2.5–3-inch FPV motor
VCI Spark 1303
A 7.1 g motor for 2.5- to 3-inch props on 2S or 3S; on VCI’s 12 V bench the 5400KV pulls 215 g at full throttle on a GF 2540-3.
- 2.5- to 3-inch quads
- 3S (5400KV, 6000KV, 7200KV) or 2S (8800KV, 9600KV)
- Gemfan 2512, 2540 and 3018 props (VCI’s test props)
The spin is an illustration: the model turns at 1/600 of the no-load speed, and it is a generic 1303 motor drawn from VCI’s published sizes, not its exact design. Thrust, current and power are VCI’s bench figures for the GF 2540-3 prop at 12 V, read straight across between its throttle steps. Its data starts at 30% throttle.
- Max thrust
- 215 g
- GF 2540-3 prop, 12 V
- Weight
- 7.1 g
- with its cable; the same for every KV
- Peak current
- 9.3 A
- full throttle
- Max power
- 111 W
- full throttle
from $22.10a motor at VCI Hobby
A set of four: $88.40
Price seen Oct 19, 2026. Plain links: we earn nothing from them.
What it pulls
VCI’s own bench test, one line per prop. Drag across the chart to move the throttle; the model above follows.
At 60% with the GF 2540-3: 105 g of thrust, 3.0 A, 36 W, 2.93 g per watt.
On your quad
1.3 : 1
Thrust to weight at full throttle: four motors pull 860 g with the GF 2540-3 at 12 V.
At 60% throttle they pull 420 g, 0.6 times the quad’s weight.
All-up weight is the quad ready to fly, with its battery and camera. The thrust is the maker’s static bench figure; in the air it is lower.
What you get for $22.10
215 to 266 g on 3S
On VCI’s 12 V bench the 5400KV pulled 215 g on a GF 2540-3 at 9.25 A, the 6000KV 266 g on a GF 3018-2 at 11.2 A, and the 7200KV 263 g on a GF 2512-3 at 12.2 A.
Source: VCI spec sheet
Five KVs
VCI sells it in pairs, in 5400KV, 6000KV and 7200KV for 3S and 8800KV and 9600KV for 2S.
Source: VCI product page, VCI spec sheet
7.1 g
VCI gives 7.1 g with the cable for every KV.
Source: VCI spec sheet
What to pair it with
Our reading of VCI’s numbers, so your build matches what the motor was tested with.
- ESC
- VCI’s peak currents run from 9.25 A (5400KV) to 15.48 A (9600KV on a GF 3018-2 at 8 V); pick an ESC rated above that per motor. (VCI spec sheet)
- Props
- VCI tested 2.5-inch (GF 2512-3, GF 2540-3) and 3-inch (GF 3018-2) Gemfan props. (VCI spec sheet)
- Battery
- 3S for the 5400KV, 6000KV and 7200KV; 2S for the 8800KV and 9600KV, as VCI rates them. (VCI spec sheet)
- Frame
- Four M2 screws on a 9 × 9 mm pattern. (VCI drawing)
Where to buy
- VCI Hobbythe maker’s store; a pair, any KV$22.10seen Oct 19, 2026Visit
- GetFPV5400KV, pairprice on the store’s pageVisit
Plain links, not affiliate links. Prices change; the store’s page has the current one.
Full specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| KV | 5,400 rpm/V (also 6000KV and 7200KV (3S), and 8800KV and 9600KV (2S)) | VCI spec sheet, VCI product page |
| Stator | 13 × 3 mm (1303) | VCI spec sheet |
| Configuration | 9S12P (9 stator slots, 12 magnet poles) | VCI spec sheet |
| Battery | 3S (12 V) LiPo (2S (8 V) for the 8800KV and 9600KV) | VCI spec sheet |
| Weight | 7.1 g (with its cable; the same for every KV) | VCI spec sheet |
| Dimensions | φ17.1 × 15.4 mm with the shaft, which stands 3 mm above the bell | VCI spec sheet, VCI drawing |
| Shaft | 1.5 mm, standing 3 mm above the bell | VCI spec sheet, VCI drawing |
| Mounting | 4 × M2 holes on a 9 mm circle (9 × 9 mm) (the bell’s top has another 4 × M2 holes on a 5 mm circle) | VCI drawing |
| Magnets | N52SH arc magnets | VCI spec sheet |
| Internal resistance | 240 mΩ (190 mΩ for the 6000KV, 145 mΩ for the 7200KV, 125 mΩ for the 8800KV, 100 mΩ for the 9600KV) | VCI spec sheet |
| Idle current | 0.3 A (at 10 V; 0.5 A for the 6000KV, 0.8 A for the 7200KV, 1.0 A for the 8800KV, 1.2 A for the 9600KV) | VCI spec sheet |
| Peak current | 9.25 A (11.2 A for the 6000KV, 12.2 A for the 7200KV, 13.03 A for the 8800KV, 15.48 A for the 9600KV) | VCI spec sheet |
| Max instantaneous power | 111 W (134.4 W for the 6000KV, 146.4 W for the 7200KV, 104.24 W for the 8800KV, 123.84 W for the 9600KV) | VCI spec sheet |
| Leads | 28 AWG silicone wire, 80 mm | VCI spec sheet |
Bench data
Redrawn from VCI’s test reports. Thrust is static pull on a bench, more than you get in flight. Power is volts × amps; efficiency is thrust divided by power.
5400KV on 3S, 12 V1 prop
| Prop | Throttle | Current (A) | Thrust (g) | Efficiency (g/W) | Power (W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GF 2540-3motor at 67 °C | 30% | 0.75 | 46 | 5.11 | 9 |
| 40% | 1.32 | 61 | 3.85 | 15.84 | |
| 50% | 2.07 | 82 | 3.3 | 24.84 | |
| 60% | 2.99 | 105 | 2.93 | 35.88 | |
| 70% | 4.53 | 129 | 2.37 | 54.36 | |
| 80% | 5.76 | 155 | 2.24 | 69.12 | |
| 90% | 7.61 | 183 | 2 | 91.32 | |
| 100% | 9.25 | 215 | 1.94 | 111 |
Source: VCI spec sheet
6000KV on 3S, 12 V1 prop
| Prop | Throttle | Current (A) | Thrust (g) | Efficiency (g/W) | Power (W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GF 3018-2motor at 67 °C | 30% | 0.94 | 52 | 4.61 | 11.28 |
| 40% | 1.64 | 76 | 3.86 | 19.68 | |
| 50% | 2.58 | 109 | 3.52 | 30.96 | |
| 60% | 3.66 | 133 | 3.03 | 43.92 | |
| 70% | 5.3 | 158 | 2.48 | 63.6 | |
| 80% | 7.18 | 205 | 2.38 | 86.16 | |
| 90% | 9.09 | 225 | 2.06 | 109.08 | |
| 100% | 11.2 | 266 | 1.98 | 134.4 |
Source: VCI spec sheet
7200KV on 3S, 12 V1 prop
| Prop | Throttle | Current (A) | Thrust (g) | Efficiency (g/W) | Power (W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GF 2512-3motor at 75 °C | 30% | 1.42 | 61 | 3.58 | 17.04 |
| 40% | 2.41 | 87 | 3.01 | 28.92 | |
| 50% | 3.6 | 113 | 2.62 | 43.2 | |
| 60% | 5.05 | 143 | 2.36 | 60.6 | |
| 70% | 6.82 | 158 | 1.93 | 81.84 | |
| 80% | 8.15 | 179 | 1.83 | 97.8 | |
| 90% | 9.71 | 212 | 1.82 | 116.52 | |
| 100% | 12.2 | 263 | 1.8 | 146.4 |
Source: VCI spec sheet
8800KV on 2S, 8 V1 prop
| Prop | Throttle | Current (A) | Thrust (g) | Efficiency (g/W) | Power (W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GF 2540-3motor at 78 °C | 30% | 1.25 | 39 | 3.9 | 10 |
| 40% | 2.1 | 55 | 3.27 | 16.8 | |
| 50% | 3.3 | 80 | 3.03 | 26.4 | |
| 60% | 4.57 | 94 | 2.57 | 36.56 | |
| 70% | 6.29 | 115 | 2.29 | 50.32 | |
| 80% | 8.35 | 138 | 2.07 | 66.8 | |
| 90% | 10.62 | 166 | 1.95 | 84.96 | |
| 100% | 13.03 | 191 | 1.83 | 104.24 |
Source: VCI spec sheet
9600KV on 2S, 8 V2 props
| Prop | Throttle | Current (A) | Thrust (g) | Efficiency (g/W) | Power (W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GF 3018-2motor at 69 °C | 30% | 1.68 | 51 | 3.79 | 13.44 |
| 40% | 2.85 | 72 | 3.16 | 22.8 | |
| 50% | 4.13 | 91 | 2.75 | 33.04 | |
| 60% | 5.5 | 118 | 2.68 | 44 | |
| 70% | 7.38 | 139 | 2.35 | 59.04 | |
| 80% | 9.89 | 179 | 2.26 | 79.12 | |
| 90% | 12.57 | 202 | 2.01 | 100.56 | |
| 100% | 15.48 | 230 | 1.86 | 123.84 | |
| GF 2512-3motor at 67 °C | 30% | 1.32 | 39 | 3.69 | 10.56 |
| 40% | 2.44 | 67 | 3.43 | 19.52 | |
| 50% | 3.48 | 82 | 2.95 | 27.84 | |
| 60% | 4.64 | 105 | 2.83 | 37.12 | |
| 70% | 5.73 | 121 | 2.64 | 45.84 | |
| 80% | 7.26 | 139 | 2.39 | 58.08 | |
| 90% | 9.59 | 168 | 2.19 | 76.72 | |
| 100% | 12.12 | 209 | 2.16 | 96.96 |
Source: VCI spec sheet
Inside the motor
A brushless outrunner: the coils stand still in the middle and the magnets spin around them. From the top down:
- Magnets. N52SH arc magnets. (VCI spec sheet)
How fast it spins
KV is the motor’s no-load speed per volt. With nothing on the shaft, the 5400KV version reaches about these speeds; a prop loads the motor and brings it down, typically to around 70–75% of these figures at full throttle.
| Battery | Volts | No-load rpm (KV × V) | Electrical frequency | ESC steps per second |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4S nominal | 14.8 | 79,920 | 7,992 Hz | 47,952 |
| 4S full | 16.8 | 90,720 | 9,072 Hz | 54,432 |
| 6S nominal | 22.2 | 119,880 | 11,988 Hz | 71,928 |
| 6S full | 25.2 | 136,080 | 13,608 Hz | 81,648 |
A 12-pole rotor has 6 pole pairs, so every turn of the shaft is 6 electrical cycles, and a six-step ESC switches the phases 36 times per turn.
About the 3D model
A generic outrunner drawn from VCI’s published sizes: the 13 × 3 mm stator, 17.1 mm bell, 12.4 mm height, 1.5 mm shaft, 9 mm mounting circle and 9 teeth and 12 magnets. Anything VCI doesn’t publish is typical for a motor this size, and the bell’s spoked top, the base and the inside are a generic design, not this motor’s. The colours are read off the maker’s product photos. There are no logos or markings: it is our drawing, not the maker’s.
Sources
- VCI Hobby: VCI SPARK 1303 MOTOR-5400KV/6000KV/7200KV/8800KV/9600KV (2PCS) (product page). Retrieved Oct 19, 2026.
- VCI Hobby: Spark 1303 drawing (image on the product page’s Specifications tab). Retrieved Oct 19, 2026.
- VCI Hobby: Spark 1303 spec sheets and testing data for the 5400KV, 6000KV and 7200KV at 12 V and the 8800KV and 9600KV at 8 V, on Gemfan props (image on the product page’s Specifications tab). VCI’s temperature is the shaft’s after a run from 0 to 100% throttle; its voltage column, the same on every row of a table, is left out.. Retrieved Oct 19, 2026.
- VCI Hobby: Spark 1303 5400KV product photo (first gallery image). Retrieved Oct 19, 2026.
- VCI Hobby: Spark 1303 top-view photo (second gallery image). Retrieved Oct 19, 2026.
