Is it ok to replace every plastic part with aluminum?

[KeiCar]

Like the topic says, and while I dont' mention my RC truck in particular (TA RC18t) this question should cover pretty much every type of RC vehicle out there.

Anyways, my theory is this: If you replace everything with aluminum, the alu has little to no "bend" in it, which in and of itself a little flexing of a plastic piece can be a good thing in absorbing a strong shock or jolt. The plastic will (or should) bend and then bend back, returning to its original position, within reason of course.

Now I guess one could argue that while the alu wont bend, its so strong that it can take a much greater impact before damage is done, and impact that would have snapped or broken the plastic equlivent to begin with. Does this sound at all plausible or am I just crazy?

For instance, so far Ive replaced my steering knuckles, control arms, A arms, shock tower, driveshaft & half shafts, rear bulkhead, gear cover...ect with aluminum. The largest piece of the car is still plastic, the frame and upper frame brace (driveshaft cover).

Now I am wondering about beefing up the drivetrain. I already have a pretty hot setup: Castle 6800Kv brusheless w/ ESC & LiPo combo, so that right there gave me more power then I know what to do with. I would like to put some big tires on it and bash, but I dont know if the stock diff (not sure if its original OEM or upgraded "Delrin" or similar ultra strong plastic, but it is plastic, I can tell when I opened it up. The other plastic part is the main gear (attached to the main driveshaft --> front / rear diff, thats how its setup).

Ive had people tell me to keep the main gear (not the gear on the motor shaft, thats metal) keep plastic (karbonite, delrin...ect synthetic plastic) instead of metal, since the same things applies here like it did for the suspension. Better to strip a tooth on the gear then F up my brushless.

[jimmy_wheels]

Some parts are better to have made of aluminum, like servo horns. I believe that plastics are better than aluminum for the majority of the car though. Aluminum doesn't have a 'memory' so when it bends you should toss it. Plastics usually return to their original state after being stressed.

Final thought - Shelf queens are usually tricked out with aluminum.

[VegasJetta]

I don't see a problem with Aluminum steering knuckles and caster blocks, or even shock towers. The gear cover is overkill, and as Jimmy said, aluminum bends so I wouldn't want to do my A arms since they take the most beatings.

Guy at the local hobby shop built a 2wd Slash out of all the off the shelf aluminum parts he could get his hands on. Chassis, trans, arms, turnbuckles, towers, EVERYTHING. It weighed MORE than a stock 2wd Slash out of the box when he was done, but it looked pretty damn cool and was FAST. He said it wasn't like driving a Slash at all, and it was straight as an arrow.

[KeiCar]

Thanks for the advice.

Yes I know the Alu gear cover is completely overkill, but most of the Alu parts I got when they were on sale (AsiaTees) and that cover must of been like 4 dollars, so I just got it cause it was cheap and looks good.

Oh someone mentioned the servo horn, I forgot to mention but all the steering parts outside the servo are aluminum. I just got a new servo actually (HiTec HS-56) and I might swap out the plastic gears for metal ones. Not sure yet...


The hobby is addicting and so far its been pretty cheap

[koston.]

The other thing to think about; the force that would normally break a plastic a-arm, that aluminum may "absorb" is just passed down the the chain. Instead of breaking arms, you might start breaking arm mounts/pins, for instance.

Whenever possible, use RPM plastic. Much better than stock and not heavy like aluminum.

But the great thing about this hobby; it's your car, build it so it performs for you and your conditions.

[VegasJetta]

The other thing to think about; the force that would normally break a plastic a-arm, that aluminum may "absorb" is just passed down the the chain. Instead of breaking arms, you might start breaking arm mounts/pins, for instance.

Exactly the reason I won't run aluminum (or other metal) spur gears. Let the $3 plastic spur gear strip instead of shredding my gearbox.