A different CR conversion.. [Archive]

Funkymojo

19-06-2010, 12:41 AM

My buddy has the PSI Racing mid motor conversion kit for the Academy GV2...it's a nice piece of kit and the price is reasonable too...PSI Racing has a thread on RCTECH...here it is

PSI Racing Mid Motor Conversion Products (http://www.rctech.net/forum/electric-off-road/378888-psi-racing-mid-motor-conversion-products.html)

Gareth Jones

19-06-2010, 08:17 AM

Hello,

I have ordered one og these and it should be here early next week. I will let you know my thoughts on the build and put some pictures up if you want?

I have also been in discussions with the owner of PSI racing to be the importer of the kits - so it may be an easier channel for you to purchase them.

Regards
Gareth

Dr_UpGrade

19-06-2010, 12:18 PM

I've ordered one too, so I'll report back too when its built up...

Cheers,

Mark

Gareth Jones

23-06-2010, 06:48 AM

Got the kit yesterday and so far I am impressed with the quality - however my build hasnt quite gone to plan so far!

My old steering rack bearings shattered, so i cant do the front end and I am awaiting a new gearbox casing for the rear - so only a small amount of build has been completed so far.

Will try and get some images uploaded tonight.

Gareth

Gareth Jones

25-06-2010, 02:15 PM

pugboy

25-06-2010, 02:29 PM

Just a quick email to say i received the kit finally - bloody customs clearance held it for around 5 days :(

Really impressed with the kit so far, its nice that it is partially built when I openned the box - saves a bit of time for the assembly. All the parts are good quality and so far its going together well.

I am being let down by my choice of original spares at the minute, so I havent managed to complete the build. Hopefully the images will work - shows how far I have got - most of the way apart from the motor / diff side of things.

My plan is to run it next Thursday at Coventry

Regards
Gareth

Interesting alternative to the CR2 by the looks of things, and seems very good value. What is the main base to the chassis made from, is it FRP or aluminium? At first glance the top plate looks like it might be a little on the weedy side though and wonder if it would stand up to a big 'off'.

Gareth Jones

25-06-2010, 02:45 PM

All the components are CNC Machined out of FR4 grade G-10 stock,aluminim alloy hex stock,or Delrin.The hardware included is all black oxide coated machine grade hardened steel, with hex drive heads.

Pulled straight from the advert for the conversion kits. If there is enough interest I will work with the owner to bring a bulk of kits into the UK - so please PM me if you want one.

Also the top deck does appear very "lean" and lightweight, however when contruction it is very rigid. It would have to be a mega off to break anything - something else would break before the top deck!

The only bit of work you have to do is dremel the wing mounts to put it in the lower position, however I am sticking with it in the original slot as I like to have a lot of rear grip and think it sits well high up.

Can't wait to get it completed to start the testing!

Gareth

Tom3012

25-06-2010, 04:28 PM

Who makes it? Id be interested in chatting to them about doing a conversion for another car.

Ive got the ideas but havent really got the tools to support them :lol:

Dr_UpGrade

25-06-2010, 04:59 PM

PSI in the states makes them.. A guy by the name of Chad.. Still awaiting mine to arrive, but hopefully soon...

Dr_UpGrade

25-06-2010, 05:06 PM

Gareth/Gasmidas,
I was taking to Mark of MK racing about this last w/e. Maybe drop him a line about suppling kits... Could be worth your while!!

:)

Gareth Jones

25-06-2010, 06:33 PM

If you have any specific questions please PM me and I shall pass them across to Chad.

Regards
Garth

andys

25-06-2010, 07:15 PM

I have a quick question.
Is the conversion only for the CR, or would a BK2 be ok as a Donor car ?

Fila1223

26-06-2010, 11:33 AM

no only for cr and original xxx but if you buy rear cr stufs u can make it

Migs

29-06-2010, 03:17 AM

I have a quick question.
Is the conversion only for the CR, or would a BK2 be ok as a Donor car ?

Actually its interesting, a lot of people are running the bk2 steering bell crank setup and the bk2 rear end on their CR's, both of those swap onto the PSI and all u need to do is file a little material of the chassis where the rear arms connect to the pivot because its a narrower pivot than the cr rear end, all u need to do is build a CR gearbox and ur set, so dont get put off, alot of what u have in the bk2 gearbox will work too such as the diff rings, diff balls, bearings, i'd imagine u'd only need the gearbox casing, top shaft, idler, outdrives and the CR diff gear to build a gearbox that will fit in, u can pick whether to go for a full CR diff, which would mean u'd need the cr diff rings and diff screw/nut, or if u get the original xxx out drives, they will work with all the diff hardware u already have and will mate up with the CR diff gear...do it

edit, the thing i have not thought about is the front end, im not sure if the front pivot is the same in the cr as the bk2, just checked, they use the same pivot for the front arms, so the bk2 front end would work too, u just wouldnt have the vla, which u dont have now anyway

Dr_UpGrade

07-07-2010, 09:21 PM

Yay! Mine is due to arrive tomorrow now.. Can't wait!

Dr_UpGrade

09-07-2010, 07:50 PM

well, picked it up from the post office today and just opened it... sure does look nicely made and 'sturdy' looking... Will try to build it over the next couple of days...

tweeter79

23-07-2010, 03:44 PM

I've been running this buggy for about 3 weeks now. Very agressive steering compared to the stock CR. It took me a bit to find a setup but i got it running pretty good now. I've been adding weight to the rear for more traction and I'm waiting for some 1 & 2 degree hubs to come in.

Gareth Jones

23-07-2010, 04:45 PM

Ran mine for only the second time last night at the Coventry meet.

I do not particularly like the transfer gear & pinion mesh system - which was backed up by me stripping the transfer gear yesterday! I cannot seem to be able to get to the lower motor mount screw when its all bolted together - so time for modifications i think!

After a 15minute wait for Concept Racing to turn up and sell me a new one I was back under way.

I still dont have any spring options so getting the setup right is tricky. Its a bumpy track and I need get some time to build the shocks to suit.

I also managed to snap the small triangle transmition brace in the final heat - however it has to be said in some on the heats I was trying slightly too hard.

In the final I qualified third, got into second fairly quickly and was holding onto the leader until i made a mistake. My bodge on the transmition brace wasn't working too well with the handling all over the place, however i was definately putting in some quick laptimes.

Next week I should have springs, tyres with some tread on and an ally transmition brace. Also the hydra drive may be ready to use. So will be able to get it working properly I hope.

Gareth

Dr_UpGrade

23-07-2010, 08:51 PM

Oh all sounds good guys! Can you post up your set ups for it? I've bulit mine up and now just waiting on a bodyshell. Taplow club I run at has been shut for the last 2 weeks so not really tried it.

Gareth, the only way I got to get to the lower motor screw was to mesh it up on the top one then remove the idler screw adn idler itself and then tighten up the lower mount. Seems to work so far (running up and down the street). Hope that helps with not stripping any more gears!

The Doctor

25-07-2010, 08:44 PM

Hi guys, I'm quite interested in this conversion for my CR. I still really like the original kit and have the set-up pretty dialled, but I could always do with some more steering and love the adjustability of the X6 in the air. So I think this could be my next move. Is anyone bringing them into the UK yet?

Apart from the broken transmission brace and stripped transfer gear mentioned by Gazmidas, has anyone else suffered any breakages?

Migs

26-07-2010, 03:30 AM

just buy the kit off ebay, shipping is cheap, chad runs a neat little operation, but at this stage i think an import deal to uk is not likely, especially when its easy to run a neat little online business like psi and word of mouth has already brought plenty of sales, and happy customers

Dr_UpGrade

26-07-2010, 08:54 PM

Word of warning re buying off ebay, with the additional customs charges, it doesn't work out as cheap as you think (unfortunately). But car seems to handle well so far. First race night will be on friday, so we'll see...

Mark

Gareth Jones

27-07-2010, 06:45 AM

Mark,

Apologies for not posting my setup yet. I haven't really played around with it much to be honest as I haven't got the right springs, pistons or tyres.

This Thursday I will be at Coventry again and should have the correct springs, tyres and pistons from the off.

Once I have been I will get back to you with details.

Gareth

Dr_UpGrade

27-07-2010, 09:50 AM

No Worries Gareth,
Good luck tonite, and looking forward to seeing what you're set up is... what surface is coventry?

I'll be (mainly) on carpet on friday...

Gareth Jones

27-07-2010, 12:32 PM

Not sure if anyone has notices but the PSI bloke "Chad" is not answering emails and all the posts from rctech.net seem to have vanished....

Dr_UpGrade

27-07-2010, 01:11 PM

Gareth,
I can 'see' Chad's posts still on RC tech forum... and also I can see that his email is 'active' on my btinternet email system. Don't forget his recent incedent, maybe he's not as well as he initially thought...

Dr_UpGrade

16-08-2010, 09:08 AM

A quick update from the RCtech forums... It seems Chad's idea has created quite a stir and he's been bought out... They apparently should have kits up and running in a few months, but those of us who've already bought from Chad can still oder replacement parts direct from him...

Could be good news, I guess to get the products out there a bit more and 'mainstream' and share set ups etc.

Gareth Jones

16-08-2010, 12:13 PM

Hopefully i will be able to buy a new top deck and transmition brace then! both have snapped now.....

Cars goes well though :)

Gareth

Smartalec

16-08-2010, 01:12 PM

Hopefully i will be able to buy a new top deck and transmition brace then! both have snapped now.....

Cars goes well though :)

GarethMust be generating loads of grip with all that flex :thumbsup:

Dr_UpGrade

21-08-2010, 07:09 PM

Found out I broke my transmission brace last night too, but a quick bit of hacksawing and drilling of ali, and sorted, and hopefully 'stronger'

:D

Gareth Jones

23-08-2010, 07:35 PM

I too have put an ally brace on my PSI conversion - it has last pretty well, unfortunately the front top deck snap next!

Have you by chance put a hydra drive on yours??

Regards
Gareth

Dr_UpGrade

23-08-2010, 08:13 PM

LOL to the snapping of the topdeck next! (luckily I've got enough ali to make another of those too!) -if/when it comes to it..

I've not tried a hydra drive on it (although I've got an old spare from an XX). Am running on carpet, and I thought the 'advantage' of hydradrive was on more bumpy tracks as it helped keep the momentum of the motor high on landings... But saying that, on a high grip surface like carpet, it sounds like not a bad idea... Must give it a try..

:D

Dr_UpGrade

29-09-2010, 08:31 PM

If anyone is still interested in these, looks like Chad has been busy again... Making internal 4 gear tranny cases....
:thumbsup:

See on the RC tech forum for pics etc (see funkyMojo post 2nd post on this thread). No idea on prices yes, but its all good eh...

liam

30-09-2010, 03:46 PM

i may refit my hydra into the xx

what fluid are you using in it?

I think beer might be to thin!:cry:

Dr_UpGrade

30-09-2010, 08:25 PM

I found some losi 'heavy duty' stuff on ebay, along with a small amount of 'std' hydra fluid.. I think I've read on the losi forums that you can use heavy weight 1/8th diff oil as a replacement if needed, but not sure of actual weights etc...

Gareth Jones

01-10-2010, 06:53 AM

Do you have a link for the 4 gear gearbox's?

I want one desperately as I can't stand the current setup.

Gareth

Dr_UpGrade

01-10-2010, 03:28 PM

Gareth,
All I've seen so far is what Chad has posted (inc pics) on the RC tech forum pages... I've emailed him, but as yet no reply... Keep checking on the RC tech forum too, its what I'm doing!

Gareth Jones

01-10-2010, 03:47 PM

Do you have a link to the correct thread?

Dr_UpGrade

01-10-2010, 03:55 PM

the correct thread is the one funkymojo highlighted on the 2nd post on this thread page 1.

Can't do links :blush: but cut'n'paste is this:

http://www.rctech.net/forum/electric-off-road/378888-psi-racing-mid-motor-conversion-products-65.html

Pics of the 4 gear tranny are on p65 and 66..

Dr_UpGrade

05-10-2010, 07:40 PM

Finally fitted my hydradrive, ready for friday... Will let ya' know how it goes afterwards. Found the PSI gear cover didn't fit with it but a bit of playing around and the old RPM XX one that goes with the hydradrive fits ok...

Gareth Jones

06-10-2010, 06:53 AM

I will be interested to see how you get on. I found that the hydra drive just came lose all the time for some reason. I think the idler gear spacer means the hydra drive does not locate on the flat on the layshaft and then renders it useless.

See if you have a more luck than me!

Gareth

Dr_UpGrade

06-10-2010, 09:52 AM

hum,
mine looks ok so far with just meshing by eye and spinning the wheels off the ground... What spur gear size were you using? I'm using a 86 (red) and that seems to be ok, but did have to play around with the position of the pinion gear so it still meshed with the idler but missed the actual spur itself...

Still we'll see how you get on with the 4 gear internal tranny when you get it... Let me know how it goes...

Mark

Gareth Jones

07-10-2010, 06:54 AM

How did you get on with the hydra-drive?

If it worked ok and didn't come lose can you describe the parts and order you put them on the layshaft?

Gareth

Dr_UpGrade

07-10-2010, 09:19 AM

Hi Gareth,
Am running it on friday, so only bench and street testing so far, but everything seems to be holding up so far...

The order of pieces so far (off the top of my head) was backing plate, friction pad, backing plate (which attaches to spur gear with three plastic prongs, followed by hydradrive unit (with ballrace between spur gear and hydra unit), followed by spring, cap and nut. I did have to wind out the long threaded bar on the layshaft a bit to get all the parts to fit on it, but then locktighted it back in still with 3-5mm of thread inserted in the shaft so I'm hoping it'll still hold...

liam

09-10-2010, 09:12 AM

theres a 90's review of the hydra online that says they do work lose and to check it afte every race

i used mine for the first time and it did work lose

i think the lighter the fluid you put in it the more you will have to tighten the nut on the idle gear giving it "less?" room to pop of

if you get me

Gareth Jones

10-10-2010, 05:24 PM

How did you get on with the hydra drive?

Gareth

Dr_UpGrade

10-10-2010, 06:56 PM

Hi Mate,
On the carpet I needed to tighten up the hydradrive compared to the tarmac but other than that it didn't loosen off. Howver, I didn't get too much track time to get the feel of it as a bit later broke my diff bolt trying to tighten it a bit more and no spare...:cry:

The brief time I had it all working I'd say the hydra was def more progressive than the slipper and did promote less wheelspin when putting the power down. Worth trying again I think... So nothing conclusive but watch this space!

Dr_UpGrade

18-10-2010, 06:54 PM

got my 4 gear tranny case today... Looks a very nice well made piece of kit and will def make sorting out the spur gear mesh and pinion easier.. Can't race for a few weeks due to work commitment, but really looking forward to trying this out!
:thumbsup:

Dr_UpGrade

30-10-2010, 09:09 AM

Well, had a good night last night, hydra drive and 4 gear tranny nicely paired up and car ran well. Definately easier to set the mesh up correctly and tight enough so it didn't slip like the old style idler tranny.

Car drove very well and all I need to do is maybe soften the suspension a bit, as it now seems to drive like the other mid motor cars (mainly cougars and Cr2s and X6s) at the track but from what I can tell from how they look, they are sitting lower in their suspension as they drive through the corners. I've been in contact with Razor on here and I think if I try his losi set up it might help a bit... Always more to try isn't there!

Dr_UpGrade

10-12-2010, 12:57 PM

Just a quick update for anyone who's interested, just caught up on the RCtech site that Chad's folded (or sold/selling) PSI racing due to family commitments... Bit of a shame but reading his posts I can understand his view...

So so far all those with 4 gear trannys make the most of them, as I don't know when the next ones will be out!

also for the actual PSI LMX kit... I've also broken my topdeck (as Gazmidas has...) so perhaps the glass fibre kit isn't strong enough for uk style tracks...?

I've bitten the bullet and bought a CR2 conversion and now running that, all be it with the 4 gear tranny... See you all on the Atomic carbon threads now!

:woot:

Northy

10-12-2010, 01:48 PM

Well I finally got mine after a long wait.

Anyway, even though I asked for a CR2 compatible one I can tell by looking at it that it's not a drop in fit :cry:

Yet to be bothered to clean it up and get it to fit.

G

Gareth Jones

10-12-2010, 02:08 PM

Yeah it is unfortunate, just when I started to get some good setups and plans to race at some proper events!

If anyone has one and fancies selling the chassis let me know - even if there are parts missing etc as I could use the spares....

Gareth

dave-p

10-12-2010, 02:44 PM

g, i had a real birthday getting mine to fit i hope you have a dremmel matey. finally got it in the car and to be truthfull it works fine the only piont i would like to make is that you have to fit a brace on top of the casing where the motor guard would fit as it moves when under load of a quick motor making the layshaft and spur gear run out of true (problem is the gearbox sides are not interlocking like the losi originals).