I'm at a loss and about to just give up...

[Pghgamer]

I'm running a Losi XXX-SCT in stock CORR. Currently I have a Viper 17.5T motor and a Novak GTB2 esc with a gearing of 27/84. I'm really new to this hobby and have fun running the truck but my truck is a real dog and neither I are many of the guys at my local track can figure out why.

I'm on an indoor, high bite track and am running a good tire/ shock combo. Of course I can always be a better driver but the frustrating part is not having the punch to get over the humps. I literally see my car struggling to try and produce torque.

I've tried several gear ratios: 25/78; 27/78; 27/82; & my current 27/84.

A couple guys mentioned turning the bell timing all the way up to see if it would help. It actually ran slower and when I pulled it off the track it was at 183 degrees. (I normally run at around 110)

On another note I run my Stock Truck with an Orion 17.5 and a Speed Passion Short Course Master and the thing has a ton of balls. I mean, I know that it's a lighter truck...but by how much?

I'm sorry for the rant but I Really am at a loss and have no clue what to do. I mean, sure I could just go out and get a Tekin RS 17.5 T combo but after buying both trucks and everything I need to race & pit I'm regretfully on a fixed budget for the time being.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

~John

[Stone2192]

I'm sure there are a ton of answers \ opinions. One that comes to my mind is if all your solder joints are good. Battery, esc, motor leads, could be as simple as a bad solder joint not giving you the amps you need for the motor.

[K_B]

Have you tried swapping the batteries around between the trucks? Could be a bad battery.

Also, advancing the timing reduces your torque and increases your top speed. Decreasing your timing adds torque/lowers top speed.

[Zkid09]

Id check all solders, connections, wires first. Then try a diff battery.

Does it have top speed just no torque??

[elk]

We're running a 16t pinion at our indoor carpet track. The acceleration for 17.5 class is brutal with this setup, but the track is a fairly small one with lots of corners and 2 hairpins.

Try dropping your pinion a gear or two first.

[Pghgamer]

the batteries are good and I have switched them around. I'll check the soldering between esc & motor but it looks pretty solid. We're on a pretty tight clay track too so maybe a different gearing set-up? I'll turn the motor back down to default set-up.

Any other thoughts?

[TRCE]

1. Make sure your setting on the radio are all the way up.
2. Your motor AND esc would be at the bottom of my list as far as electronics go. So i wont be much help there because i have never used either. my recomendation would be a trinity 17.5 monster hp and a MMP or rs. But make sure your esc is not turned down.

[Brent701]

Do a recalibration to the ESC with your radio. it will put everything in the ESC at default (It should anyways)
I know Novak has a sensor test feature in the ESC. try that. It will check the sensor board in the Motor.
Have you switched Sensor cables?
What are others at the track using for gearing?

You can try to go way down on the pinion. I did on my B4.1 with that same motor and it wouldn't go anywhere. I run a 32/72 but in a Buggy and 20/84 in a 2wd truck with a 13.5T motor

tray going lower on the pinion like a 20 and leave the Spur at 84 and check temps every 2 mins.

You need to find the sweet spot on the motor/esc for the track.

I was off the chart on gearing on my buggy till I installed what viper told me to install 33-34/72. I went with 32, I needed a little more low end.

good luck

[Pghgamer]

Wonder if I should switch out the viper and get a used Novak 17.5T SS Pro, reset the ESC and work on my gearing. How's 25/78 sound? I think cos of a indoor track I think I would be better with a low end torque racer.

Thought?

~John

[Brent701]

Originally Posted by Pghgamer

Wonder if I should switch out the viper and get a used Novak 17.5T SS Pro, reset the ESC and work on my gearing. How's 25/78 sound? I think cos of a indoor track I think I would be better with a low end torque racer.

Thought?

~John

My thought and my opinion

the viper is a better motor.
More power, looks nicer 17.5T vs 17.5T,

I have a 17.5T and racing with 13.5T's It has no problem at all holding it's own or passing them in blinkly mode.

But it's your truck your money
:)

[Pghgamer]

Then I need a new Speedo cos the current combo I have isn't working

[Pghgamer]

Maybe I just bite the bullet and buy the viper ESC. I just don't get that the viper 17.5 and the GTB2 is such a bad combo. It could just be me....Or I could just reset the Viper timing, default the GTB2 and drop to like a 23/78.

Thoughts?

[mjc597]

have you checked to make sure your slipper clutch isn't really loose? or maybe something with the diff in the rear? just throwing stuff out there..

[Brent701]

Originally Posted by mjc597

have you checked to make sure your slipper clutch isn't really loose? or maybe something with the diff in the rear? just throwing stuff out there..

He has a good point

Originally Posted by Pghgamer

Maybe I just bite the bullet and buy the viper ESC. I just don't get that the viper 17.5 and the GTB2 is such a bad combo. It could just be me....Or I could just reset the Viper timing, default the GTB2 and drop to like a 23/78.

Thoughts?

Call Viper tomorrow. They can help ya.

I ordered the combo's for my trucks/cars and haven't had one problem with them.

[Elad22]

I'd take an hour or two and swap electronics and put the SP combo in your carpet rig. If there's a noticeable difference then you'll know that your Novak/Viper combo is suspect and you can go from there. ....just what I would do.

[Famous112]

Originally Posted by Elad22

I'd take an hour or two and swap electronics and put the SP combo in your carpet rig. If there's a noticeable difference then you'll know that your Novak/Viper combo is suspect and you can go from there. ....just what I would do.

Check and Rebuild your Diff, If you have a ball diff the balls could be broke ( hehe )
If its gear then one may be broke or one could not be sitting right, something else may be it, but if its trying then its the slipper or the diff

[Pghgamer]

I think i'll drop in the speed passion in the SCT and check the diff as well.

Maybe it'll fix the situation. I'll keep you all posted. Thanks a ton for all your help. I truly appreciate it!

[Hvrc]

ever find out your issue?

[discgolferlee]

Originally Posted by Pghgamer

Maybe I just bite the bullet and buy the viper ESC. I just don't get that the viper 17.5 and the GTB2 is such a bad combo. It could just be me....Or I could just reset the Viper timing, default the GTB2 and drop to like a 23/78.

Thoughts?

man I was running the gtb2 with a viper 13.5 motor was NO ISSUES. ran very well together. either think you have a bad motor somehow or binding issues elsewhere.

[mjc597]

is your truck a dog compared to the others you race with?? what esc's are they using, cause they might be running boost..i went to a track sat night and at the meeting the rd answered a ? reguarding boost..cuz guys with novak esc's didn't have the boost feature like the tekin's did...and they noticed an unfair advantage in the 17.5 class..just throwing ideas out there..