Traxxas Villain EX brushless build

[emspjay]

So as most you know I love the old FE boats and converting them to new electronics. I have a brand new original kit version of the original Traxxas Villain IV boat NIB and was going to build it all custom with new electronics. But I was sourcing parts for the build and could not find the newer Villain motor mounts, so I purchased a whole Villain EX from Ebay to use the motor mounts. Once the EX arrived I thought to myself why not just rebuild this EX and leave the original Villain NIB? So here we go! Custom Villain EX brushless build!! Boat was in decent shape when it arrived but it has yellowed a little due to age, might not see how much in the pics but it has yellowed. So this is how I got it and tonight I stripped to a bare hull, and epoxied in the switch and antenna holes in the hatch. It will get a good cleaning and a fresh coat of white paint. I will be doing the new paint and decals like the original IV version.
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[emspjay]

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[emspjay]

So I got it painted and got some original Villain IV Decals put on it. I don't think I am going to put the dark blue lower hull decals on it. I found a picture online of a real 1:1 Villain IV with light blue upper hull sides (First picture). My main question right now is should I apply a clear coat over the decals and hull now? Do you guys normally do a clear coat over your base paint and decals?
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[emspjay]

Got all my new stuff so I can start the fun part or the build!

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[emspjay]

Got the new full ball bearing drive line installed. Slowly making progress.

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[emspjay]

Got the new motors, radio tray, and servo in. Was originally going to make a new servo tray but to save time I used the original one. This is not going to be a speed demon or show queen so why waste the time. ESC's will be mounted on the sides of the hull up by the batteries. Ordered my new props and connectors from the OSE store today.

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[emspjay]

Got the ESC's in and plumbed. What a plumbing nightmare. I just got the stock single inlet teed off to the ESC's and then motors with an exit on each side. Not very worried about heat with 3550 3500KV motors on 2S each with 45mm cnc props. Just got to get the RX in and everything set and put the props on! Just want this boat to be fast enough that is not boring to drive but not too fast that my dog won't try and chase it (My dog hates the Zonda! it's too fast and she gets bored).
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[Jesse J]

Nice work man,
I have one, and it looks best when 15-20 mph. Still over a scale 100mph , but better than scale 400 and bouncing all over. Lemme dig up a video..

Here it is

[emspjay]

Nice work man,
I have one, and it looks best when 15-20 mph. Still over a scale 100mph , but better than scale 400 and bouncing all over. Lemme dig up a video..

Here it is

Thanks Jesse! That is a good looking boat in the video, very nice paint! It sure does porpoise a lot at speed. I wonder if you can play with the drive angles to help that?

[Jesse J]

Now that I see the vid was in Montana, I remember it was one of the first test runs.
I think I had it running better after moving to Houston. I’ll keep looking.

[emspjay]

All done! New radio system in and all set up ready for the maiden run! Hope it goes well when I get the time and weather!
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[Jesse J]

Hey Jason,
For the NIB one I got from you, I’m going to stick with brushed titan motors for low end smoothness and single esc.
I don’t think I’ll be using the resistor esc...
I’m also gonna use some stainless steel u joints with the outdrives. I’m goin the classy route!
Do you have the dimensions handy for the bearings? I’d rather not load up the hull with oil that inevitably leaks from the stuffing tubes. I would like to eliminate the shoe box look...
I’ll get my own build thread going once I get underway.

Here is the video when I had her running good

[emspjay]

Hey Jesse,

It's running real good in that video! Can't wait to see the build of the new one! I should probably upgrade my u joints as well. The bearings are flanged 4x8x3mm and the k&s tubing is 11/32. Courtesy of gsbuickman in his thread in the link below post #10.

https://forums.offshoreelectrics.com...hlight=villian

[emspjay]

Did my test run today with 2s battery on each side. Ran really good not fast but not slow, had a bit of porpoise so I need to play with the drive angles. But I am happy with it. If I run it on 3s per side I think it would be really fast!! I'm going to play with the drive angles before I try some 3s packs in it.

[Jesse J]

Kinda glad it needs some tweaks?
Thanks for bearings link. Got them and slowly moving forward.
Ready for your vid of success