XRAY - Model racing cars

I am awaiting delivery of a t3'11 - first time I have got an XRAY brand new - should have done it last year

Anyway I always here stories one way and the other way about the plastic shocks. So here are the questions:

1. What are the real pro's and cons of each type?
2. What do the team drivers use - and why?
3. is due to the weight advantage that the plastics are used - or is it cost?Lohan

Not a team driver, but I've never really found any difference, I do have some alloy shocks as I make lots of different ratings up so I can just change them at the race meetings.

Skiddins

P.S. Lohan, knock it off with the yellow font, it's really hard to read!

I was trying to make it XRAY ORANGE

what - do you mean with the multiple oil changes?

Lohan

I am just curious as to Hagbergs' and Hudys' view on the subject - do they use plastice or metal shocks, and what do they perceive as the difference?

Hi,

I always use Aluminium shocks, they hold abit more oil and have slightly more up-travel, so they make the car feel slightly differant.

The alumium shocks come with 1.1mm x 3 hole pistons, whereas the 3 hole pistons with the plastic shocks have only 0.9mm holes. The 3x1.1mm pistons are pretty much always the best to use at most tracks.

I also find that the Alu shocks are easier to build in general with the amount of rebound you desire, normally 25% or less.

Also, i personally have never broken a plastic shock but i've seen them break in a crash...


Jonny Robinson - Team Xray UK - RcDisco - Moorespeed RC

Aluminum shocks have more traction compared to plastic, not sure why to be honest. Since they were released i've always used them.

I have done back to back testing many times with the same size piston holes, rebound and shock oil and alu shocks always worked better.

I performed a test using plastic and aluminum shock bodies from my old AE TC-3.
I ran my TC-3 with 1 aluminum and 1 plastic shock in the front and the same on the rear on an asphalt, bright sun and 90deg F. after 8 minutes of run time, I measure the ID of all 4 shocks with precision gauge pins. I found that the pin that slid into all 4 shocks smoothly before the 8 minute run was extremely loose in the aluminum shock and fit the plastic shock body exactly as it did before the run. 5 minutes later the gauge pin fit all 4 shocks the same.
This test told me that it is possible for the aluminum shock bodies to expand during a race and consequently the body expansion would change the response of the shock as the shock body gets warmer.
I know it's a rather crude test but, It seems the plastic shock bodies are more stable on hot days.

Jerry...