BuWizz MOD series
42125 Ferrari 488 GTE
MODIFIED
2021
INVENTORY
1804 parts
THEME
Super Car
Testing the performance of BuWizz 3.0 Pro and BuWizz motors.
After successfully modifying the 42115 Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 with BuWizz 3.0 and BuWizz motor prototypes (watch vide: https://youtu.be/5MRWBXt4HgM) I decided to turn my attention to the newly released 1:10 scale 42125 LEGO Technic Ferrari 488 GTE.
For this model, the plan was not to aim for high speed but to modify it in a way to be able to power slide and drift.
This model also served as a test bench of the 3D printed BuWizz motor casings and BuWizz 3.0 production Pro hardware.
You can find the video of the MOD process here:
After building the original 42125 set I set myself the following MOD goals while preserving the looks and functionality of the original:
1. Reinforcing the chassis
2. Redesigning and lowering the suspension
3. Increasing the steering angle
4. Reinforcing and motorizing the rear driveline
5. Motorized V8 engine and working LED lights.
6. Conclusion
1. Reinforcing the chassis
The original model has a very flexible chassis, especially in the front which had to be improved. The open frames were replaced with panels.
MOD on top, original set on bottom.
Additionally, the PU L steering motor and BuWizz 3.0 Pro are used as structural components:
2. Redesigning and lowering the suspension
Original suspension stresses the components at very high angles and gives the model too much ground clearance. To fix this issue, the original mounting points were lowered by a stud.
This change allowed me to increase the steering angle in the front, while the rear suspension was redesigned to accommodate bigger, stronger brick-built CV joints.
The suspension was also lowered by around 4 mm to give the model a look closer to the original car.
3. Increasing the steering angle
In order to power slide and drift the steering angle was increased from some 25 degrees to almost 45 degrees.
A PU LU motor was used to steer the wheels, allowing for very precise steering.
The top is the modified steering system, the bottom is the original setup:
4. Reinforcing and motorizing the rear driveline
The rear driveline had to be redesigned in order to transfer the high torque created by 4 BuWizz motors to the wheels.
Instead of the original differential and CV joints, brick-built CV joints were used to transfer the power from the outer BuWizz motor outputs directly to the wheels.
Using separate motors for left and right wheel drive also gave the model more possibilities and control.
MOD driveline on top, original on the bottom:
5. Motorized V8 engine and working LED lights.
The V8 engine was motorized with use of the PU M motor placed in front of the rear axle between the drive motors and geared up.
For the lights, a pair of PU LED lights were used to give the model a spectacular look.
Conclusion
Thanks to all of the above modifications this model ended up as one of the most capable and fun builds I ever modified and a good test model for BuWizz 3 Pro and BuWizz motor prototypes. You can see it in action here: