Cautiously Optimistic

Posted by Eric on 25th Apr 2011

After much research, debate, and breaking 3 stock chassis, I decided on the FLM 10900 aluminum chassis as the best mix between price, quality, reviews, and warranty. It was difficult to find many other manufacturers selling aluminum chassis on the web. The only other one I could find in April 2011 was the Supermaxx from Unlimited Engineering at $359. Apparently many other manufacturers have gone out of business or are not selling their products online.
This chassis fit my new 3903 Emaxx that I converted to a Brushless MMM setup. It seems very sturdy without adding much weight. I like the flexibility to mount batteries top and bottom but the bottom mounting position doesn't provide any ground clearance. Probably can't/won't mount my two 3S 5400mAH Lipos there however. Possibly would mount batteries there if I had hardcase Lipos and was running street only.
The fit and finish is good with a few exceptions. No directions provided and after installation I was left with 5-10 "extra" screws and small pieces. Not sure where they go, if at all. The stock center bottom skid plate (transmission cover) doesn't fit perfectly and requires some bending of the stock plastic piece to make it work and line up with the screw holes on the FLM chassis. Also the antenna mount does not have a notch to allow the wire to pass through and as a result you have to run the antenna wire on the underside of the chassis and up through the mounting nut, risking getting it snagged on the underside of the chassis. Other than those two minor compatibility issues, seems like a great product.
I've only had it a few days so the durability has yet to be really tested but FLM claims on their website to stand behind their products with a great warranty. The chassis comes with everything you need including "integrated" aluminum chassis braces, beefy center (front and rear) hardened steel dogbone driveshafts and cups (thicker and seem more durable than the traxxas stainless steel driveshaft upgrade - TRA5151R), velcro battery straps, two sided foam tape to mount your ESC and foam padding with one sided adhesive (I assume to pad your batteries from the rigid chassis).
All in all...awesome looking chassis, seems durable, and at a decent price. Just do it!