When the original Sportwerks Mayhem 1/8-scale buggy was introduced, it also introduced features never before seen on a vehicle of this type. After months of R&D, testing, refining, and wrenching, the Sportwerks crew is at it once again with the new Sportwerks Mayhem ST. With its roots firmly planted in the buggy realm, the Sportwerks Mayhem ST combines the nimble handling and low center of gravity (CG) with go-anywhere ride height and tons of bottom-end torque. While this is a Stadium Truck, make no mistake that this new truck is truly a monster.
Power Plant:
Why mess with success, right? With that in mind, the decision to use the same .26c engine that is also in the Sportwerks Mayhem RTR was an easy one. The .26c comes standard with a two-needle slide barrel carburetor, making dialing the engine into almost any application a snap. The ABC (aluminum, brass, chrome) piston and sleeve can withstand hours of running without needing to be replaced and provide excellent compression. Finally, the .26c offers the same 7-port sleeve design for the Sportwerks Mayhem ST as previously seen on the Sportwerks Mayhem RTR. Larger sized engines such as the .26c can be a little thirstier for fuel than a standard .21, so the Sportwerks Mayhem ST includes a 126cc fuel cell to extend runtimes as much as possible. Fuel can get splashed around during quick pit stops, but a molded splashguard keeps fuel away from your precious electronics.
 The Backbone:
The aluminum main chassis plate is identical to the one that is found on the Sportwerks Mayhem RTR. The 3.2mm thick lower chassis plate is well suited for this assignment, but there have been some subtle changes to other points on the chassis. The front and rear chassis braces have been beefed up to further withstand the flexing forces that a monster truck or truggy may encounter and are the same as those originally used on the Sportwerks Mayhem Pro. An aluminum upper radio tray further reinforces the chassis, bridging the area from right behind the front bulkhead to just in front of the radio box. Molded side guards are standard equipment and keep the bulk of crud, muck, and dirt out of the truck and on the ground where it belongs.
 Re-Geared and Refined:
To better suit the larger diameter of the monster-sized tires, the decision to drop the clutch bell size from a 14-tooth to a 13-tooth was an easy one. This gearing change helps the Sportwerks Mayhem ST accelerate better, yet top speed is still impressive. Additionally, it’s well known that many monster truck enthusiasts never see a racetrack, instead spending much of their lives in back yards, open fields, or any other type of rough terrain. One of the most popular uses for a monster such as the Sportwerks Mayhem ST is to climb up and over obstacles. To further enhance the bottom-end torque and crawling prowess of the Sportwerks Mayhem ST, a new tuned pipe is included. Dubbed the HT (for High Torque), the body has a larger diameter that enhances the engine’s bottom end. And if you have a Sportwerks Mayhem Pro or Mayhem RTR, you can also use this same pipe (SWK9203) and get the same benefits. Finally, the internal differential gears have also been swapped out for new parts, with an 11-tooth pinion and a 45-tooth ring gear inside the differential housings.
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Truggy-Inspired Suspension:
You can’t have a great handling truck without having a well thought out suspension, and the suspension on the Sportwerks Mayhem ST has all the indications that it is designed to withstand whatever someone might throw at it. The plastic suspension mounts that were used on the Mayhem buggies have been replaced with stronger and
more durable aluminum units. This one change alone drastically improves the durability of the suspension, but that’s not all. Big trucks need more suspension travel, and with that in mind, all-new front and rear aluminum shock towers were designed for the Sportwerks Mayhem ST. The front end of the Mayhem ST even received a further upgrade, as the shock length has been extended for further control and better handling. The developers also listened to customer concerns when it came to steering input and control. Hobbyists asked for more steering throw and more adjustability, and the Mayhem ST has both of these. A new steering rack with more Ackerman adjustments was developed just for the Mayhem ST. Additionally, the first generation of Mayhem steering knuckles were prone to binding the pivot balls at extreme angles, inhibiting the steering throw on the buggies, but that problem has also been addressed and fixed as the Mayhem ST uses all-new knuckles.
Team JR Radio Equipment:
A new twist was put on the included electronics versus what is in the standard Sportwerks Mayhem RTR. Larger vehicles put a greater strain on throttle and steering servos that in turn put a greater strain on the receiver pack. Instead of just having users replace dry-cell batteries on a more frequent basis, an 1100mAh Ni-MH receiver pack and charger are included with the Mayhem ST. Talk about a sweet deal! Not only will the rechargeable receiver pack save you money, but there’s an additional benefit as well. The higher voltage output of the 5-cell receiver pack also improves the performance and responsiveness of the steering and throttle servos.
Producing a vehicle with a ton of great options is awesome, but if the transmitter skimps out on features and benefits you feel, well, cheated. Not so with the Mayhem ST, as the excellent XR2i computer radio offers users all the control and comfort anyone could ask for. This 75MHz radio features two-model memory, electronic trim settings, and an LCD display. Once again the powerful JR Z-590 can be found turning the front wheels in the right direction while a Z-270 is bolted to the radio plate to control throttle and braking functions. When everything is said and done, this is one tough-to-beat package.
Nearly Unlimited Potential:
With the continuity between the Sportwerks Mayhem Pro, RTR, and now the Mayhem ST, it’s possible to take your personal truck from showroom stock to out of this world in the blink of an eye. If you are looking to dial your Mayhem ST into a variety of different surfaces, then the optional spring sets (SWK3058–White/Soft, SWK3059–Red/Medium, SWK3061–Black/Firm, SWK3061–Blue/Extra Firm) are a must. You can further tailor the handling on your Mayhem ST with the optional Front (SWK9180) or Rear (SWK9181) Sway Bar Kits. Each package includes three different bars of varying thickness. The front bars come in 2.0, 2.2, and 2.5mm thickness while the rear bars are 2.5, 2.8, and 3.0mm thick.
If you’re more concerned with how your truck looks than turning fast laps, don’t worry, the Sportwerks crew hasn’t forgotten about you. If gold is your thing, check out the different Titanium Nitride coated goodies for dressing up your Mayhem ST. There’s even a complete Titanium Nitride Hinge Pin Set (SWK9003) that includes a complete replacement set of hinge pins of the proper length. You can also get Titanium Nitride coated clutch bells (SWK9112–SWK9115 for 12–15T) for the ultimate in durability. If the carbon fiber look is more your flavor, you can outfit your Mayhem ST with a Graphite Servo Mounting Tray (SWK9122G), Graphite Center Differential Support Plate (SWK9102G), or the Graphite Top Plate (SWK9144G). I admit I love blue anodized aluminum, so for me the Blue Radio Plate Stand Offs (SWK9165B), Blue Aluminum Servo Mounts (SWK9016), Blue Aluminum Bearing Supports (SWK9099), and the Heavy-Duty Engine Mounts (SWK9228) are all right up my alley. We’ve only scratched the surface with the nearly unlimited potential housed under the body of the Mayhem ST—now it’s up to you to decide which direction is best.
With the absolute explosion in the nitro-powered monster truck market, make no mistake that truggies are here to stay. With its larger and more powerful engines, lower and more aggressive stance, and advanced three diff drivetrain, the Mayhem ST appears to have the makings of one of the best new truggies to come out in quite some time. The Sportwerks crew has taken everything that made the Mayhem Pro and Mayhem RTR stand out as top performers and evolved them into an awesome Monster Truck.
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Q: Are there any final steps I will need to complete before running my Sportwerks Mayhem ST for the first time?
A: Like any ready-to-run vehicle, a little patience before you go all out will save you aggravation down the road. The Mayhem ST’s body is painted and trimmed out from the factory, but you can further personalize your truck by adding some decals from the included sheet. When you pull the truck itself out of the box, you will need to thread the antenna through the antenna tube, charge the receiver pack, charge the battery pack for the Spin Start Electric Starter, lube the air filter, and, of course, break-in the engine. Follow the manual’s guidelines very closely when you are breaking the engine in, and don’t forget to change the glow plug once you have completed the break-in process.
Q: Are there any additional items I will need to purchase in order to get my Sportwerks Mayhem ST up and running?
A: Yes. The Spin Start uses a standard 6-cell rechargeable battery pack that is not included with the Mayhem ST. Because of its high capacity and memory-free nature, I’d recommend one of Dynamite’s new IB3600 Ni-MH 6-Cell packs (DYN1895). You will also need a charger for this battery if you do not have one already, and the Prophet Plus AC/DC Charger (DYN4036) has the ability to charge your Spin Start packs, plus you can charge your receiver packs off of it as well (not at the same time). Other than these items, you will also need a glow driver (DYN1925 recommended), fuel, 8 “AA” batteries, After-Run Oil, a fuel bottle, and some basic tools.
Q: What type of fuel should I use for the .26c in my Sportwerks Mayhem ST?
A: The answer to that question is that it really depends. While you are breaking the engine in, Blue Thunder’s First Run (DYN2100) has been developed to reduce wear and tear on the engine’s internal components at this crucial point. If you are just going to be tearing up the yard or running around the parking lot, Blue Thunder’s 20% Sport mix will be more than ideal for you. For all-out performance and race situations, switching to a race-blended fuel such as White Lightning Race 20% (WTL420) or the more aggressive White Lightning Race 30% (WTL430) is at the top of the list for racers.
Q: Will I be able to use T-Maxx sized wheels on my Sportwerks Mayhem ST?
A: Yes, the Mayhem ST comes fitted with the industry standard 15mm wheel hexes, the same size as the T-Maxx.
Q: What starter boxes are compatible with the Mayhem ST?
A: The Cyclone Universal Starter Box (SWK9902) will work with the Mayhem ST, however, you will need to make two very important changes to the truck. The engine mounts that come with the truck lift the engine up too high on the chassis, and the starter wheel cannot reach it. You will simply need to swap out the stock engine mounts for the optional lowered engine mounts (SWK9228). Additionally, the stock back plate with the Electric Start hex needs to be swapped out in favor of the Pull-Start Eliminator Back Plate (SWK8057) to provide the proper clearance.
Q: Is it possible to convert my current Mayhem Pro or Mayhem RTR to a Mayhem ST?
A: While it is possible, it is also fairly cost prohibitive. To convert your buggy into a Mayhem ST, you would need a set of upper and lower A-arms for the front and rear, front and rear CV joints, 12mm wheel hexes, front and rear ST shock towers, front and rear body mounts, the body, and of course, wheels, tires, and inserts. Don’t forget that the Mayhem ST also has a new steering plate with improved Ackerman adjustment and the different front steering knuckles as well. In short, yes it can be done, but you would be better off simply buying a Mayhem ST.
Q: What tools do I need to maintain and repair my Mayhem ST?
A: The Mayhem ST uses only a few different types of hardware, so the number of tools you’ll need is pretty small. The Metric Allen Driver Set (SWK9920) is a step in the right direction, and the 3-in-1 Tuning Screwdriver (SWK9912) makes that last-second carburetor adjustment a snap.
Q: Where can I get replacement and upgrade parts for my Mayhem ST?
A: Right here on horizonhobby.com. Or, if you prefer to shop at a hobby shop, then any shop that carries Horizon Hobby products will be able to order any and all parts you may need or want in the future for your truck. | |