 you can do it with high end everything and hit 65 mph for about $600 and that includes a rollcage cause you wil need it until you get the hang of the new power and quickness

Lets se...HMMMM the XXL 600.00The losi kit 120.00 The mamba motor & esc300.00 2 5s lipos 200.00each.....1120.00 pretty close!Add tax & your at 1200.00 This was all done but the owner of my LHS its HIS truck so its done right.

[CICreations]

The kit should fit perfectly they just did a spread in rc magazine and it is a double tray for the battery and you do need to upgrade the parts that take all the torque

What parts are you referring to? Diffs? Trany gears?

[mrsmartjohnson]

Lets se...HMMMM the XXL 600.00The losi kit 120.00 The mamba motor & esc300.00 2 5s lipos 200.00each.....1120.00 pretty close!Add tax & your at 1200.00 This was all done but the owner of my LHS its HIS truck so its done right.

I am seriously thinking of doing this conversion also when my 454 dies! Luckily I only paid $305 shipped to my door for my XXL and it only had 2 tanks run through it and i'm still breaking it in (now has aprox 1 gallon thru her and still seems to be developing more power with each tank as I have to lean it out just a little bit with each new full tank of fuel)! So I think the previous poster was assuming if you already owned your XXL or Aftershock (which is quite a bit less than the XXL) and then did the conversion it would be less than the $1200! I have some friends on LSTFORUMS.COM that have done some absolute awesome conversions that have me considering doing it too, although I don't know a lot about BL and LIPOS power! Actually thinking about a 6S LIFE instead of a 5S Lipo for better run times, safer charging, less money and a 5 year full unconditional battery replacement warranty! A 6S LIFE should have a tad bit more voltage than a 5S Lipo! 6S lipo is just too much I think, Personally and a lot more money to Boot!

[CICreations]

My bud did an XXL convertion (same as yours) Use the losi convertion kit But put a mamba esc & motor in place of the losi gear. You MUST use gray slippers (for XXL) ti ni ring & pinions also mandatory! Tops out about 60 mph!! Also broke many out drives before discovering losi make heavy duty stuff for the 8 that will fix this problem . Very fast Very costly ..we have around 1200 into it.....but worth it!...............Oh yeh ti ni trans gears also.You cant go half way with this convertion EVERYTHING must be heavy duty as it can get.Good luck........ACE
Look on utube for nitro verses electric.

If you could expand on the upgraded parts that are needed to handle the electric conversion that would really help some of us from having to go through the same problems.