Epoch with lithiums

[Marq]

Hello. I'm curious, where can I get the, what is it called Shotgun modification kit for my Epoch? It looks like a lithium upgrade with a new motor pod and twin motors? I find my Epoch handles great, but way to slow. My house does not allow room for the Mini-Z's to let loose, so I like the smaller Epoch's and am also working on a 1/32 scale RC car as well. I thought about taking apart my Epoch and making a pan-chassis kit for it, so I need to find this Shotgun kit. Can anybody tell me where I can purchase it? I dont see it listed in the shop unless I'm looking in the wrong places. I have a small lithium battery that I think will work for it.

[Marq]

Nuts, I just lost my front knuckles to my Epoch! AGH! I had the wheels on it too! I wonder where they went? I need to take a look at removing the hub from the knuckle so I can measure it and draw it in AutoCad! HA! Never mind, I found theme. As usual they were right where I left theme! Hate it when that happens! Still, how do I remove the hub from the knuckles without breaking anything? I know how to remove the wheel from the hub, but I need to remove the hub!

[LBRC]

You have to carefully pull the pin.

Negotiating my gallery can be a bit of a chore since it is a little disorganized with albums within albums, as well as descriptions under the photo’s that differ from the thumbnails, but there should be photos and descriptions that will answer most of your questions.

http://lbspd.com/v-web/gallery/album97

[Marq]

Hi there. I looked at your gallery, and it only shows me that it is removed. It does not show me HOW to remove the hub from the knuckle. Whats the status on your Shotgun motor pod? I need to get one of your kits for my pan chassis idea.

[LBRC]

Hold the pin head with a pair of pliers or even dykes then carefully twist and pull the hub off,
http://lbspd.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album97/2_G.jpg
leaving you with three pieces hub, pin, and knuckle.
http://lbspd.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album97/3_G.thumb.jpg
If yours have collected as much lint and hair as this set throw the hair away.

Am a little behind on the mounts, may look like they have a way to go but shouldn’t be too much longer. The good news is that the new/final motors arrived, the bad is that I’m still waiting on gears. But don’t worry Marq I set aside a set for you.
http://lbspd.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album112/Step_1.jpg

[Marq]

Thank you LBRC. I'd really like to add your motor mount set up to my chassis kit. It would make for one hell of a combination upgrade kit for the Epoch's. Carbon Fiber pan chassis, and aluminum tie-rods, knuckles, and your motor pod. What do you think?

[Marq]

Actually LBRC, I need a gold colord set. I need it for my upcoming blue RSX project. Thanks!

[Nerdy Johnson]

why didn't you just call them about it?

[will3kgt]

Hello everyone. I was given one of the Modified Epochs to test for one week by Mini-z at our Ann Arbor race. It was in pieces when he gave it to me :rolleyes: So he told me as long as I put it back together, I could test it...Plus do a write up on it..So here it goes.
Day 1: In pieces, spent most of my night @ work putting it together. (You damn near have to be a watchmaker to work on these.) When I finally got it together, I was able to run..However I had to use the 180 Mah batteries instead of the Li-Po. This thing flies! It seemed like it has two speeds, very punchy off the start, then the speed really kicks in! This is as fast as a stock Mini-z if not faster.
Day 2: More of the same as Day 1. Called badskater21 to tell him that I had the "LBRC built" Epoch and would like to test it on his track.

Day 3: At Badskater21's Epoch test track, we were able to compare and contrast the modded Epoch with a stock one.
They both wieghed pretty much the same. LBRC's weighed a little bit more in the back. (obviously :rolleyes: )
On the track I could only go half throttle down the staights as the car is so fast but very managable. We made video and took pictures that will be forthcoming soon. Must say that this is a amazing little car and as soon as parts are available I'll be one of the first in line for one. Badsketer21 wants one also. So LBRC please put two aside for me and my buddy, this modification is 2nd to none! Excellent work! By the way, if I could send you one of my Epochs could you do the mod for me for a price. Please get back to me on that. Thanks Mini-z for the demo and thanks LBRC for your innovation. Peace.

[cdog4w]

Nice review. I have one too (not as fully modified and TLC'd as yours, I just have turbo and shotgun) and it does make a sweet ride. You're absolutely right on re-assembly though, I had the most trouble getting the servo motor and the charge jack/switch to stay in place while I put the top back on... But well worth it in the end. My new garage has enough space for me to put down my current RCP track setup (45 degree + some extra tiles) so once we finish moving in I can start racing again!

[will3kgt]

Thankyou...Wait until you see the video we've made. Anyway that's very true about the charge stick & getting the servo back in. You have to hope and pray everything falls into place when you put in back together.

[LBRC]

Glad to here that you like them, I have one Basic Super Epoch and One Ultimate Super Epoch ready to go, as well as a couple of Turbo’s and Shotgun mounts for those wanting to tackle a cheaper and more adventurous DIY project. Unfortunately while playing with the gallery settings I erased all of the R&R battery mod instructions (http://lbspd.com/v-web/gallery/album122)but the photo’s tell most of the how to and I plan on redoing and posting it.

Hint, try using the charge plug to hold the jack in place as you put it together :p .

Have made a few changes since sending the first two test cars to Ann Arbor. The latest Shotgun mounts are looking pretty nice
http://lbspd.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album83/Jewl.thumb.jpg http://lbspd.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album83/Jul_06_version.thumb.jpg
with open mounting holes, it's now allot easier to replace the motors if needed, and the RTV used to secure them is easy to find, cheap, strong, and shock resistant, while being easy to remove and clean off.

Will3gk which of the two Ann Arbor test cars do you have the one with the orange motors or the red, and which pinions does it have the white 7 or orange 8 tooth?

This little beauty turned out particularly sweet with it’s ball bearing front hubs, upgraded steering servo motor, and turbo bypass plug so you can use the stock motor driver output instead of the turbo anytime you want a little less torque.
http://lbspd.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album125/USE.jpg

Chuckyluv somewhere around DG has one similar to it.

[will3kgt]

Hello LBRC! Glad I get to email you. I have the red motored epoch I believe. (I'm at work at the moment and I don't have the car in front of me.) Your new motors are a work of art I must say. I was just about to ask you if you were going to make motor mounts that had more holes on the bottom for adjusting as I couldn't get it on my Calsonic Skyline body or my Esso Supra body (Yes, I'm one of the few who has both bodies :D ) I'm looking forward to testing and owning some of your new innovations. Can't wait to see what you do with a miniz-lit when they come out.

[LBRC]

Can’t wait for the Lit either, or to be more precise I can’t wait for the standard hop-ups, especially with luck a diecent ball differential. At RCX I got a good long look at the Lit and the funny thing is that I’m thinking for racing fans at least an Epoch chassis is going to be one of the hottest Lit hop-up part must haves. My plan is to mate the too cars using the Lit electronics and differential in a battery modded Epoch chassis w/custom Shotgun motor mount of course. With luck the front kingpins will be the same diameter for even more hybrid possibilities.

Sort of an odd but one thought I had while pawing over the Lit was wondering how the taller wheels would look and fit in a Spec-1 body.

[cdog4w]

LBRC, do you plan to sell pre-modded front bearing wheels or perhaps a mail in mod service for it? I'd send in or buy a set for sure!

Kyosho certainly is making us wait for the Lit... I heard that Japan pricing looks similar to the AWD chassis set (MZR). Puts it around $130 US. I'm thinking not worth it for the car alone if no hopups come out, but if you can buy parts and improve performance then I could see a reason for the steep pricetag. Some people just don't have the room for a full size mini-z track which is, of course, why most of us are here (aside from epochs being cool period :)

[LBRC]

There are two problems; the big one is drilling out the bearing hole consistently I’m getting better at it but occasionally one still comes out off center, and I haven’t found a consistent way to make axles, it’s still trial and error even with the carbon fiber two to three sets until I get a matching pair.

I have a new jig I’ve been working on that should cut the irreplaceable center drill rejects down. The problem with the axles is that there needs to be a way to keep them from pushing in as you repeatedly take the wheels on and off, I can use carbon fiber rod and machine a bead but as you can imagine that’s a bit time consuming, but I have found some bras bushings the right size, and if I can now find the correct diameter rod, preferably CF, I’ll have the problem licked.

Have been making/modifying sets for people as time permits with a one for one exchange policy, but of necessity due to time and my limited stock of spare hubs have had to charge more than I want.

[will3kgt]

I figured you'd have both spec-1 bodies LBRC. I hope I can send you one of my Epochs to mod out..for a decent price of course. Please drop me an email
if you get a chace.

[Reaperman93010]

lbrc, it's good to hear the front bearings are comming along. I can never resist spending money on the little devils. I'll wait for your jig before I start the pm/begging process. :rolleyes:

looks like it would be a real pain to mod them without a jig.

how is your shotgun final motor/gear combo? is it a big upgrade from previous models?

[arfin]

The new shotgun mounts are looking very good. I'm glad your still updating the designs. Although the first batch are already very impressive. I just pulled out my box of epochs a few days ago actually, and thought i'd check out the site. Your shotgun setup is still working perfectly, i forgot how fast it was. Also i Was wondering if you will be updating your website and sell your hop ups? I'm dying for those long lasting batteries man, i'm desperate!

[dougcmd]

im interested in buying a modded epoch, say with the shotgun motor mount, etc, email me some pics and your price--dougcmd@yahoo.com