jonnymac

Ok guys I just bought an X-ray XB8-TQ.
What I want to know is......Should I get the upgrade set to the EC edition?
I doubt my driving is good enough to get the full benefit as it is
I know the differences in the kit, but what are the differences on the track?

Foxy

Have a look on the Xray site, and perform all necessary mods to get the extra steering that the EC has as standard. Apart from that, the major difference is in the engine position on the chassis, which apparently does make a world of difference to the way it drives, according to the pros. Look, I'm not the greatest buggy driver, but I drove a well set up EC and couldn't really tell a huge difference between it and my slightly updated XB8R, it was a bit smoother with a tad more steering (which I don't need to be honest!), but I am able to drive just as fast with mine. I'd say unless you're going to the worlds or have a specific problem with the TQ that is addressed by the update, don't bother.

Ooops, note edit.. 'COULDN'T' tell a huge difference...

what_stanger

you said it yourself.
You don't need the EC yet. The TQ is a very capable buggy.

EDIT: congrats on the promotion foxy, haven't been in here in a little while.

sh0wtime

Yo Foxy

are we going to see you atr the Euros next year?
quite close to you in Crete

check the website [link=http://www.euros2008.gr/]HERE[/link] nice music too LOL

bit of text from their site -


sounds like a perfect holiday destination to me

Foxy

lol!!!! Only as a spectator! I don't have the time or money to compete at the euros, no matter how well I thought I might do! But you NEVER know!! A lot can happen in a year... I know the track, I haven't been there yet though. Interestingly I will be taking my summer holiday in crete this year, and 'maybe' I will conduct my RCU review of the XT8 there. We'll see.

sh0wtime

i'll not be competing either as i wont qualify, the UK have a pretty strong team so i've got no chance

i'll more than likely be pitting for somebody out there so it will be more of a holidy for me

we'll have to hook up for a beer if we're both out there


video of the final for this years Euros [link=http://www.medialpro.com/media/ce/v_j_5_final.html]HERE[/link] you'll need quicktime to see it!

46u

My Feedback: (3)

Back to topic! I race with Ryan Lopez who is factory racer for X-ray USA and he said the difference between the TQ and EC is night and day. All so do not forget the EC has big bore shocks and many other things that make it much better then the TQ. I would think it would be all most as cheap to buy the EC as it would be to up grade from TQ unless you can find really cheap parts like on ebay.

jonnymac

I'll price up the upgrades off ebay compared to buying the upgrade kit.
I'll try it out as the TQ as it will probably be fine for me. I noticed though TQ parts seem hard to come by now, so i'll probably have to upgrade slowly whether I like it or not.

buffmeadows

I just picked up an original XB8 and I noticed that there is an upgrade kit from TQ -> EC.

Does anyone know if there is the same kit to upgrade from the XB8 -> TQ ??

If not, is there a list somewhere that has the parts you'd need?

jonnymac

There was. I don't know if you can still get it though.

sh0wtime

there were 2 kits to convert XB8 to XB8TQ
one for front suspension & another for the rear including a slightly different shock tower
basically what the kits give you is slightly more front kickup adjustment, which means you can run slightly more caster!
but with this you lose the option of inboard toe adjustment!
the rear kit gives you slightly more anti squat adjustment and thew new shock tower allows you to hit full droop from all shock positions!

its not night & day difference &tbh you probably wont even be able to tell the difference out on the track

the std kit is plenty good enough & as long as you fit the plastic chassis braces, soft suspension arms & modify (grind away) the front knuckles & C hubs for more steering throw you'll have a buggy that handles & turns better than the original

SManMTB

I would actually say that he should get the new chassis + center universals + plastic braces and he's going to be close.
The chassis is the major big change from the original XB8/TQ and the EC.

sh0wtime

the original chassis works better on dirt
Hazlewood changed back quite soon after getting the EC plus the other guy i race with has just canged his EC chassis foir the TQ & he's finding it better too

i'd say once you factor in the prices of the parts needed for that conversion and the mixed feelings about whether its any better or not you might be better of staying with the chassis you already have

parts needed to change over are chassis, centre shafts (BOTH) and the servo mounting top plate!

just called one of the team guys for his take on the differences-
he said with the EC chassis he thought he had better rear end grip on really slick tracks and it felt slightly better over bumps at high speed
with the TQ chassis he said the car jumps better and is faster around more tecnical tracks with jumps etc
reckons it jumps much more neutrally and is quicker to react to inputs!

whichever way you go you will get used to the chassis you have and adjust setup to suit
either way its a good car, just trying to make the point that newer isn't always better
the diferent chassis are Options & you can use the one that suits you best

look at the Hyper. there are 4 different chassis available for that [X(]

SManMTB

I asumed he wanted to be as close to an EC as possible. In that case he should get a EC chassie. Otherwise why bother to upgrade.

The difference between a TQ and EC is similar to a Kyosho SP1 and SP2/WC (from what I have been told from people running both brands) where the SP1 was nimble but twitchy to drive and the SP2 was calmer and more predictable. My EC feels very similar to my SP2. I felt my SP1 to be twitchy and liked the change to SP2.

sh0wtime

yeah i know what you mean, i was just about to add that as an example

but at the time you had everyone with an SP1 teling you it was the best thing ever, personally i hated mine compared to the 7.5 & like you said as if by magic the car was revised with a more Kanai like weight distribution which made it easier to drive

also remember with the 777 it was good to have narrow gearboxes & arm pivots as close to the centreline as possible and now some manufacturers are saying wider pivots & shorter arms are best

its all just options to try & in an ideal world we'd have all these parts to try and plenty of time to test them
in reality you're probably better off putting on a nice neutral setup & just driving it, then making small changes as & when you feel you need a little more *something*

SManMTB

I (almost) hated my SP1 too. The Kanai III was so much better on the track.

sh0wtime

i did 3 meetings with mine before i binned it [:'(]

in the words of Dr Evil " we're not so different you & I" LOL