Team Kassanova K2 (2wd buggy)

[EDS]

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/newrcstuff028.jpg
Team Kassanova K2 Buggy

Since of a good friend (ZeroHax369) I have been able to start acouple more projects. The first project is a B4 inspired 2wd buggy.There has been the x-6 and many other people have converted the B4 into a mid motor buggy but I want to do something alittle different. So Its going to use b4 suspension. But it will have tc3 style mid motor , with a tc3 differential, and laydown shocks in the front and rear. This buggy will be like no other buggy you have ever seen. The following parts will be custom cut either on a cnc or by hand.
-Lower Chassis
-Top Deck
-Rocker mounts
-Motor mount
-Chamber mounts
-Rear chassis plate
-Front Chassis plate
When designing this buggy I decided to go with the Tc3 type mounted motor because if I where to just flip the b4 tranny I wouldn't be doing anything different and I would have would have had to use either a 4x2 battery set up ,which I don't want to use becuase I can't use lipo in it. Or I would have had to go with a saddle formation but I wouldn't have been able to get the batteries very far back on the chassis. Also the B4 trans would have made it very hard to incorparate a laydown shock set-up. I decided to go with the laydown shocks becuase they lower the CG,make the suspension progressive,and in my opinion is more durable becuase you don't have to worry about shock towers or bending shock shafts. I also love doing things thats are innovative and different , that are a challenge. Here are a few pics dimenstrating the layout.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/newrcstuff018.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/newrcstuff020.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/newrcstuff024.jpg

[annie_himself]

Reminds me of a S2 for some reason.

[moleman]

Check out my project(SpeedDemon), Ive worked on similar idéas..
So far Ive been to two races with the car, and it handles great!

[EDS]

Aw man you beat me to the punch! Thats good that it handles well though. Are you exspierencing any "torque steer" or the car not trackign straight becuase of the motor?

[moleman]

No I havent noticed anything of that, only raced on high traction carpet though.
(The motor of my car rotates inwards the center of the car)

Im really looking forward to seeing what you come up with regarding the laydown shock arrangement!
Laydown shocks should have a great advantage when its raining and dirt makes rear upright shocks clog, and stop working properly.
Laydowns could be concealed under the body, away from dirt spray.
And in the front you'll get a very sleek design, with no worries of breaking the front shock tower.

I dont know if you really get lower CG with laydown shocks though? maybe in the front on a 2wd thats possible, but in the rear the gearbox will be in the way.. or maybe my mind is stuck?

[annie_himself]

No I havent noticed anything of that, only raced on high traction carpet though.
(The motor of my car rotates inwards the center of the car)

Im really looking forward to seeing what you come up with regarding the laydown shock arrangement!
Laydown shocks should have a great advantage when its raining and dirt makes rear upright shocks clog, and stop working properly.
Laydowns could be concealed under the body, away from dirt spray.
And in the front you'll get a very sleek design, with no worries of breaking the front shock tower.

I dont know if you really get lower CG with laydown shocks though? maybe in the front on a 2wd thats possible, but in the rear the gearbox will be in the way.. or maybe my mind is stuck?
Both of us are in America. We don't race when its wet or raining. :p

[moleman]

Not an unusual sight after a buggy heat in Sweden:
http://tengvall-racing.se/bilder/RM%20i%20Sj%F6bo/6.jpg

[erkan]

This is my car after a heat in the swedish championship last summer.. :thumbdown:

[moleman]

hehe, nice one
:bored:
How well did the rear suspension work in those conditions?

[erkan]

as long as its wet its okay.. took a while to get clean tho :mad:

[EDS]

haha nice. I'm going to be ordering a sheet of G10 tomarrow to cut the chassis out of.

[EDS]

I don't have many physical updates because of the lack of financial support. But I will be turning 16 soon and will be getting a summer job. As far as design changes though I do have an update.. The motor will be mounted on the other side of chassis so that it rotates towards the center. I personally will be using this battery layout shown in the the pictures because my track is high traction. After hearing about the results of moleman's buggy on low traction I decided that for low traction tracks I plan on mounting one half of the saddle pack behind the diff in some kind of protective case. This will give more rear traction. Also I am considering being able to mount a regular SxS pack on the chassis just like a Tc3 with the motor,esc,reciever on the other side. I rather run saddles and will be. But this car will most likely be run by another driver who only have SxS.So there will be many battery mounting options.

[EDS]

Been awhile since I updated this. Its mainly becuase I haven't had much of any progress. But the time for progress is apon us. Like I said in my TR3 project thread I have ordered a 24x24 2.7mm piece of blue/black carbon fiber. It will also be used on this project for the main chassis,rear lower chassis plate and rear upper deck. Along with some smaller pieces. I have all of them drawen out and will be able to start cutting once I get the carbon.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/carbon.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/K2designs019-1.jpg
Recently though I have been trying to make progress.Last couple of days I have been working on the rear a-arms mounting and also the front.
Rear
I cut up the stock rear chassis plate and I will be useing the a-arm mounts but nothing else on it.The mounts will mount on the rear carbon fiber chassis plate. It seems like the diff will fit in it pretty well.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/K2designs006.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/K2designs008.jpg
I also figued out the design for the rear chassis lower and upper plate along ,the rear turnbuckle mounts,and rear rocker mounts and have all of those drawn out. I am trying to keep the suspension geometry as close to stock as possible. If everything goes right the rear should fit like a nice puzzle.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/K2designs020-1.jpg
Front
In the front I came into a bit of a problem. Trying to some how mount the front suspension at a 30 degree kick up. After awhile looking for parts I noticed that front of the my T3 has a very simple set up with a aluminum skid plate that puts the kcik up at 30 degrees.Perfect. First I tried to connect the front skid to the B4 bulk head but then I realized the T3 bulk head is almost exact to the B4's as far as the width that the a-arms are mounted. I soon discovered the T3 bulk head fits better than planned. I didn't have to trim down the bulkhead or the a-arms to get the a-arms to fit. But I did have to drill out the hinge pin holes so the larger T3 hinge pins would fit. For the steering I tried to modify the B4 steering rack to fit on the skid plate but it just didn't fit well. So I opted to go with a t3 steering rack. It isn't angled back like the b4's but surprisingly there is little bump steer. I soon started to look for a way to mount the turnbuckles. Once again I resorted to the T3 parts. I decided to cut down a T3 front shock tower. The result a simple way to mount the turnbuckles but still keep the geometry very close to a stock b4's.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/K2designs001.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/K2designs004.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/K2designs013-1.jpg
Peace,
Ethan
Team Kassanova

[EDS]

I haven't had much time to work on this since of soccer and I have been working alot on my TR3 project. But I started cutting the chassis out today. I just have to make some minor cuts to make sure everything is even on each side and then need to sand it down and start drilling holes. I will get pictures of it as soon as I get it finished and as soon as I mount the front end and the rear end to the carbon rear plate.I designed the chassis to accept a stick pack on the opposite side of the motor. Thats why the chassis is so wide up front. I did that because my R&D racer only has stick lipos no saddles. Among that option I also designed it so that one half of the saddle can be on the opposite side of the motor and the other half can be on the back of the car like a 1/10th nitro. This will help with rear traction on low traction tracks. The other half of the saddle on the rear will be put in a custom case to protect it. There are a ton of battery options.Along with these layouts later on I will be working on a layout with a mid-motor and saddle packs on the rear like the B44. All of these layouts can be used on the same main chassis. Total there are 4 layouts that I will be experimenting with.
Here are the battery layouts I explained above...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/K2designs028.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/K2designs029.jpg

[mattym0310]

I liked this layout:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/K2designs013-1.jpg

:)

[ben]

why matt:confused:

[Lee]

The weight seems too far forward on that one matt, you would struggle for drive in low grip conditions.

I do have an idea though:p

[annie_himself]

The weight seems too far forward on that one matt, you would struggle for drive in low grip conditions.

I do have an idea though:p
I :wub your avy. :thumbsup:

[EDS]

This layout I personally like the best and will be the primary layout.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/K2designs013-1.jpg
I like the avy too.... ;P
haha Annie if you like the TR3... You will LOVE the K2

[EDS]

I finished the main chassis and got the front and the rear all mounted up. I really like how the rear came together and it fits quiet nicely.The one thing that I'm not exactly excited about is the wheelbase is about 182mm. Which is about 9mm longer than a B4. Hopefully this won't hold it back in the corners. If so I will find away of shortening it. When I get more lexan I will be able to make the rocker mounts,side channels,battery posts, etc. The rear lexan plates that are holding the rear plate on are temporary and will be replaced by a strong one piece.Also I haven't drilled all the holes or counter sunk all of them so please keep that in mind Hope you guys like it . I think the yellow wheels really help it to stand out.

Peace,
Ethan
Team Kassanova
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/Stage1006.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/Stage1007.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/Stage1009.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/Stage1010.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/Stage1011.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/Stage1012.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/Stage1013.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/Stage1017.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/Stage1018.jpg

[Tom3012]

good work!! i like it a lot! dont rush anything though and take your time dont want to spoil your masterpiece...

i do have one question... why the 2 part chassis instead of all one piece of cf?

keep the good work up!

[annie_himself]

Is the 2-piece from the TR3 when the chassis snapped? They use similar rear mounting so maybe its to cause a cheaper breakage if it occurs on this car. Am I right? :eh?:

I love the look of that thing, it almost looks.....European!
I want one!

[EDS]

Thanks Tom, I will make sure not to rush it. It helps that I have two other projects going at the same time.
About the chassis not being one piece..
I made it 3 piece (front nose plate,main chassis, rear plate) Because if the rear breaks then all I will have to replace is the small rear plate instead of the whole chassis. Same with the front. Annie is right.

Thanks, annie.

[annie_himself]

Thanks Tom, I will make sure not to rush it. It helps that I have two other projects going at the same time.
About the chassis not being one piece..
I made it 3 piece (front nose plate,main chassis, rear plate) Because if the rear breaks then all I will have to replace is the small rear plate instead of the whole chassis. Same with the front. Annie is right.

Thanks, annie.
;)
When are you shipping mine?

[dodgydiy]

i created a similar project car using b3 front end a few years ago, cells were six in line at an angle of about 30 degrees across chassis running front to back. weight distribution was very good, and car was great fun to drive, diffs did not last long!

[annie_himself]

Finish this thing!

[bilster44]

This is my car after a heat in the swedish championship last summer.. :thumbdown: That looks really nice. :drool:

[EDS]

The major race that I would like to have my buggy raced in is the first weekend of February so I decided to concentrate souly on this project so that I can get it done , do R&D and find a local driver to sponsor.

I will have a major update very very soon. If not within the next couple of days...keep your eyes out...
Ethan

[EDS]

Not quiet exactly major... but
I ended up mostly finishing the front end today... I have some small things that I need to do to it to complete the front but its 95% finished. I know that the right shock is at a different angle than the other and will fix that tomarrow.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/1228081616.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/1228081616a.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/1228081617.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Kassanova%20B4/1228081617a.jpg

Ethan
Team Kassanova

[annie_himself]

That looks amazing boy!
Marry me!

[bmx833]

lol, by the way, all that is just amazing!!! top job

[EDS]

Annie: Your crazy. Get on Im sometime though.

Bmx: Thanks man.

My goal is to have this thing mostly done by next monday. I'm alittle behind schedule but I'm going to be working hard on it today. Possibly another update in the next couple days or sooner.

Ethan
Team Kassanova

[annie_himself]

I would but it never works for me and none of my 13 year old middle school friends never get on because we're on myspace too much. lol

[EDS]

After slow progress I have managed to complete another stage of the project.I got the following cut and mounted (yet not sanded or countersunk):
- chassis supports
-battery straps
-battery posts,
- quick release motor mount
- upper deck

All this leaves is :
-Rear suspension
- body/wing mounting
- final touches to finish (sanding,countersinking,etc)

Then ofcourse I have to make upper deck ,battery strap,battery posts,etc for the stick pack layout.

Here are some updated pictures..let me know what you guys think.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/0106092322.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/0106092323.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/0106092326.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/0106092328.jpg

Ethan
Team Kassanova

[dodgydiy]

looking good there, what outdrives are you using on the tc3 diff, when i built my b3 with tc3 box a few years ago, my main problem was with the outdrives expiring very quickly with anything other than a stock motor?? handling of my b3 based car was good, had to be driven hard!!!! serious fun. looking at what you have created i might just have to have another go ;-)

[mattym0310]

that looks awesome! really nice looking car, would love to know how it handles! :thumbsup: :D

[EDS]

looking good there, what outdrives are you using on the tc3 diff, when i built my b3 with tc3 box a few years ago, my main problem was with the outdrives expiring very quickly with anything other than a stock motor?? handling of my b3 based car was good, had to be driven hard!!!! serious fun. looking at what you have created i might just have to have another go ;-)

I'm using NTC3 which are steel and have worked great for me in the past.

Got the rear suspension mounted and all. So now I just have one more stage ( Body,wing,sanding,countersinking,final touchs etc mostly small stuff) . Its sitting really low because the springs are too soft and I plan on getting stiffer ones.I'm also waiting on come custom made Cvds from a friend of mine.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/0109092331a.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/0109092331.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/0109092309.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/0109090025.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/0109092330.jpg

Ethan
Team Kassanova

[rowanp25]

so what body you gonna use? its a far from conventional chassis layout. looks funky though

[EDS]

You'll just have to wait and see... :) I will show you guys the body in my next update.

Ethan

[EDS]

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/teaser22-1.jpg

Ethan
Team Kassanova

[annie_himself]

That picture is a little dark. I can't see it.
lol


You should send me a PM so I can see it before they can.

[EDS]

Well since you are the owner of the company.. I guess I am intitled too send you pics before anybody else haha.

I'm looking to have this finished by the end of the week :) I just am waiting on few things and I have some small stuff to finish up.
Oh thought I might share the new Team Kassanova Logo as well..
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Teamkassy.png

Ethan
Team Kassanova

[EDS]

I apologize for not giving you guys an update though much progress has been made on the buggy. I successfully had the buggy in running condition by the biggest race in the state. I raced the buggy in it and my goal was just to finish one race. Unfortunately, I was not able to achieve this goal becuase of minor issues such as Cvds popping out, motor mount moving, motor getting too hot , etc. I ended up taking the rear end completely apart 3 times during the race. I have been working to resolve these problems and I think they will be taken care of after a few small tweaks here and there along with a few aluminum parts that will be coming soon. Any way though its about 98% done I just have a few small touch ups and setting up to do along with extensive testing. Here are some pictures of it 98%. When its a 100% I will be having even better pictures taken by a friend of mine. Along with a video of a racer friend of mine driving it. The future for this machine is unsure but it got aton of weird stares and alot of attention at the race. After I get the aluminum motor mount and custom modified Cva's and get some extra parts this is going to be shipped down to Florida for a photo shoot and testing and then up to Michigan for more testing and a video. Enough of me talking and on to the pictures. I would like to thank my friend Kyle for painting me up the body

Ethan
Team Kassanova

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/IMG_8856.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/IMG_8818.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/IMG_8819.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/IMG_8821.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/IMG_8825.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/IMG_8831.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/IMG_2518.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/IMG_2521.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/IMG_2523.jpg

[nudge]

Looks awesome EDS. If you want to send one to me in Australia for testing i would be more than happy to test it for you...

[EDS]

Thanks. Wow Australia is a long way from here.. Shipping would be crazyy and I'm afraid my one of a kind car would get lost on the way. Thanks though!

[Garry Driffill]

I like it! - Any video of it on track?

[EDS]

thanks! No videos of it yet. I will be getting a video soon though when I send it to a friend of mine who is a great racer.

[Lukass]

oh my god.....awesome!!! :thumbsup::woot::drool:

[annie_himself]

Holy damn Ethan. You should get it sent to me first, before (Joe?) Florida! My XSi would kill that. Oh my!

[EDS]

Lukass: Thanks. Glad you like it

Annie: Haha mmmhm like I would trust you with it. Not sending it with any electronics so it wouldn't do you much good anyway. I'm actually sending it to this guy named Jeff in Florida for pics and testing. Then to Chewie for more testing. That way it will get the Team Kassanova name out there and show off my work around the country :) Ultimately my goal is to get in a magazine. I'm thinking about sending you a "Team Kassanova" shirt though when I get more made? Like the new logo? Thats what is on the shirts

Ethan
Team Kassanova

[Bigwrenn]

Lookin' good Ethan! :D

[annie_himself]

I just want to admire it. LOL
Text me how I can get in contact with Jeff. And, yea I'd love a shirt.

[EDS]

Bigwrenn: Thanks

Annie: Once I finish Version 2 and get everything running I might consider letting you admire it lol

Since my last update I have been busy with School,work,running track,and ofcourse spending time with my girlfriend. I haven't had much time to work on r/c's but I'm on spring break right now so I have gotten a chance to catch up with this project along with others.Last couple of days I have started to plan out how to fix the problems that I was having at the track a couple months ago. I finally got this thing torn down to inspect for where my problems where coming from. After tearing it down I have realized that major changes need to be made and my current design can not offer these solutions.. thus I have started to plan Version 2.

If you prefer to not read all the boring details please scroll down and read the bolded section to find the main points and changes that will be made.

The problems that I experienced wile testing for the first time included:
-Motor getting so hot the wires came unsoldered
This later was fixed by installing a larger spur gear and smaller pinion. I will continue to research a desired FDR but a brushless esc and motor should help with this problem.

-Cvd's popping out of the outdrives
The angle of the cvd going down from the outdrive to the hub carrier was too great when the a-arms are parellel to the ground causing a large amount of "plunge" in the outdrive during down travel and up-travel. At full down travel this causes the Cvd to come out of the outdrive while the full up travel cannot be achieved becuase the end of the cvd hits the end of the outdrive.

-Un-realiable gear mesh
-weak rear chassis plate
These two problems go hand and hand. Both have to do with the weakness of the rear chassis plate and how it was mounted. I made a seperate carbon fiber rear chassis plate so if the rear of the chassis broke this is the only part that would need to be replaced instead of the entire chassis. Unfortunatly the way I mounted the piece to the main chassis caused alot of flex and movement. When landing from jumps the gear-mesh was up-set. Partly this may be becuase of the motor mount but it might also because of the movement and flexibility in this area.

-Bump-steer
Caused by a difference of angles and heights between the servo saver and the steering blocks.

-bottoming out front end
Even with my stiffest touring car springs up front the front kept bottoming out even when dropped from a foot or so. There is too much leverage in the rockers.

Though these problems maybe small ones they kept me from being able to run the car and are caused by major design flaws. My plan of action to eliminate thoughs problems are quiet exstinsive and will require a re-design of most of the car. This is a major set back but I am finding it is part of making custom cars.

Plans for the Team Kassanova K2 V2 are as follows:
-Laydown Suspension
-Entire new chassis/components
-Team Associated Gt2 front chassis plate and bulkhead along with all the steering components.
-B44 Slipper clutch
-Custom made body
-B44 Rear end
-Electronic/motor layout similar to the B44 but more specifically the Bj2se which is seen in this forum and also seen in this picture:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/0402091504.jpg


The Gt2 front end,New layout, and B44 rear end will require a completely new upper and lower chassis along with many other associated parts like rocker mounts. Yes, I the new version will have laydown shocks in the front and rear.

The Gt2 front end will add durability and eliminate most of the bump steer because the servo saver/steering is at an angle. This also eliminates the modifications that I had to do to the b4 a-arms to fit the T3 bulkhead.

The B44 Slipper clutch will fix the problems I was having with the motor mount and will spin more free than the Tc3”0” slipper clutch and it will also be more adjustable.

The new electronic layout and b44 rear end are my solutions to the Weak rear chassis plate, inconsistent gear mesh, and cvd plunge. All these problems go hand and hand along with the solutions. The b44 rear chassis plate will be much stronger than my carbon rear plate and is much easier replaced. This will also solve any other gear mesh problems I was having caused by the flex in my rear plate and how it was mounted . This requires a B44 differential case that would lower the clutch too lower and cause the spur gear to stick out of the bottom of the car if I used the same motor and clutch location as my last design. Thus I have to move the motor forward on the chassis so that the spur can be at the right height. The B44 diff case and will lower the differential and decrease the angle that the Cvd’s are at thus decreasing the Cvd plunge.

After trying to bolt too bodies together (b4 and xxx-4) I have decided to make my own body. The body shown in my pictures worked well but it turned out to be very hard to paint and I feel making my own body will be a nice challenge and will help make this project more professional.

To conclude this giant mess of words I’m redesigning most of this project. And I have found that this is a part of engineering and making your own cars. There is a lot of trial and error that must take place. In the end though I believe these major changes should give me an over all better car that will handle better, be more durable, and be more reliable. I will be inputting more factory made parts and this should help with the problems I have been having and make part replacement much easier.

Ethan
Team Kassanova.

[annie_himself]

I'm so proud. This car will be the shit. God I wish I could build again..