XV-01 Upgrades and Hop Ups

[skom25 2187]

Hi,

I ordered XV-01 and now it is time to think about some upgrades. I do not want to go crazy this time, especially that kit stretched my budget quite hard.

I will use it ONLY on asphalt and pavement.

I already found things which are mandatory, some things that are maybe nice to have and some... which I do not understand.

Mandatory:

- Shims for NN4 parts. There are no aluminium spacers to replace that part in my area, so I already ordered 4x6 shims and will add them, to separate pin from plastic part.

- Diff blue orings. They are cheap and I heard that black from kit can leak.

- Steel pinion

Nice to have:

- Carbon towers, only because it is super easy to disassembly shocks.

- Front CVDs. Expensive but I will have stock as spares for rear.

- High Torque Servo Saver

I do not understand... :

- Aluminium pulley. What is the reason to install it? Any noticeable advantages over stock?

- Reinforced belt?

I am looking for... :

- Spur gear is attached to that circle part. I heard that it is super easy to strip threads, so I am looking for alu upgrade. Can someone write for which number I should look for? I mean that blue part ( it is TT-02, just example)

- Diff oil. I am almost sure, that 1k from kit is too thin. Any suggestions which to use for asphalt/ pavement?

- Shock springs. Any suggestion? My experience shows, that in all cases kit springs were not fine for conditions I run.

Suggestions and comments are welcome. Just a remider: I really do not want to go crazy with upgardes.

[BuggyDad 5926]

I have had no issues so far with the stock diffs, spur and pulleys. Well, I did damage the spur but only because my pinion moved on the motor spindle. Also stock shock towers. I do have the reinforced belt but to be honest I don't know why really, it was cheap and I was placing a PJ order so in it went. 

There's a recurring theme here - although I do have quite a few hop-ups they mostly aren't really necessary. The XV requires less change from stock than most Tamiyas.

If I were you I'd put the aluminium suspension mounts (YR or Tamiya) on my list of things to buy if you find them cheap and are combining things for postage. And I'd get some setting springs and oil as I said on the other thread. 

Another item you might consider if you're placing an order anyway is fibre reinforced arms. They're stiffer and stronger and it's probably worth holding spares in stock for when/if you break an arm. I think I've only broken one arm though. 

If using only on asphalt I'd get suitable tyres. I use Ride Cut Slicks which come pre-glued. 

Ultimately I suspect you might want shorter shocks for asphalt, but as I said on the other thread, why not run it stock first before deciding to do that. 

[bavee 1144]

This were my "essential" upgrades:

- 2 x 54379 XV-01 Aluminium Suspension Mount (XJ)
- 1 x 54376 XV-01 Separate Suspension Mounts (1XJ)
- 1 X 54377 Separate Suspension Mounts (1XM)
- 1 x 53056 Pin Type Wheel Adapter
- 1 × Carson mod 0.6 22t Steel Pinion
- 1 x 53585 3mm Shim Set
- 1 x 53586 4mm Shim Set
- 1 x 5100 Hi-Torque Servo Saver
- 1 x Square Aluminium Collars 5x4x2

[Kowalski86 4286]

I don't own an XV-01, but from my understanding don't worry about the slipper clutch hop-up if you find it.

Slipper clutches are something you'd use in buggys and trucks that will see a lot of air time. They're not necessary in touring cars.

If you're just running it on asphalt. I'd run it as is with the steel pinion and only buy the aluminum hop-ups as (or if) things wear out. Save some money for different tires.

On my cheap, entry level Tamiya on-roaders. I've yet to break a suspension arm or a suspension mount, I've only stripped a shock tower thanks to the self-tapping screws.

[skom25 2187]

Thank you for replies.

Should I worry about broken arms on asphalt? Probably not. I will order them some day, just to have as spare.

Aluminium suspension mounts are no go. They are so expensive, that it does not make sense. Similar as above, I believe that on asphalt it is not necessary upgrade.

 

[bavee 1144]

6 minutes ago, skom25 said:

Aluminium suspension mounts are no go. They are so expensive, that it does not make sense. Similar as above, I believe that on asphalt it is not necessary upgrade.

The aluminium suspension mounts are only needed if you crash...

On impact the arms can break free from the stock mounts and then you can loose the small balls that are fitted to the arms. The aluminium mounts prevent this.

So, just don't hit a curb .

[skom25 2187]

Ah!

I am blind. I checked manual few times and have not seen that ball ends at suspension shafts.

I read somewhere that it is worth to change them for metal. Is this true?

[BuggyDad 5926]

I agree - you'd need to do something like hit a kerb to break a suspension mount or arm. They are simply the most likely things to break if you do, and so are the most obvious upgrades for strength. That doesn't make them necessary, but some people would see them as worth doing. When I'm doing postal racing there's really nothing to hit except a roll in the grass if I overshoot, so I haven't damaged anything except to eat tyres. 

Overall, I'd say the car is fairly tough. The suspension and steering on the XV is tougher than that on the TT-02 IMO. 

Something I think that does happen fairly commonly is you hit a kerb or something, pop out a top turnbuckle link and lose the dogbone. No permanent damage but if you then can't find the dogbone you've got to buy a part. Consider painting the dog bones a bright colour? As luck would have it, I did lose a dogbone early but since upgrading to CVDs (and replacing the worn adjuster end that started popping off for fun) I don't think I've popped a link off again 🙄. 

[skom25 2187]

It would sound like I am looking for any reason to not buy them but... I really run on flat and safe areas

Believe me or not, I ran about 10-15 packs on TT-02B and wheels, chassis and arms do not have even scratch.

Talking shortly: I will note that down and have that information, if one day I will decide to buy.

Thank you!

[alvinlwh 7234]

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[skom25 2187]

@alvinlwh I am just "what if..." person. It is really problematic, when you overthink things.

Orings are really cheap, so it is not a problem. 

What about alloy pulley? I am really interested why it exists.

 

[alvinlwh 7234]

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[Alexei 756]

4 hours ago, skom25 said:

I am looking for... :

- Spur gear is attached to that circle part. I heard that it is super easy to strip threads, so I am looking for alu upgrade. Can someone write for which number I should look for? I mean that blue part ( it is TT-02, just example)

 

 

you mean spur gear mount? it uses the FF-03 spur gear mount, and is Tamiya part number 54234. it is also discontinued https://www.hlj.com/op-1234-ff-03-alumi-super-gear-mount-tam54234

[BuggyDad 5926]

It sounds like more an assembly issue than a performance/running one. I think if you know that some people have stripped threads on a particular part, you might also find there's a low/no cost solution around tapping it, using different screws or just being careful. Probably just be careful on fitting. Mine haven't stripped. As with other parts, if you then do have a problem you can buy the hop up to fix it later. Especially if you're trying to be careful with the budget. 

[skom25 2187]

Is #54500 Spur Mount exactly the same as that dedicated for XV-01? Anyone knows?

 

[skom25 2187]

What about suspension balls? I read somewhere, that it is worth to use upgraded version. I see that metal version is recommended to aluminium mounts. What about white plastic? Are they better than stock black? #54747

Suspension mounts sit so deep in chassis, that if it is possible to use upgraded parts, I just want to do this.

[Kowalski86 4286]

On 10/22/2023 at 10:58 AM, skom25 said:

What about white plastic? Are they better than stock black? #54747

In pretty sure that the white suspension balls are "low friction", I wouldn't worry about them. Metal has less friction and less play all around.

[skom25 2187]

Metal balls are not recommended for stock mounts I have plan to use. Maybe will try white version, I am not sure. Have to calculate everything

[bavee 1144]

Somehow I can't imagine that the use of those low friction balls will be noticable...

Please let us know what your experiences are when you decide to use them.

[alvinlwh 7234]

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[bavee 1144]

I was today years old when i found out something like that existed .

[skom25 2187]

2 hours ago, bavee said:

Somehow I can't imagine that the use of those low friction balls will be noticable...

Please let us know what your experiences are when you decide to use them.

At least I will have possibility to put TRF sticker on body, because that white balls are TRF parts

I decided to not buy CVDs. I already had them in cart and almost clicked "Order" and... removed them. In last second I found that front and rear dog bones and cups are not the same :/ I had plan to buy CVDs and leave front as spares but it is impossible. In that case, I just do want to spend quite a lot of money and throw new parts into bin...

[bavee 1144]

30 minutes ago, skom25 said:

At least I will have possibility to put TRF sticker on body, because that white balls are TRF parts

The urethane bushings that are included in the kit are TRF-parts already .

[wilysloth 23]

On 10/21/2023 at 8:23 PM, skom25 said:

Is #54500 Spur Mount exactly the same as that dedicated for XV-01? Anyone knows?

Tamiya 54234 doesn't require using part JJ8. It looks to me as though the TT-02 high speed gear set part, if it fits, would still require using JJ8 due to the pin slot rather than pin hole.

I wonder if the XV-02 Yeah Racing spur gear holder might work?

[skom25 2187]

I am not sure about slot and pin hole you metioned.

If I use TT-02 part, it will sit on shaft and pin will go through slot. Then spur will block pin on both sides, so it will not fall out. I am not sure, if JJ8 part is necessary.

I will measure everything and check when diff will be ready. Why do you think that I nees to use JJ8?

It is hard to find photos of #54234 from both sides.