Ralphw
Key Veteran
Location: Spring, TX
| The list of potential upgrades is pretty long...lots of aftermarket stuff out there.
For me the best upgrade is the motor. Replace the stock motor with a Hacker C40-8L and either a 10 cell pack or a 3s Li-PO pack (you can't beat Li-PO). Next for me was to address the weight issue on the VE.
The VE in it's stock form is a bit on the chubby side but there are several things you can do to help. First would be the servos you use...JR says standard sizes are OK, but a lot of folks would disagree. The most popular servo set for the VE is probably the Hitec HS85BB for the swash (3 required) and the HS81 for the tail (1 required). These will save you ounces on the all up weight. The Hitecs are smaller than the mounting holes in the stock frames so if you use the stock frames you'll need to make adapters. A better option and one that will also save weight is to get a set of carbon frames. Lighter, stronger and already cut for the HS 85/HS 81 servos.
Those are the first steps...if you want to do more, then consider the "stretch mod". You replace the stock boom with a cut down boom from a JR Venture and use the ECO 16 tailbelt to allow a lengthened tailboom to be used. This in turn lets you use bigger blades (MS 470mm carbon). Overall, this and the Quick head had the most positive effect on the handling quality of my VE.
To improve the responsiveness of the stock head design you can get the PEK (Performance Enhancing Kit), a package of small upgrades that improve the geometry of the stock head and provide additional control response. You can also replace the complete head with the head from a Quick 15...all metal and very smooth.
To lighten the heli even more and keep it from becoming too tail heavy (also not uncommon on the VE), add the KSJ tail case, a carbon pushrod, and carbon T/R blades.
That should be enough to keep you busy (and broke  ) for a while.
Ralph W.
"Life's Short, Fly Fast"
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