CEFX Evolution for TOP Photon
Multiple US National Champion Josh Cyrul was in touch to introduce the new CEFX Evolution. This is a radical new approach to electric TC racing from the mind that brought you the TOP Photon. The Evolution improves traction, balance, drivability and ease of maintenance all in one simple yet very effective design. The concept has already proven it’s potential with a 3rd place podium finish at the 2010 Snowbird Nationals as well as a TQ and win at the 2010 ROAR Carpet Nationals.
At the heart of the Evolution was the desire to create a system that actually had a symmetrical mounting system at the rear around the motor. Currently, most cars use two screws in a mount plate for one side of the spur gear and another two in the motor plate plus the small “L” post with a screw on the center line of the chassis. This does not allow the chassis to flex around the motor in an equal fashion.
The Evolution uses a radical new motor mounting system that moves the motor towards the center 5mm from the standard Photon plus uses the lower screw patterns of today’s BL motors to give the smallest, lowest CG motor mounting system used today. Beside the motor plate, the mount plate provides the same coverage across the chassis to give support and balanced flexibility to the chassis.
The next concept of the Evolution was to completely “unlock” all the bulkheads and motor plates from the top plates to completely eliminate tweaking from the car. The bulkheads were redesigned to have a larger foot print towards the center of the car and the front and rear top plates would only mount with standoffs and a front top plate mount. Using interlocking leverage points they were able to achieve the desired flexibility of the car with no problems at all of tweaking even through several very hard impacts in testing (enough to break several suspension parts).
With chassis flex balanced, CG lowered and tweaking reduced or eliminated they went looking for more. The next goal was to improve the balance, cornering and forward traction of the Evolution. Switching from the stock 189mm rear belt to a new 201mm belt allowed them to stretch the rear of the car 6mm. With this, they shortened the wheel base on the bulkheads by 1.5mm (3mm overall) to make the car 3mm longer in the longest position but with improved drive shaft angles. The result, more forward traction from the rear and less universal chatter in the front giving more smooth and consistent steering.
The Evolution received a new post for the center pulley/spur assembly as well for the steering. Made with a 3mm hex in the end, you are only one screw away from a spur or bell crank change for super fast maintenance without the need for two 2mm wrenches.
Since the assembly weight of the Evolution came in at under 1275g fully loaded they made the motor plate, mount plate and top plate mount all out of steel to get the lowest possible CG and strength from the assembly.
Lastly, the chassis was updated with slots for today’s Lipo packs and given side notches so it’s easier to balance your car when you have to add weight depending on the rules you compete with. The chassis has revised servo position for larger servos and includes a cut-out to use a servo saver if running a small 1/12 servo such as the KO-951 (as was used in testing/racing). Due to the new motor position, differentials flipped, battery moved right it is possible to race an Evolution nearly perfectly balanced at 1300g. Where you want to place the weight is up to you.
Everyone out there has been looking for the next big step in TC design that isn’t just another copy of one car or another. CEFX claim that the Evolution is just that step, breaking the mold that all the current TC’s have fallen into.
CEFX are already well into production, with the first kits shipping at the end of April/early May. They will be taking pre-orders from Dealers and Customers so just e-mail them at sales@cefx.net. Also, you can pre-order/purchase from CEFX Speed Shop starting immediately.
Source: CEFX [cefx.net]
