Engine swap

[rndtrp]

I was given a Smartech on-road car a few weeks ago and I had no idea what to do with it. I know what you're going to say "throw it in the trash". The engine had lost compression after it was run well over 300 degrees for most of an afternoon. I did a a little research and found that a replacement engine costs around $60.00. I decided if I was going to spend that much on a Smartech engine I may as well up it a few dollars and buy something more reliable, after all the car is in great shape. I purchased a new AE .15 made for the RC10GT for $75.00 on Ebay. Turns out that the engines are manufactured by the company Thunder Tiger. The AE came with an SG crank and the Smartech had a standard or threaded shaft. I was able to swap the crank from the Smartech .15CXP into the AE .15 because they had the same size journal. I then routed out the backing plate so that the Smartech starter shaft would fit and installed new OFNA 1/8 scale clutch shoes. Because of the larger than normal clutch bell on the Smartech, they were a perfect fit with the stock black OFNA springs. For $75.00 and a little time I added a new car to my stable. Pics in my gallery.

 

[RatzoRC]

Very thought out project.
How does it handle the new motor?

 

[militarymaxx]

Good job on all the swap outs. How's the integrity of the backplate after the mod ?

 

[rndtrp]

Swap

Everything is great. I don't know how fast these things are stock, but it flys now. It will smoke all four tires right from the line, time for new ones. As far the backplate, no runs, no drips, no errors.