brainsurf

I'm getting back in this addictive hobby (thanks to my son).
I still have my original Losi XXX which was competitive for me in it's day.
Just wondering if it can still be competitive if I update it?
Any recommendations or thoughts? (just don't want to break the bank)

jsinclair

iTrader: (3)

I've got a xxx-cr and its definitely competitive at the club level.

mdutcher

iTrader: (8)

I also have a Losi XXX-Cr and I raced it for the first time this week. It is capable of being competitive for sure. Even more so now that I have my gearing figured out. I say build it up with a good brushless set-up and go race it.

Bob Barry

iTrader: (22)

I think that if you put the time in and practice, you will be fast no matter which chassis you have.

As long as you can get parts, run what you have until you bank enough for a current gen car.

Davidka

iTrader: (86)

Yes. It's still a great car and most of the current popular tires were around when the XXX came out. A worthwhile upgrade would be to get the XXXcr transmission outdrives, diff screw, and diff spring. Rebuild with those and your diff will be much smoother and longer lasting. You can reproduce pretty current XXX setups if you get the VLA front arms and caster blocks. The last version of the XXX that the team raced was pretty close to the original's spec with the exception of the front and the improved diff.

Get a Novak Havoc with a 17.5 motor (assuming you want to race stock class) and a decent Lipo battery and you're all set.

fredswain

iTrader: (1)

Shhhhh....that's a secret! Everyone is supposed to think that the newest car is the best one and will guarantee wins.

CraigMBA

iTrader: (22)

Is that why the Losi guys are all running state of the art for 1997 XX-4 buggys in 4w now?

brainsurf

Thanks for the advice everyone!

Yes, practice and time is key, we'll see how rusty I am tomorrow when I go to the track (OCRC Raceway), with a brushed 17.5 turn, novak cyclone (yes the original), nimh 5100's ("borrowing" from my son, while he runs his Traxxas bandit).

Davidka, thanks for the tips on the easy upgrades (hopefully the shop at the track carries xxx-cr parts). Any reason why you recommend the Novak Havoc over the plethora of other esc's out there? Just curious...

Also, looking to get a 2.4ghz radio (to get away from the old AM), looking at a Airtronics MX-Sport....looks like it has good reviews....any thoughts?

Thank you all for the input and helping me spend my money ;-)

gubbs3

iTrader: (7)

As always, at the club level, it always comes down to driver skill. If you been out for a long time you'll probably cringe at how much better everyone else's car looks but give yourself a couple race and practice days to get the skills to come back and bit and you'll be surprised how good the car still is. If you can find Truhe's setup from the '10 ROAR Nats that's basically the same setup I ran a couple weeks ago at Trackside in WI and did quite well.

If you can get a CR front shock tower it has an extra hole which is basically in between the 2nd and 3rd of the original tower which helps a ton on higher grip indoor tracks. Its also higher so you get more usable travel and don't need as many limiters inside the shock.

xxx123

iTrader: (22)

I will certainly drive it. You may be frustrated due to the power drop from the last few minutes of your nimh battery and they are very inconsistent.

Spend time on:

1. Figure out the right pinion.
2. Maintain the brushed motor.

Would rather to spend $ on a entry level lipo, or brushless system.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Venom-V540-B...item4aaa93b65c

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sensored-Bru...item5ae4fce1d7

tony montana

iTrader: (76)

call me crazy but I bet the xx would be able to win still

brainsurf

Ok, so my skills are completely corroded in rust, but the fun factor is still shiny! I'm hooked once again (there goes the bank account)!!!

Looks like I need to invest in some of the xxx-cr parts suggested above, but more so in the turnbuckle shafts and ball ends (busted a couple this weekend at the track), any suggestions on strong ones?

I also took the plunge and got a mamba max pro esc with a cm36 5700kv motor off of eBay. Any suggestions on gearing with this or any other tips?

I'm primarily going to OCRC Raceway (ocrcraceway.com) but am thinking of venturing to West Coast Raceway for some fun too!

Again thanks for all the replies!

Happy racing!

fredswain

iTrader: (1)

The ball ends that I use are the ones from the 22. I use Lunsford Punisher turnbuckles.

brainsurf

Thanks fredswain, those should hopefully do the trick!