Simple Motor Upgrade?

[ninjasword71]

I am new to real life rc flying but have flown a few with great success. I was looking for a basic motor mod that makes fling in a little wind more bearable that does not include buying a crapload of other stuff. I have flown flight simulators for way too many hrs and have flown helis before coming across a great deal on 2 birds. I practiced on the Firebird Stratos a few flights and then took the Super Cub out. A world of a difference but feels slightly under powered. My cub won't win any prizes because it has duct tape holding the cowl and on the sides. Flies great otherwise. I don't want crazy, just more fun.

[gagallagher04401]

Have I got the perfect setup for you

450 Sport (includes 4mm prop adapter) = 20.00
32A Power Up ESC (I used a spare E-flite 30A I had) = 22.00
GWS 1060 prop = 3.25 for (2) (already had, that is the prop I used on stock cub with lipo's)
(2) TP SG90 Servo (typical 9g micro servo) = 4.00 a piece
Supercub motor mount they sell = 20.00
Total = $73.25 + 2.00 shipping
Had everything within 5 days
I did have to buy a Rx, Ar600 = 50.00
I use 3S lipos from 1550-2200mah 20-25C (Already had)
Then sell the old crap on Ebay or what ever, I upgraded for virtually nothing.
I also used the aluminum mount they make, looks good, make life easy, and is strong and lite.
I mounted my ESC in the cowl zipped tied to the motor mount for the extra weight need after removed all the heavey brushed electronics.

Since I have done this I enojoy the cub much more, I also fly alot on floats so this setup works great for it. Check out my vids on youtube to see it fly. my name on Youtube is
gagallagher04401.

Hope this helps, their are many options for upgrading.

Thanks
George

[ninjasword71]

Thanks for the reply but that upgrade sounds a tad challenging for someone who has never really fiddled on the electronic part of flying. I'm 40 yrs old and learn quick. Is there a motor upgrade that doesn't require all new parts?

[flydiver]

Unfortunately....no. You want more power, you have to play.

The ESC + RX are proprietary and brushed. They have to go.
If you want to go brushless you pretty much need to change everything but the servos. Even the battery is too limited for the increased draw of a more powerful motor. It'll work but have a short life.

That's often the big drawback to buying an RTF package. Most of the electrics have limited upgrade potential.

[gagallagher04401]

ninjasword71

You should not have any probs with doing a brushless upgrade. literlly pull the old brushed stuff out, and replace with the new brushless items. If you need help we can walk you through it.

George

[toff]

Ninjasword: I presume you are still flying a brushed supercub?
I had plenty of power with my brushed cub and a 3S lipo. Brushless does not mean better, by any means.....
At the moment I have a 1700kv motor powering my SC, on a 3S 2200 lipo....WOOOOO...lots of power!!!! Hmm, no...too much power. I ususally fly on one quarter, as full just makes lots of high speed loops.
It's a trainer, designed to fly slowly. The wing is designed for maximum lift, meaning lots of 'UP', when power is applied! I'm not sure what the maximum speed is for the SC Is:
possibly this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB7eA7giQQE

If you are still learning, stay with the cub.
Can you fly with ailerons? If not, do the aileron mod first. Learn to fly 4 channel on a slow plane. Most sport planes are 4 channel.
Stand up-walk - run - tear up the sky like a Mothe-f--cker!
You are at the walk stage.
And, I promise, no matter how good you are, you will still crash.
Smile, learn and have fun!
Chris.

[Dillzio]

and I don't think it's been mentioned yet, but you'll have to change the servos too to upgrade the motor. I know it sounds strange, but to change the motor you have to change the ESC/receiver uni as well. That unit has weird 5 pin servo connectors and every other receiver known to man has three pin plugs, so your servos will also have to go.

There is no simple motor upgrade for the super cub, all the electronics must be changed and you need a new motor mount.

Motor $20
alumninium motor mount $20
ESC $20
Two servos from hobbyking $6
New radio (transmitter and receiver) $30 - $300
Batteries from hobbyking $10 each

If you just want more power on a tight budget wack on a 10x6 APC or TGS prop, but use wide open throttle sparingly or you will burn out the stock ESC.

BTW i recommend a 3536 motor for upgrade. It may be a little bigger than you need, but you need some weight up front or the cub will end up unbalanced.

Oh, and to make it go faster, without shooting up into the air, I've added a couple of little washers to the top of my motor mount to get a little more down angle, works great.

[ninjasword71]

Thanks for all the great advise everyone. Since I am quite new to flying planes I brought my plane along when I wet to visit my daughter. She wanted to see it fly. Well it was windy, quite windy with gusts at 30+ kph . Landed once flawlessly but not to be out done, went up again. Well the school gym roof seemed to be where the wind wanted it. Smashed the wing bad, struts and all.
I wanted a few more flights before upgrading to brushless. Just replaced the wing, added Spitfire 2 3/8" wheels and a 10x8 P-51 prop. I have yet to try it out. I rarely full throttle it. Is this OK? I'm hoping a few more clean flights will help my decision to fully upgrade. Also noted that it came with an 11.1v 1300mah lipo which greatly extended flights to almost 20 min. I know that this prop won't do that but I am gentle.