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I decided to start a new thread for this build now that I've decided to move forward. The original thread is here.
Background:
After a number of scale 4 stroke engines came out, I pondered building a drag car with one. About 2 years ago a scale V8 came out that was small enough to consider, but the engine clearly had issues and the only example out there of an RC car with one in it wasn't looking good performance wise. A year later another company, Cison, released a similar V8 that was vastly better in quality and power, and renewed my interest.
I wanted to build something I could use in 132 ft applications, so it had to be 1/8 or 1/7 in scale at the most. The engine is claimed to be 1/6. After about a year or so of researching parts, and trying to plan out a potential build, I finally had something I thought I could pull off.
The main issues I considered were drivetrain related, and accounting for an engine that could only rev to 11k. I saw what other had done and thought of some other ideas that might achieve the top end that I would need. In the end I came up with a transmission/clutch setup using one from a Kyosho Mad Force.
At first, I had planned on an independent rear suspension, but eventually decided to try building a 4-link that is better suited for drag racing. Again, Kyosho Mad Force parts would do the job with some mods. Brake system, etc, all from Mad Force.
Being a Mopar guy, I saw that there were a couple of body choices to go with - either a Challenger/Demon, or a Viper. After thinking about that, I chose the Viper because of the notion of running the side pipes, and I like the aerodynamics of that body a lot (which is why two of my nitro 1/8th cars use that body). All that was left was the name. I was driving home listening to ZZ Top on Spotify, a song of "Fandango!", and the name "Fangdango!" came to me, so that really settled it. Appropriate since one meaning of the original word is "useless waste of time". Haha.
Wanted to stretch my painting a little, came up with a southwest flavored scheme with some cool accents.
My plan was to start mocking the entire thing up before ordering the engine to make sure things would really fit. So, I spent this very rainy, miserable weekend doing just that.
First, I built the axle.
It's a cut down Mad Force with a locked diff (for now).
I printed out a 3d model of the engine based on the dimensions Cison shows. Then I put together the front suspension, and positioned everything under the body just to make sure it would all fit, and traced out an idea for a lower chassis plate.
After cutting the plate and finishing up the other side of the front suspension, and adding links, it looked to me that not only would it all fit easily, but I would also have plenty of room to have the radiator in the front.
The steering links will probably have to have bends, but I think that should be ok.
Checking the engine position, and rear tires...
Rear tires were very snug, similar to my 1/8th cars. The engine position seemed good to me, give or take a bit either way, depending on the actual Cison engine.
At this point, I felt I had enough proof of concept that I could order the engine without regret! So, it's on the way
Now it's just a matter of mocking the prototype up and getting some measurements, and having the chassis cut. I still have to figure out how I want the upper plate to go, and where other things will go (receiver/receiver battery, throttle servo, etc). I am not sure if the ignition can run off the receiver or that I need a separate pack for that - I noticed it uses the same connector as the receiver though.
Background:
After a number of scale 4 stroke engines came out, I pondered building a drag car with one. About 2 years ago a scale V8 came out that was small enough to consider, but the engine clearly had issues and the only example out there of an RC car with one in it wasn't looking good performance wise. A year later another company, Cison, released a similar V8 that was vastly better in quality and power, and renewed my interest.
I wanted to build something I could use in 132 ft applications, so it had to be 1/8 or 1/7 in scale at the most. The engine is claimed to be 1/6. After about a year or so of researching parts, and trying to plan out a potential build, I finally had something I thought I could pull off.
The main issues I considered were drivetrain related, and accounting for an engine that could only rev to 11k. I saw what other had done and thought of some other ideas that might achieve the top end that I would need. In the end I came up with a transmission/clutch setup using one from a Kyosho Mad Force.
At first, I had planned on an independent rear suspension, but eventually decided to try building a 4-link that is better suited for drag racing. Again, Kyosho Mad Force parts would do the job with some mods. Brake system, etc, all from Mad Force.
Being a Mopar guy, I saw that there were a couple of body choices to go with - either a Challenger/Demon, or a Viper. After thinking about that, I chose the Viper because of the notion of running the side pipes, and I like the aerodynamics of that body a lot (which is why two of my nitro 1/8th cars use that body). All that was left was the name. I was driving home listening to ZZ Top on Spotify, a song of "Fandango!", and the name "Fangdango!" came to me, so that really settled it. Appropriate since one meaning of the original word is "useless waste of time". Haha.
Wanted to stretch my painting a little, came up with a southwest flavored scheme with some cool accents.
My plan was to start mocking the entire thing up before ordering the engine to make sure things would really fit. So, I spent this very rainy, miserable weekend doing just that.
First, I built the axle.
It's a cut down Mad Force with a locked diff (for now).
I printed out a 3d model of the engine based on the dimensions Cison shows. Then I put together the front suspension, and positioned everything under the body just to make sure it would all fit, and traced out an idea for a lower chassis plate.
After cutting the plate and finishing up the other side of the front suspension, and adding links, it looked to me that not only would it all fit easily, but I would also have plenty of room to have the radiator in the front.
The steering links will probably have to have bends, but I think that should be ok.
Checking the engine position, and rear tires...
Rear tires were very snug, similar to my 1/8th cars. The engine position seemed good to me, give or take a bit either way, depending on the actual Cison engine.
At this point, I felt I had enough proof of concept that I could order the engine without regret! So, it's on the way
Now it's just a matter of mocking the prototype up and getting some measurements, and having the chassis cut. I still have to figure out how I want the upper plate to go, and where other things will go (receiver/receiver battery, throttle servo, etc). I am not sure if the ignition can run off the receiver or that I need a separate pack for that - I noticed it uses the same connector as the receiver though.
.
