Kagama Horatio's Kraton 6S EXB V6 Build

[Partydaz]

I hear skate park and felt a bit sick , tried the whole skate park thing.. nah not for me too many body slams on concrete fudge up a few of my rigs . Glad you got out alive

 

[Horatio]

The camera appears to have been properly fried by the heat!

Edit: or to be precise - the forward facing screen, which houses the USB C and SD card.

This makes transferring the files on internal storage very difficult - because 60% of the way through transferring the files - the camera's battery decided it was flat.

Not ideal - as there isn't a way to charge it other than through the forward facing screen. DJI is a PITA.

 

[Horatio]

Righto - camera has survived the rigours of record breaking temps and has now unlocked itself. Phew! It lives!

Here is the ultimate high-speed proving ground. The perfect oval raceway for RC cars.

Sand.

Gravel.

High speed grassy banks!!

Ridiculously unforgiving metal skate ramps.

This entire process will be repeated with the EXB.

The XTR performed flawlessly without a single mechanical issue. This was quite the shakedown.

Then, a high speed finish, ripping around a Government carpark! Lots of drifting and opposite lock. Obviously no gyros were used for this. The way God intended....

Yes, this was quite the bash spot, with many people popping over and asking - how fast is that thing!!! What is it!!!

So now I have the perfect excuse to do the whole thing all over. I literally can't wait to rip the EXB around here.

 

[KnowAir]

But can you guess how much heavier?

Closest to actual gets bragging rights!

5555g

 

[Horatio]

5555g

You win a prize for stating the EXB is 5555g heavier.

That's about right to be fair!

You win - A hallucinogenic Cabbage!

 

[Horatio]

 

[BashingBrian]

Told you EXB would be heavier.!!
I’d still rather have an XTR or Kagama..

 

[Horatio]

Told you EXB would be heavier.!!
I’d still rather have an XTR or Kagama..

Yes, that it is! From what I can see so far, about 5.7% heavier, even in its modified state.

The biggest issue I have, is with the Firma ESC and the supplied S665 servo. Bearing in mind that it was specced for this rig, I find it odd that the BEC is only capable of supplying a safe maximum of 4A when the servo supplied can easily draw 100% of that value just turning the tyres it came with. Not cool!

Anyway, I'm fitting a glitch buster and a AGF81BHMW which is more powerful, but also far quieter and more efficient. Hopefully that will stop the brown outs.

I have decided against running a separate power source to supply the servo. It's a lot of extra messy wiring and weight.

A Max 6 with 1659kv 4990 motor would be a much better option and hopefully worth the weight penalty.

Do you run a Max 6 in anything?

 

[Nelson.81]

To me the 4990 doesn't really feel like much of a step up in power to a 42xx with higher kv motor hence me trying 1721 but they do run cooler though & probably more torque but it’s not a huge step up in power that you might expect.but I do tend make my rigs heavier with all upgrades so probably similar power/weight as stock really when all said & done but If can get away with running a smaller motor with higher kv I would. But with max6 you won’t be lacking power or worrying about esc temps whatever motor pair it with

 

[BashingBrian]

Do you run a Max 6 in anything?

Short answer, yes..
Just about to remove one from XTR, I have 2 OG versions and saving both for when my Traxxas XRT and Xmaxx stock esc’s give up
Replacing max6 in XTR with XC C6, lighter and slightly more powerful.
I have one left in Barbie’s XXL paired with 4092 rocket motor it’s insane power, I think this motor is slightly lighter than the Hobbywing 4985 or whatever size it is

 

[SirCrashALot]

To me the 4990 doesn't really feel like much of a step up in power to a 42xx with higher kv motor hence me trying 1721 but they do run cooler though & probably more torque but it’s not a huge step up in power that you might expect.but I do tend make my rigs heavier with all upgrades so probably similar power/weight as stock really when all said & done but If can get away with running a smaller motor with higher kv I would. But with max6 you won’t be lacking power or worrying about esc temps whatever motor pair it with

When a 4985 or 4990 motor, with double the power doesn't feel like an improvement over the stock motor, I think you should have mounted a bigger pinion.
I have ran those motors in my Mojaves with 23t pinions and stock spurs. They are back to 21t pinions because the 6s batteries got hot. The Max6 systems took it like champs, though. Where the stock 4074 Spektrum motors always overheated on me, the 4985's run cool all day.
My 2 Asugas also run the same systems on 21t pinions and 46t spurs.
I am still looking for the right setup for the Fireteam, right now. So i have 5 of them and i love them.

 

[Nelson.81]

lol they ain’t double the power think that’s a slight exaggeration & I’ve already got smaller spur gear installed think I’m geared 46/18 atm & my tires would disagree with your opinion on going for a larger pinion given that I blew one off the rim yesterday that’s the 1st failure I’ve had with vp tires in couple years running them

 

[KnowAir]

I’m running an non sensored Max 6 in my Kronos atm, 4s with TC Kuron motor on AKA I-Beam truggy tires. It rips IMO. That Max 6 has been in my K6 w/4092(6s) and my Xmaxx on 8s w/VXL motor. A workhorse of an esc I think.
These days I have an XC C8 w/4092 in my Mojo running 6s. The XC seems great though it’s only been run a couple times so far.
I’m contemplating building an Arrma Shiroi currently. Take what’s good for diffs from my K6 and Mojo, throw some Typhon 6s suspension bits on the K6 chassis a Shiroi body.. IDK. The Mojo too big, K6 too heavy/ill handling.. I have an ET48 and the Kronos for track fun. Thinking I’d like a proper 1/8 SCT to run against my bro’s Maxx Slash on my track.

 

[SirCrashALot]

lol they ain’t double the power think that’s a slight exaggeration & I’ve already got smaller spur gear installed think I’m geared 46/18 atm & my tires would disagree with your opinion on going for a larger pinion given that I blew one off the rim yesterday that’s the 1st failure I’ve had with vp tires in couple years running them

View attachment 12772

View attachment 12773

4274 motors are rated around 3000 Watts, while the 4985 is 5700Watts.
So yes. Almost twice the power.
I am using the stock Arrma Mojave 6s and stock Corally Asuga tires. They are holding up sofar.

 

[SirCrashALot]

I’m running an non sensored Max 6 in my Kronos atm, 4s with TC Kuron motor on AKA I-Beam truggy tires. It rips IMO. That Max 6 has been in my K6 w/4092(6s) and my Xmaxx on 8s w/VXL motor. A workhorse of an esc I think.
These days I have an XC C8 w/4092 in my Mojo running 6s. The XC seems great though it’s only been run a couple times so far.
I’m contemplating building an Arrma Shiroi currently. Take what’s good for diffs from my K6 and Mojo, throw some Typhon 6s suspension bits on the K6 chassis a Shiroi body.. IDK. The Mojo too big, K6 too heavy/ill handling.. I have an ET48 and the Kronos for track fun. Thinking I’d like a proper 1/8 SCT to run against my bro’s Maxx Slash on my track.

I like how you think. That's exactly what i was doing with Corally parts. Building a 1/8 short course truck. It was almost like they new what i was cooking and they beat me to it.
Your other build, that Asuga clone on a Kraton chassis is nice too.

 

[KnowAir]

I like how you think. That's exactly what i was doing with Corally parts. Building a 1/8 short course truck. It was almost like they new what i was cooking and they beat me to it.
Your other build, that Asuga clone on a Kraton chassis is nice too.

I reverted back to Mojo and K6.. but TBH, I miss the short armed Kraton. It looked whack w/Kraton body but it ran so well.
I’m scheming again.. either go back to what I built, or, wildcard, I have a Tekno SCT410.3 that I put extended 17mm adapters on. Running buggy race tires w/Kaiju body. Runs great, very stable but I’m wondering what if I stretch it onto an ET48 chassis? That would make a pretty dope 1/8 SCT too.

 

[Horatio]

Installed the chassis protector and the AGF81BHMW servo.

Protek glitch buster is plugged into the receiver.

Everything adjusted and ready for testing tomorrow.

Spektrum servo is now in the trusty Savage.

Soldered up some more XT90 leads and 2 3S Batteries to try (on the XTR).

Ordered this in anticipation.

I figured if the Kraton is going to be weighty, even with lashings of carbon fibre - then it may as well have some xtra power.

I think it's ready to rip!

 

[Horatio]

The EXB has been driven - 1 6S Onyx pack. I intend to establish 0-60mph (assuming it hits 60 - it should).

Then it's going to the Parc Dewi Sant at some point - with the Velodrome. It's going to need to have a camera strapped to it.

Having blasted this around, off kerbs and hopping over grassy bits and pieces:

I'm impressed.

The motor seems to be running cool in our low 20's (°C) warmth and the truck is punchy.

It's definitely a different flavour to the XTR, with a less aggressive steering response, but I can dial that in to my preference over the coming weeks. It's coming with me to round 2 of the SWRCCC summer series - to play with between rounds.

At some point this afternoon I'll be shopping for suitable pit boxes for it to hold spare parts.

There's a rugged, purposeful quality about it and the Scorched parts elevate this rig in ways the photos don't convey.

It doesn't really drive heavy, despite the extra heft. What I mean by that is that it doesn't drive like a Baja or large scale RC car.

It still remains in that 1/8th scale sweet spot - heavy enough to carry enough momentum through longer grass, but light enough to have confidence with jumps.

The suspension is plush. The chassis layout in my opinion is superior to the Kronos. The steering system is superior too, in as much as the servo saver seems to work with authority, unlike the Corally ones which require Lee Spring (or equivalent) upgrade just to function.

Having taken the rig completely apart and back together 3 times already - the plastic feels reassuringly firm where screws are threading in.

Screw lengths are more consistent. Assemblies are intuitive.

The weird brown outs have stopped since I replaced the S665 servo with a proper one.

The Protek glitch buster is plugged into my RFS04F which I am sure offers just enough to keep my receiver alive during steering inputs.

Potentially, the 81BHMW can draw more current than the Firms's BEC can deal with, so I have to be sensible until I upgrade the ESC. On the plus side, it's quieter and more efficient than the S665, with an electronic hall sensor and brushless motor, all of which help it consume power more frugally.

What this rig needs now is a body.

This is what I keep seeing.....

 

[Nelson.81]

I da

The EXB has been driven - 1 6S Onyx pack. I intend to establish 0-60mph (assuming it hits 60 - it should).

Then it's going to the Parc Dewi Sant at some point - with the Velodrome. It's going to need to have a camera strapped to it.

Having blasted this around, off kerbs and hopping over grassy bits and pieces:

I'm impressed.

The motor seems to be running cool in our low 20's (°C) warmth and the truck is punchy.

It's definitely a different flavour to the XTR, with a less aggressive steering response, but I can dial that in to my preference over the coming weeks. It's coming with me to round 2 of the SWRCCC summer series - to play with between rounds.

At some point this afternoon I'll be shopping for suitable pit boxes for it to hold spare parts.

There's a rugged, purposeful quality about it and the Scorched parts elevate this rig in ways the photos don't convey.

It doesn't really drive heavy, despite the extra heft. What I mean by that is that it doesn't drive like a Baja or large scale RC car.

It still remains in that 1/8th scale sweet spot - heavy enough to carry enough momentum through longer grass, but light enough to have confidence with jumps.

The suspension is plush. The chassis layout in my opinion is superior to the Kronos. The steering system is superior too, in as much as the servo saver seems to work with authority, unlike the Corally ones which require Lee Spring (or equivalent) upgrade just to function.

Having taken the rig completely apart and back together 3 times already - the plastic feels reassuringly firm where screws are threading in.

Screw lengths are more consistent. Assemblies are intuitive.

The weird brown outs have stopped since I replaced the S665 servo with a proper one.

The Protek glitch buster is plugged into my RFS04F which I am sure offers just enough to keep my receiver alive during steering inputs.

Potentially, the 81BHMW can draw more current than the Firms's BEC can deal with, so I have to be sensible until I upgrade the ESC. On the plus side, it's quieter and more efficient than the S665, with an electronic hall sensor and brushless motor, all of which help it consume power more frugally.

What this rig needs now is a body.

This is what I keep seeing.....

View attachment 12783

I saw the price of that body & kept scrolling nearly £200 shipped coming from the states Might work out cheaper if got a shell painted in uk try dubs custom works uk or baskerskins does body wraps for Kraton they’ve a couple nice options
https://www.dubscustomworks.uk/rc-car-gallery

 

[Horatio]

I da

I saw the price of that body & kept scrolling nearly £200 shipped coming from the states Might work out cheaper if got a shell painted in uk try dubs custom works uk or baskerskins does body wraps for Kraton they’ve a couple nice options
https://www.dubscustomworks.uk/rc-car-gallery

Cheers for the suggestion - it's a great idea.

I had a chat with Dubscustomworks. He's just moved studio/shop. So he stalled me for a couple of months.

I have only 1 pro painted body at the moment, but in time I would love to have all my fleet to following a theme. Certainly my race rigs.

Thankfully, I'm not in a hurry. So I'll try him again.