Ballsoutbaja's Losi 5-ive (Pic Heavy)

[BallsoutBaja]

Just about got her done with wanted upgrades before I take her out to the first races so I thought it’s time to post up what I’ve been doing with my “New to me” 5-ive.

Well, I picked up my Losi from another member in the San Diego area after I sold my Basher 5T and one of my prized planes. Wasn’t happy to see either of them go but now that I’ve been messing around with the 5-ive, I quickly forgot about the other 2 RCs……

She came pretty much stock other than a lightly beat-up body, SNR dual servo set-up with only one new Hitech 5765 HV servo, an Orion LiFe04 battery pack and Team Chase CV quick coupling. Couple odds and ends here and there as well as spare parts but, that’s exactly what I was looking for. I wanted a stock rig and I had already planned on getting the SNR set-up first. So that was a bonus. Oh yeah, she came as a roller as well (no motor).

So first on the list was to contact O’Neill Brothers Racing to get a mill started. After talking with Dan, we decided on a Zen 30.5 Full Mod Losi engine. I was thinking of going with a Losi 30.5 TR/OBR reed-case but funds were a little tight after buying the rig and I plan to just race with it so, the 30.5 Full Mod will have no problem getting the rig around the track quick!

Up next was getting the SNR dual servo set-up finished and installed. First I removed the stock throttle/brake servo and put that in the spare parts bin. Then I took the stock steering servo, moved that over to the throttle/brake servo spot. Placed my first order to DDM which was to get the other 5765HV servo and of course an Outterwear for the intake, team fast eddy screw bump stops, Dark Soul fuel line quick connects, and craftwerks HPI Baja wheel adapters/extenders for the Losi.

While I was waiting for the OBR mill and DDM order to come in, I placed an order with Hostile Racing for his Losi clutchbell carrier and rear hubs. He was also just releasing his new Ultra Beadlock rings so I asked for 2 more black, to finish up the set with the 2 he sent me for testings, and another 4 in blue.

I also contacted Turtle Racing and placed an order for his Clutch carrier bump stop, front/rear chassis braces, V2 pull start and his new Losi “Grabber” bell.

I received my DDM order first, thanks Dave and crew, damn you guys are quick! So I got to work. I couldn’t wait to finish up the radio tray so I installed the 2 5765 servos, set the radio up and tested everything on the bench. All was smooth but I was getting a slight “buzz” from the steering servos so I had to re-adjust the linkage between the two servos as they were fighting each other slightly. I adjusted, tested, adjusted some more, tested and finally got the linkage perfect where there’s no fighting or buzzing going on. Installed and tested with the rig on the ground and damn! That’s a quick steering set-up! Moves the front wheels from lock to lock with authority!!


I didn’t know what tire/rim combos I was going to run but I did know I have a crap load of HPI Baja 5T wheels around the shop so I wanted to make sure I had no problem running fronts or rears so I installed the craftwerks Losi extenders. With these, I can run whatever combo I like or is best for the track I’ll be running on.




I quickly realized I needed to have access to the chassis to install the team fasteddy screw bump stops and I thought to myself, “Damn it Balls, you need to remove everything you have already installed!” Hold on a minute, I’ve read how easy it is to work on the Losi compared to the Baja so, out came the manual and away I went. I was pleasantly surprised when I had the front and rear sections off in like 10-15 minutes!! Freakin’ outstanding as I had access to where I needed to install the bump stops. Seeing as the rig was slightly used when I got it, there were already marks where the stock screws were digging into the chassis. Crabbed the drill and tap set, tapped the holes and bam, I was done and bump stops installed. Replaced the front/rear sections in another 10-15 minutes and we were rockin’!

Next package that came in was from OBR. My new 30.5 Losi Full Mod long-block was on my bench and ready for the TR pull-start and Hostile Racing clutch bell carrier but I hadn’t got those packages yet. I waited about a week but I couldn’t wait any longer. (Hostile Rob was waiting for bearings to come in for the carrier and Turtle Dave was getting ready for 2 weekends of racing/bashing so it was going to be a bit longer) So I decided to install the engine with a beat-up pull start, stock clutch bell and carrier. Got to work installing everything onto the engine with a new 990 carb and stock exhaust. Once the engine was done, dropped it in, (way, way easier than on an HPI) and with the ds fuel line quick connects, it was simple to hook everything up. Took it out of the garage and primed the engine and she fired up on the second pull! Damn OBR, that’s what I’m talking about. Ran 3 heat cycles and then ran her up and down the road for the first time.


Finally got a call from Hostile Rob and he let me know my package was on the way. Got it in a couple days and immediately got to work installing the clutch bell carrier and rear hubs. Nothing went unexpected and as per all the HPI Baja stuff that Hostile makes, workmanship is great and install is straight forward.



While Turtle Dave was out having some well deserved fun, I found a thread on RClargescale talking about the darksoul Dual servo set-up and the harness he sells for it. Well, seeing as I used to make LED kits and do all my own wiring, I decided to make my own wire harness. I had everything on hand and what you’re looking at is basically the same as DS harness minus the power output to the rcvr. I wired it up so I could run a Y-harness from the on/off switch with one end going to the harness and the other to the rcvr. Not knocking Ted from DS but I just didn’t see a reason to have power going straight into the wiring mess just to come back out when a Y-harness is easy to make and is one less point of failure in the harness. I have 2 plugs with power and signal going to both steering servos and then, in the nest, the signal wire is spiced into one and has its own plug. Another plug is for the throttle/steering and also has the power/signal wires going into the nest but then the signal wire is split and on its own plug. There is one extra connecter that I left for use with a transponder/voltage monitor or anything else that would need just power to operate. There is no signal going to that connector. All 4 plugs have their power spliced together and joined into one plug that connects to the Y-harness off the on/off switch. For those of you that don’t understand why something like this is needed, it’s basically because now you’re able to feed power straight to the servos and they don’t have to pull power through the rcvr which in turn is more than what the rcvr is made to handle with a dual ¼ scale servo set-up on steering..




Last week, I got my order from Turtle Racing and had a chance to install his goodness. :clap: First was to pull the Hostile Racing clutch bell carrier and get the new “Grabber” bell installed as well as the TR bump stop.




I did have to modify the bump stop to be used on the Hostile carrier but only slightly. Here you can see where I had to sand just a bit off:


Here’s the bump stop installed and as you can see, everything fits perfect!


Then it was on to installing the Turtle Racing front/rear braces. I don’t know how it happened but I may have ordered 2 front braces instead of one each so as of right now, I have an e-mail into Turtle Dave asking what I need to do. But in the mean-time, I installed the front and that was easy as well. 3 screws, out with the stock and in with the TR. 



And here she sits for now in all her glory! I’ll update more as I race and replace/upgrade. Next on my list is a KillerRC Superbee but other than that, we’ll see. I’m waiting for Phatdad and KrakenRC to come out with more stuff. As soon as KrakenRC gets more Losi pins in stock and finishes up his Quick Release for the Losi, those are going on. As well as Phatdad drive-train parts!!!





Balls………….Out

[gohan]

Well Done...

You spend all that money on upgrades and then you ghetto the exhaust?......record scraaatch...... LOL

Just bustin yer balls......

I'd put an x-port for more grunt if youre gonna ghettoize the pooter brah....

[BallsoutBaja]

Originally Posted by gohan

Well Done...

You spend all that money on upgrades and then you ghetto the exhaust?......record scraaatch...... LOL

Just bustin yer balls......

I'd put an x-port for more grunt if youre gonna ghettoize the pooter brah....

Yeah, I hear you Mel... I still don't know what to do with the exhaust. My OBR boys are telling me to get the Losi exhaust but I just read that Luna is coming out with a killer pipe and I like the looks of that and the one I had for a couple days on the Military-give-away build was sick! That and all the others, too many decisions.... And to be honest, I'm looking! I hate the stock pipe on this OBR mill!! I need more low-end...

Wait, I have a couple export spacers laying around. Are you saying I could install those between the engine and stock can? Would it help???

[tectic]

I think You need to adjust your steering linkage from the top of the servo arm to the underside to stop stress on the carbon servo horn!

Nice Losi a Victory RC big bore pipe would do the engine a world of good

[BallsoutBaja]

Originally Posted by tectic

I think You need to adjust your steering linkage from the top of the servo arm to the underside to stop stress on the carbon servo horn!

Nice Losi a Victory RC big bore pipe would do the engine a world of good

Nice catch, thank you! I'll be changing that tonight.

I know........ I need to get rid of that stock can bad! The bottom end is bogging down soooo much and I know that engine can pull a stump! I've been looking and looking at pipes and I just can't decide. OBR is suggesting the Losi Tuned Pipe but I know Lunatik is coming out with one too.... I've heard good things about all the pipes out there right now. VRC, Bartelone, Samba, and Flow Systems. I've heard good things about them all. I just need to save up some cash and decide. But I do know I want something to replace that stock can!!!

[ocbaja]

Nice looking rig!! Just an FYI - The stinger extension tube you added will kill the power of the can!

[BallsoutBaja]

Originally Posted by ocbaja

Nice looking rig!! Just an FYI - The stinger extension tube you added will kill the power of the can!

Yeah, thanks for bringing that up. Wasn't thinking about anything other than keeping the sludge out of the inside of the body but that's a good point.

Until I get a tuned pipe, I'm thinking I'm going to gut the stock can and remove the extension. Thanks

[Scope75]

I've had a few different pipes and I now run FlowSystem pipes on my engines. They are built great, the performance and sound is killer too.

[BallsoutBaja]

Originally Posted by Scope75

I've had a few different pipes and I now run FlowSystem pipes on my engines. They are built great, the performance and sound is killer too.

Sweet, thanks.. Right now, all input is good input as I'm still a Losi noob... :)

Holly crap.... $290 at ddm.... :( But it sounds like a great pipe...

[Scope75]

I've really liked mine since the first time I ran with it. I've used it on a Reed case engine and a piston port and the FlowSystem pipe works great on both types of engines.
Get with FlowSystem and ask for a Scope75 pipe and the last I heard they cost 275 shipped.

[badger]

Originally Posted by Scope75

I've had a few different pipes and I now run FlowSystem pipes on my engines. They are built great, the performance and sound is killer too.

Unless Eric has redesigned the Flowsystems pipe to fit on the Losi better and not have the end of the pipe sitting so close to the air filter/intake then I would not get the pipe. I actually think that the pipe is drying out the oil in my DT-1 filters after long hard runs.

I still have not found the perfect pipe for the 5ive, the bartolone makes nice power but is obnoxiously loud, the Samba pipe makes nice power as well and it's the best sounding pipe I've heard, but the damn thing doesn't fit like it should in the cage.

[BallsoutBaja]

Yeah, that's pretty close Badger... also, it looks like the exit stinger is pointed straight into the chassis. Or is that just the pic?

I'm liking the looks for the new Lunatik pipe that's coming out. Any news on that?

[Scope75]

The very tip of the pipe by the air filter is the coolest spot on the pipe but I'm sure it still gets hot guess I'll have to run the truck hard and check it out. I've rsn the FlowSystem pipe for a while and haven't had a problem with it drying out my filters or anything.
It would be nice if it did fit a little better but you listed 2 other pipes that you have that don't fit right or it's to loud so it seems like most pipes out for the 5ive all have some pros and cons.
I like my FlowSystem pipe and I think it'll be the last pipe I buy. I'm also going to see about getting a VRC big bore pipe.

[badger]

Originally Posted by Scope75

The very tip of the pipe by the air filter is the coolest spot on the pipe but I'm sure it still gets hot guess I'll have to run the truck hard and check it out. I've rsn the FlowSystem pipe for a while and haven't had a problem with it drying out my filters or anything.
It would be nice if it did fit a little better but you listed 2 other pipes that you have that don't fit right or it's to loud so it seems like most pipes out for the 5ive all have some pros and cons.
I like my FlowSystem pipe and I think it'll be the last pipe I buy. I'm also going to see about getting a VRC big bore pipe.

I spoke with Mark Hull (tgn) and Trevor today about the DT-1 filter and the pipe being so close to it and both of them are not worried about the pipe generating enough heat there to cause any problems so I'm not going to worry about it either. I'm glad because the TS reed motor with Flowsystems pipe I've been running has been an absolutely incredible combo for power and even with a 18T pinion it does not run out of gearing on the straights of the track like my Zen G290 does.

I've been hesitating on ordering the flowsystems pipe for my TS reed motor but Trevor told me that my reed motor will be done in a couple weeks. So I'm definitely going to pull the trigger on the FS pipe because I know exactly how well it's going to perform on my motor.

Bottom line, I think the performance of the flowsystems pipe on a TS reed motor definitely outweighs the cons.

[Scope75]

Originally Posted by badger

Bottom line, I think the performance of the flowsystems pipe on a TS reed motor definitely outweighs the cons.

Same reason I run a FlowSystem pipe on my engines the performance makes up for the cons.

If you get a chance run the FlowSystem pipe on your 290 and see what you think.

[badger]

Originally Posted by Scope75

Same reason I run a FlowSystem pipe on my engines the performance makes up for the cons.

If you get a chance run the FlowSystem pipe on your 290 and see what you think.

I told myself that I was only going to run the TS reed motor I'm buying as a race motor, problem is that I don't know if I can go back to running the G290 so I may never get a chance to run the FS pipe on it. :mrgreen: That is unless I get a second 5ive.

[Troyster]

You may want to consider getting more than one pipe; I currently have a low end (losi), mid (flowsystem), and mid/high (vrc) which allows me to quickly change the power band/performance of the engine depending on where I am going to run (think small track vs big track). Also at some point your primary pipe will break so its nice to have a backup and not have to go back to that stock can. My losi pipe has yet to break, vrc cracked at the brackets (has a really nice weld on it now!), and the flowsystem bracket broke at the top bolt hole.

[badger]

Originally Posted by Troyster

You may want to consider getting more than one pipe; I currently have a low end (losi), mid (flowsystem), and mid/high (vrc) which allows me to quickly change the power band/performance of the engine depending on where I am going to run (think small track vs big track). Also at some point your primary pipe will break so its nice to have a backup and not have to go back to that stock can. My losi pipe has yet to break, vrc cracked at the brackets (has a really nice weld on it now!), and the flowsystem bracket broke at the top bolt hole.

I have two pipes (Bartolone & Samba) right now and will have a third (flowsystems) pipe soon enough. From what I understand about reed motors is they require a larger expansion chamber on the pipe to constantly provide the reeds with the added air flow they need. I personally don't like to take the pipe on and off my motors a lot, I would rather just change out pinions for different track conditions.

I have a complete motor (G290 with TS top end kit) with everything on it just in case my primary motor has issues I can swap in my backup motor in less then 5 minutes with only removing the 4 motor mount bolts.

[Scope75]

Originally Posted by badger

I told myself that I was only going to run the TS reed motor I'm buying as a race motor, problem is that I don't know if I can go back to running the G290 so I may never get a chance to run the FS pipe on it. :mrgreen: That is unless I get a second 5ive.

The only reason I bought w G290 is to have an ol reliable engine for when everything else fails or my mod engines are out for service or more/different mods. I'm running a 290 right now because Eric has my BZM and I'm sending out my OBR reed engine to be checked over.
Oh and get yourself another 5ive then you can have one setup for offroad and the other for oval/8 racing.

[Scope75]

Originally Posted by Troyster

You may want to consider getting more than one pipe; I currently have a low end (losi), mid (flowsystem), and mid/high (vrc) which allows me to quickly change the power band/performance of the engine depending on where I am going to run (think small track vs big track). Also at some point your primary pipe will break so its nice to have a backup and not have to go back to that stock can. My losi pipe has yet to break, vrc cracked at the brackets (has a really nice weld on it now!), and the flowsystem bracket broke at the top bolt hole.

I have multiple pipes and engines so having backups isn't a problem.
I'd also just change pinions for the different tracks or bash spots because changing pipes takes to long and changes more then what a pinion swap does. I want my engines to make power from the start no matter what type of driving I'm doing.