Cost to Modify an ARRMA Mega into a 3S BLX
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2022
- Many people opt to buy the Mega with the intention to upgrade it to a 3S BLX car not knowing that it’s more than the electronics that differ between the two. It’s not as simple as just buying a replacement motor and ESC and calling it done.
The motor shaft size is different and even the pitch of the gears isn’t the same. The power module is very different.
Breaking down the differences between the Mega lineup and the 3S BLX cars and pricing each component so you know how much you’d be spending. Using Arrma parts comes out to roughly $200 minimum. The slipper can be purchased separately from the entire assembly, meaning you can reuse the slipper clutch. However, you’ll need to buy more slipper clutch pads as the BLX has more pads than the Mega version.
SALE:
As of this publication, Horizon Hobby currently having a sale on the 3S Typhon for $300.
Tower Hobbies still has the Mega as a scratch and dent (meaning european charger) for $150. This is not a sponsored channel and I do not use affiliate links. If interested, buy from whatever retailer you wish.
NOTE:
I made a mistake with how I installed the center bearing. The center bearing is supposed to slip over the REAR side of the enter driveshaft and slid down to the center. In the video, I'm erroneously showing it going on the FRONT side of the center driveshaft and sliding it up. - Zábava
Thank you! This is the exact type of information I was looking for. I also appreciate the reasonable view that a 2s car is not an embarrassment, but may be perfect for certain situations.
2S way more reliable. I just uploaded a video on that a few days ago. Plenty fast if designed right. I’ll probably make a video eventually on designing a power system and all the calculations.
Not only is not embarrassing rc racing in uk is 2s only in 1 10 scale
Thank you very much for this video! This is the exact comparison I was looking to see. While I still have not made my mind up between the two, I figure that I will make a much more informed decision now.
Great video. I just recently got back into the hobby and felt I was talked into an Arrma Vorteks, never heard of them and thought it might be a “fly by night” brand? After doing some research I found out that Arrma is really great and popular brand, I was happy to read and see this. I bought the Vorteks 4x2, cause price and whether I was going to get head first back into the hobby, and I’m glad I did. I love to tinker, which this has afforded me to do and the car is tough as nails. Great to see the cost’s difference in upgrades, thank you for that. I’m slowly getting it there and now getting other cars too. 👍
Really good overview and runthrough, very useful information!
I am looking at a used Mega without electronics for 100 Euro, so I'm a bit considering my options, I may or may not go for it over a regular 3s... I know with a nice Hobbywing system I could make a better 3s than the original, so might just do it, ha ha! Let's see... Not today anyway...
I liked your way of explaining stuff, I see you got some other nice RC content, so I went and subscribed, I might even learn something about ebikes, ha ha!
Thanks, I may make a video about calculating the gearing to help design the drivetrain. I think a lot of people are unfortunately just going with other people’s gearing and motors without understanding why and knowing what to expect from each type of setup. I really like the 2S setup I have for some of the 1/10 scale rigs.
Great video and very informative!
Thanks! Figured it was a common topic people think about but weren’t sure or clear on.
In my opinion arrma has a great market manager they sale you the same basic rc in different forms jjust like GMC
Your so right i bought 4x2 vortek and now car is crazy but also put what i like now car is well over $600 but its a hobby
Great job explaining everything sir. I bought the infraction 3s and thinking of doing this because as fun as the infraction is I love to bash lol so I might have to just pull the trigger on all does little parts need to convert it.
Thanks. Figured someone should put the list together. I was doing the research anyway, so I figured I may a well share all the legwork. Glad you found this helpful.
Great video! Your audio and video framing is really good compared to a lot of RC channels where you often can't hear or see what they're doing well enough. The topic's good too. I get that working on the car and upgrading is a big part of the hobby for a lot of people, but I've always thought it works out more expensive starting out with a basic model and upgrading. I suppose it also depends if you have enough cash for the initial outlay on the premium version...
Off topic, do you know why closed captions aren't available on this video?
I may have to turn on the closed captions. Sorry, it was a late night upload for me. I’ll see what I can do about adding it. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
As for the sound quality, that’s definitely an ingredient I wanted to focus on because I had the exact same experience as you where the video quality was poor due to poor sound or poor lighting. A lot of the top notch quality videos often turned out to be ads disguised as reviews. I do have a wireless microphone that I use and I test out the sound before continuing with the test. There are times where I’m making videos outdoors and the wind noise can be a challenge.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. Helps confirm there are real people out there watch real videos. Hehe.
Very informative
Glad you found it useful. I love the modded 2S brushless mega so much more than a stock 3S BLX b/c of the reliability but it does end up costing more for the setup. Just glad there isn't repairs needed on the 2S like the 3S which seems to suck $$$ out all the time. I wouldn't advise modding a Mega to a 3S though. That defeats the purpose.
Great comparison. I have been tempted to get the 2s mega but as you said it's more practical to just go with the BLX if your into speed. I converted my 2s Granite to 3s after the first couple of runs and ended up spending more. I kept the fixed links and the truck preforms great off road. For speed runs the toe was a bit out so I replaced them with adjustable ones. I've noticed that when you upgrade it can get quite expensive. The stock 3s Typhon is a great buggy and stock parts are cheap. I think the only upgrade that really counts is the shocks. Unless your blessed with a large bank account your better off leaving your cars stock and replace parts as needed. 👍👍
I find that in at least my type of driving, I would never get to the speeds that a 4S or higher car gives me. The 2S performs quite well for my needs. With the reliability exponentially being higher than that of the 3S, I do like my 2S better. The more power of the 3S is hard to deny, but waiting for parts, ordering and spending $$ over and over again and spending time and time again to fix stuff isn't really of my interest as much as driving the thing.
I do wish I built a 2S sooner, but I would have to say that it was my experience with the 3S that made me more appreciate the 2S cars I have.
Very enjoyable vid.
I have an old Turnigy Trackstar 120 esc and 1900kv motor I used in a Ofna LXe1 and was wondering if any of you think I could repurpose it into my Mega? Definitely going to stay on 2s.
This is the V3 Mega Typhon.
Any suggestions on gearing would be very helpful too.
Generally high voltage goes with low KV and low voltage goes with high KV. 2S is quite low voltage, so matching that with 1900kv motor, it'll be very slow and laggy.
Use the 4s motor plate stronger or best one is full gpm alloy motor mount if going 3s if just using 2s leave basic mount is ok
Great video 👍
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.
@funcentric
Are you able to verify input shafts are indeed all metal...a lot of people online are saying its plastic? 🤔
Input shaft is metal if you’re asking about the red thing. Different design on the mega but it’s definitely metal. Slipper clutch is also metal.
Ive had a 3s typhon for a while and got a 2s typhon for my 7 Y/O for Christmas. He's already asking for an upgraded motor lol. He's used to my 3S I Guess
2S Typhon I think is only fun once it's brushless AND with the proper motor and gearing setup. Took awhile to experiment with what worked best for me.
@@Funcentric that's great advice. I've looked through your videos and don't see any updates on the Mega. Would you mind sharing your motor/esc and pinion setup? I'm newer to the hobby.
@@MOTO_DOSE My Instagram has more up to date info with more detail. My favorite setup on the Typhon with stock wheel size is 3800kv motor paired with a 22T pinion and stock 48p 91T spur. I use a budget Surpass 60A ESC. This setup yields a 31mph top speed which was my goal. Any faster and it'll be vulnerable to breaking itself like the 3S BLX's stock. The whole goal was to increase reliability compared to the 3S BLX cars.
@@Funcentric thanks for the info! We'll be upgrading his typhon in the near future for sure
These aren't meant to save money at all. I bought them for my 5 and 7 year old nephews. They're a beginner RC. The platform is pretty bulletproof on a 2s brushed setup, so don't need to worry about them crashing and breaking it, and it can be upgraded over time as they learn the hobby. It's was a great idea, imo. Their whole family is having a blast with it. I haven't even had a chance to show them my RCs yet, lol. I've got an xmaxx and a 6s typhon. Their minds are going to be blown.
With some tweaking on a brushless 2S setup, it's pretty incredible. I have some videos on my Instagram @funcentric of my 6 year old driving it. New gearing as well. Took a bit of trial and error and calculations to get it to my liking.
Arrma did open option cause my 10 yr old cant drive a fast car but we can get him there
I am in the same situation. My 10 yr old would blow up a faster car, but starting with the mega we can work up to a faster car. It’s hard trying to teach throttle management to an excited kid!
Rather buy the cheaper one and put a nice 3s brushless combo and cheap receiver in it and make it better then their stock 3s for about the same price. Ill put my upgraded mega against a stock 3s any day!
Depends on what you get it for. The Senton 3S blx was selling for $270 a few weeks ago. That was a deal of a lifetime. I still opted for the mega version for $150 because I wanted a 2S brushless track car. 2S is so much more reliable and efficient than any of my 3S cars.
I don't understand why folks by a rig like this, then upgrade it into a different bigger/better/badder rig. Save some money and just buy the rig you want to start with. Oh, well. Thanks for the vid!!
Yup, I'm on the exact same page as you. It's cheaper and much easier to just buy the bigger rig if that's what someone wants. Even if going to 4S, it would be good to have the stock 3S electronics from the BLX as backup or for another project.
I guess the people buying the Mega with the intention of upgrading to 3S are just too eager to wait to buy the 3S BLX. In which case I'd say they are barely affording it. Nothing wrong with owning a Mega and enjoying it for what it is. Too many people trying to "keep up with the Jones'".
The Mega is great for what it is, particularly for $165 from Tower Hobbies currently. Comes with charger (european one) and battery. Can't go wrong for a true RTR.
Glad you enjoyed the video.
Maybe some people can't put that money out at the time, just starting out, or just have an extra system laying around
Its the same reason people upgrade real cars, it could be not wasting extra money on stuff you know you can get and install cheaper, or they may like tinkering with their cars. The joy is always in the tinkering and making it faster through your own work. Only the rich guys can buy Lambos and Porches and McClaren's, but they can be beat by lesser costing cars that were built by hand. If everyone had the money to buy the one they wanted, there would be no need for a Brushed RC car or 4 cylinder real car, everyone would have 8s RC cars and v8, v10 and v12s regular engines.
@@c1979h True on the first part, but I come to a very different conclusion. I actually spent more on a 2S car than I would've spent on a sale price 3S stock one. And the purpose was to have something more reliable and durable. Mission accomplished. The 3S cars just can't handle its own drivetrain - at least not the Big Rock. The Typhon BLX has been better but also b/c I baby it more. The 2S rig is a lot more fun basically b/c I have more road time on it than bench time like I do with the 3S 1/10 scale cars.
If I could get any car on demand, I'm still not certain I'd have 8S cars and v12's as my preference. Perhaps as I'm getting older, reliability becomes more important. I'd rather have the fancy Toyota than the entry level BMW for that reason. The BMW I drive I don't really consider a BMW, hehe.
I break always buy better,💥💯
So centre bearing kit not needed buy rwd that way you will become a pro turnbuckles not needed pinions set gr8 slipper clutch not needed just fully tighten it like i done keep plastic spur better i am a pro trust me rc is all about your thumps