Turtle's Modified X Ray T2

[TURTLE]

Well, I finally found one. I have been on the lookout for one of these for a couple of years. Since I found out a lot of the European guys use these. More of a curiosity, I decided to go for it. I have my Tamiya XV01 for the coming season, but this will give me a nice comparison for the season and something fresh to tinker with and modify.

I picked it up, just like this for 126.00 on ebay.

[TURTLE]

The first thing I started to modify was the ground clearance. This is a fantastic looking touring car, but seems to be a lot of work when it comes to making it a rally car.

I started with modifying the chassis to allow the suspension arms to drop out as far as possible. Which is around 1" and a 1/8.

I traded out the stock shocks pretty quickly to some others I had sitting around.

[TURTLE]

After years of driving RC Rally cars I knew suspension is very important. Getting good shocks that don't leak and have a variety of springs available was crucial.

After a recommendation from my friend Tom I went with Team Associated B5M buggy shocks. But the stock shock towers just aren't tall enough, so it was time to make some new ones. I started with the front.








The stock shock for comparison.






A little refinement on the front, then I will cut the rear tower out. I added a little over a 1/2" to the front shock tower

[jebster]

What are your expectation on how the open belt system will do in the dirt? I saw a review of the rz-4 rally car from hobby king (which has a very similar layout to the xray t4) and they had issues with dirt and gravel messing with the exposed belt drive.

I've been looking for a rally car but have an xray t4 I never use which is why I'm asking.

[TURTLE]

Originally Posted by jebster

What are your expectation on how the open belt system will do in the dirt? I saw a review of the rz-4 rally car from hobby king (which has a very similar layout to the xray t4) and they had issues with dirt and gravel messing with the exposed belt drive.

I've been looking for a rally car but have an xray t4 I never use which is why I'm asking.

Terrible! But the guys across the pond figured that out for us.






This will probably be the hardest thing thing I have to make for this, but I should be able to handle it.

I actually reviewed the RZ-4 Rally for RCDriver. I was pleasantly surprised with the car, but I agree the open design needs some protection. Luckily with a fair amount of styrene, some balloons and creativity things can be pretty much sealed up.

[jebster]

Funny that you reviewed the rz-4. Like you said very similar to the xray t series.

Good to know there are options to convert the t4, although I'm hoping to pick up an xv-01 to get into rally. Been reading up on your and other threads and it looks like a good platform.

[TURTLE]

Originally Posted by jebster

Funny that you reviewed the rz-4. Like you said very similar to the xray t series.

Good to know there are options to convert the t4, although I'm hoping to pick up an xv-01 to get into rally. Been reading up on your and other threads and it looks like a good platform.

The XV01 really is a great platform made for the abuse these cars are put through. This is just a fun experiment I know will drive quiet different.

I did a little more with the front shock tower, added some clearance on top of the diff and finished a drilling a couple of holes.



I cut the rear tower out as well, I added 3/4" to the height of the tower.



A little ruler action to show clearances.











I clearanced the front knuckles to get a little more steering out of the car as well. With the current shocks it is pretty much maxed out. Even in this formation it still has more steering travel then my XV01.

[TURTLE]

Got some more done on the X Ray.

Underbody is almost done.















And I got the Volkswagen Polo R painted.


















And next to the XV01 Ford Fiesta

[TURTLE]

I got all the electronics in and the underbody pretty much buttoned up.

[bvrc]

What do you think about the durability of those belts? Will the stock belts hold up?

[TURTLE]

Good question! I didn't bother inspecting anything in the car before I bolted electronics in, and as you saw the rear belt stripped pretty early on at the race on Sunday. The car drove really well, but I did go to front wheel drive 10 laps into practice. I am hoping it was just the fact the belts are old worn out rubber belts. I made a couple orders and got some replacement parts and up grade parts which should be here pretty soon.

[TURTLE]

After a little rebuild and some back up parts I got this car moving again.

First thing I did was swap out the old belts.







Next I swapped the 64 pitch gears for 48 pitch.


And I got a stack of parts so no more long waits for the mailman.


I also redid the steering "balloons" to help keep dirt out.


And I put some aluminum knuckles on to add a little bit more steering.




I also finished up the ice race tires.




I did a little practice run at the local clay indoor track and went for it over the larger doubles. The car tumbled quite a bit, and cleared the jumps a little less. But overall the the car did really well, far better then the XV01 in the same situation. Plus I pushed it hard and nothing broke! I might be on to something. More testing to come.

[rustneversleeps]

Originally Posted by jebster

What are your expectation on how the open belt system will do in the dirt? I saw a review of the rz-4 rally car from hobby king (which has a very similar layout to the xray t4) and they had issues with dirt and gravel messing with the exposed belt drive.

I've been looking for a rally car but have an xray t4 I never use which is why I'm asking.

i was going to ask the same thing but i have the 07/T2 and it's been on the shelve for some time now with tons of spare parts.
Is this something new to convert these T2 to rallies..

[TURTLE]

Originally Posted by rustneversleeps

i was going to ask the same thing but i have the 07/T2 and it's been on the shelve for some time now with tons of spare parts.
Is this something new to convert these T2 to rallies..

The european guys have been running this platform for years as rally cars with good success from what I can interpret. The only rally I have had a chance to run this car at was the ice Race and it did really, really well. The driving characteristics were different then I was used to but pretty spectacular. I ended up winning every race that day and the car was blistering fast and very easy to control.

I think a sealed underbody is going to be key to keeping the belt on the pulleys, and while it takes a little work it is completely feasible.

[Joeslock]

Originally Posted by TURTLE

The european guys have been running this platform for years as rally cars with good success from what I can interpret. The only rally I have had a chance to run this car at was the ice Race and it did really, really well. The driving characteristics were different then I was used to but pretty spectacular. I ended up winning every race that day and the car was blistering fast and very easy to control.



I think a sealed underbody is going to be key to keeping the belt on the pulleys, and while it takes a little work it is completely feasible.

I'm coming for you with the Cirus XV-01 conversion. It's so light and so nimble.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TURTLE]

Originally Posted by Joeslock

I'm coming for you with the Cirus XV-01 conversion. It's so light and so nimble.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I got one of those too!

I just really like how responsive, predictable and the crazy amount of steering this car has. I'm ready for you Joe!

[Joeslock]

Originally Posted by TURTLE

I got one of those too!



I just really like how responsive, predictable and the crazy amount of steering this car has. I'm ready for you Joe!

I'm gonna start nonstop practice montage mode. After I lighten up the diffs a bit. So many mods, too bad I suck at taking pics and posting stuff.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Embie]

Good work! About belts: I'm using Xray belt platform like 8 years in rally and just once I broke my belt. BUT it was at my RWD special, where belt is quite under harsh conditions and it was quite worn. Elsewhere, if you use good cover and good belts (actually, I don't use original ones, they are sure good too, but quite expensive) and its tightened correctly (does not mean A LOT), you never should have problem with them :-)

Xray's are really good cars with nice suspension geometry and if you're able to deal with cover and other modifications needed, I think there is no better car for rally.

[rustneversleeps]

i like to try it but looks like a lot of work just to cover stuff up and lots of mods...
But i was checking out Tamiya XV-01 are these parts interchange able with the TT-01 platform..

[reg]

Hi buddy,
I started the same thing on a T4 16 as I saw the potential,I did all the covers and it took ages,but I was un happy with it,I did the balloons too,I ripped it all off and sold the car 🙈 Iv kept the longer shocks and shock towers incase I do another,out of interested did you use clear lexan? I folded all mine did but used tank tape on joins,what is it you have used to bond your bits together?

Originally Posted by TURTLE

After a little rebuild and some back up parts I got this car moving again.

First thing I did was swap out the old belts.







Next I swapped the 64 pitch gears for 48 pitch.


And I got a stack of parts so no more long waits for the mailman.


I also redid the steering "balloons" to help keep dirt out.


And I put some aluminum knuckles on to add a little bit more steering.




I also finished up the ice race tires.




I did a little practice run at the local clay indoor track and went for it over the larger doubles. The car tumbled quite a bit, and cleared the jumps a little less. But overall the the car did really well, far better then the XV01 in the same situation. Plus I pushed it hard and nothing broke! I might be on to something. More testing to come.