XRAY - Model racing cars

Just thought I'd start a topic to discuss what parts we all keep in stock for the XT8, and an area to discuss what (if any!) parts have failed on our XT8's.

I've run mine at 3 meetings since finishing the build and am absolutely thrilled with it. Running nearly all stock parts at the moment but have just ordered all the I.S.S parts to start having a play around with setup some more.

I've been running 5,7,3 in the diffs and 600 in all shocks with 1.4mm 4 holes pistons. Also the one-piece motor mount.

There are 2 things that I feel are too weak.

The bodyshell:
IMO this is the best looking truggy shell out there, it's just too thin. My first shell lasted 2 meetings before showing a fair bit of wear, and my second has cracked at the rear of the shell near the shock mount detail after just one qualifier, although the rest of the shell was completely unaffected.

Front bodyshell mounts
After the second meeting the little plastic 'pins' that locate into the shock tower broke off allowing them to spin round as they were only secured by the screw. Having ordered a replacement (part no. 351308) in time for the next race I've discovered you only get one front and one rear mount in the pack, meaning I've got to spend the equivalent of $12 here in the UK to replace 2 tiny plastic parts as I need to buy 2 packs to replace both of them. I chose not to replace just one of them and wait to replace both of them at the same time. Halfway through the a-main both mounts were pulled off the shock tower creating a nice air break whenever air got under the body, resulting in me dropping down from 1st to 4th.

I guess they could be moulded in a slightly denser material (making them more brittle), or longer term re-moulded without the little pin and be secured by 2 screws instead?

Other than that nothing else has shown any signs of wear. All cvd pins have stayed in (I've dremeled flat spots on the pins) and used hong nor cvd boot on the rear and centre shafts for added security (they don't fit on the front).

WheelNut:

I'd say you've got a pretty good selection of spares ordered, although I'd have to go for 2xbody mount pack! I've just ordered another 3 packs!

kmaspeed:

I'd recommend dremeling all six cvd pins; only very slightly as you don't want to weaken them too much. Also, a very, very small drop of red threadlock can be used on the grub screw. I also use cvd boots on the rear and centre shafts for some extra security (Dynamite and Hong Nor/ OFNA do them). You can use a small sliver of heat shrink tubing around the front ones that will do the same job. What I like about the boots is that you can use a load of grease on the cvd's as they're covered and are protected from dirt and grit that would wear them out prematurely if they weren't covered as the dirt is attracted to grease.

Has anyone else had problems with the stock body and front body mounts?

Also, does anyone know if any of the J Concepts shells fit the XT8? I really like the styling of them and as they don't have any tight bends/ details in the mould they are very resistant to cracking. I guess the mugen shell would be a good fit?