XRAY T2`009 Review in Xtreme RC Cars

PERFORMANCE TEST
‘009
xray T2
us edition
worth it’s weight in gold
GAS
GAS
words: J. Filipow | photos: Carl Hyndman
F
or me, nothing matches the excitement and satisfaction of assembling
a brand new car kit. And with XRAY’s T2 ‘009 US Foam-Spec Edition,
that process is not only enjoyable, but it also results in one of the most
competitive, track-ready, fully adjustable and aesthetically pleasing
touring cars on the market today.
Mr. Filipow is in the house.
Don’t overgold, it’s dangerous.
98 | WWW.RC411.COM
AUGUST 2009 | 99
XRAY
PART #: 7027
STREET PRICE: $220
Price as tested: $1,014
setup time: 6 hours
experience level: Advanced
N
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XRA
T2 ‘009 US EDition
SCALE POWER
TYPE
GAS
Driveshafts: The US edition utilizes
slightly shorter 50mm driveshafts than the EU
edition. This allows the car to transfer weight
quicker, left to right, on high traction surfaces.
01
GAS
01
orange all
around • The
CHASSIS
most noticeable
difference of the
‘009 kit is the color of the
aluminum bulkheads and
complementary hardware—
metallic orange. Love it or hate
it, XRAY has taken another step
to differentiate their already
top-quality products from the
rest of the crowd.
02
lipo pads •
03
02
reduced
mass •
Rotating mass
has been
reduced by using Swiss 7075
T6 aluminum driveshafts
in the rear. In addition, the
rear stub axles have also
been lightened and look
super trick.
Double deck
thickness:
3.5 mm. lower, 2.4 mm. upper
material:
Carbon fiber
TYPE:
4-wheel independent
TURNBUCKLES:
HUDY Spring steel
STEERING:
Monocrank
SWAYBARS (F/R): 1.4 mm. / none
SHOCKS
Plastic
bodies:
damping (F/R): XRAY 350-weight
pistons (F/R):
Adjustable 1-4 hole
springs (F/R):
Light purple / white
drive train
type:
4WD dual belt
differential:
Adjustable ball, front and rear
axle type:
HUDY Spring steel front, T6 aluminum rear
transmission: Belt drive
spur gear
Material:
Molded plastic
BEARINGS:
Rubber-shielded
gearing
1st
Pinion/spur:
116/22, 64-pitch
GEAR RATIOS:
PRIMARY:
5.27
INTERNAL:
1.7:1
FINAL:
8.96:1
body, tires & wheels
body:
Not included
tires (F/R):
Not included
diameter/
width:
NA
hex size:
12mm
wheels:
Not included
dimensions
03
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weight:
3.15 lbs., (1,430g)
track
width (F/R):
7.48/7.48 in. (190/190mm)
wheelbase:
6.30 in. (260mm)
ride height
0.20 in. (5.0mm)
Roll Centers: The US edition includes a complete
range of molded and labeled, lower suspension holders.
These are used to adjust roll center—low, mid and
high—and by using them in combination, squat and
dive are also independently adjustable.
AUGUST 2009 | 101
We know of some “Asia” versions out there.
XRAY demonstrates
that they are
prepared for the
transition to LiPo batteries with
the inclusion of LiPo Pads. These
pads, which are actually carbon
fiber shims, are bolted between
the aluminum bulkheads and the
top deck. Once installed, the LiPo
Pads create an additional 2.3mm
of clearance for easy fitment of
most LiPo batteries.
Multi-Flex: In combination
with XRAY’s Multi-Flex Technology
adjustment, the rigid 3.5mm
chassis can be adapted to a wide
range of grip levels. The US
edition also includes removable
aluminum chassis stand offs,
which will keep it poised in the
highest of traction conditions.
LAYOUT:
SUSPENSION
Great traction, incredible
corner speeds and
amazing lap times.
Quick-Saver: Incorporated along with the factory
assembled servo saver are five Ackermann settings.
More or less, Ackermann is easily accomplished by
loosening a single screw and sliding the Quick-Saver to
one of the stepped positions.
There is no AUS version, sorry.
VEHICLE INFO
DRIVE
PERFORMANCE TEST
xray
ion
T2’ 009 us edit
Testing
Fortunately, Southern California is now home to a brand new, permanent
indoor carpet track. OCRC Raceway in Huntington Beach recently
expanded their already world-class off-road facility to include a 75 x 75foot on-road track. I was one of the first racers to hit the rug with foam tires
and was able to complete two full days of non-stop testing and practice.
Acceleration and Speed • Foam
tires, carpet and modified motors—you know
this equates to great traction, incredible corner
speeds and amazing lap times. Starting with
the kit setup, the car had a neutral and very
predictable balance, despite the increasing grip
level on the track surface. It’s no wonder that the
modified foam classes are waning in participation
throughout the U.S.; it requires a lot of skill
and nerve to pilot one of these missiles. To do it
consistently, lap after lap, and in traffic, is not for
the weak at heart.
Rating: 9.5/9.5
Filipow has skill and nerve.
Braking • The OCRC carpet track is a little
tight for the power of a 4.5 brushless, so using
the brakes was required. The car was neutral
under braking and the foam tires added plenty
of stability.
Rating: 9
Low-Speed • Low speed!? On foam tires
and a 4.5 brushless? There’s no such thing as
“low speed!” However, on the “slower” sections
of the layout, the ‘009 rotated quickly through
the 180 degree sections. Off power, the kit
setup remained very balanced, front to rear, and
provided the fast rotation required to get back on
the throttle.
Rating: 9
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High-Speed Handling • This
car is responsive, even at very high speeds.
Turn the wheel and the car turns. Instantly.
Keeping the power down thru the sweeper
only requires a finger full of nerve; the car
itself is more than capable.
Rating: 9
Wrenching
Maintenance • Working on a chassis
of this caliber is truly enjoyable. Thanks to
the precision engineering and machining,
every part on the ‘009 fits perfectly, right out
of the box. Each carbon fiber and aluminum
component is beautiful. There is little-to-no
flash on the molded parts. There is no slop and
no shimming is required. Combine this kit with
a set of HUDY tools to work with, and you
almost get the sensation that you’re a Formula 1
mechanic. Spur gear changes can be tedious and
will require some practice. Setting the gear mesh
can be tedious, too. Take your time to get it
right the first time, especially with 64-pitch, and
you won’t be needing to replace stripped spurs.
Learning how to identify and install the roll
center holders will require some patience as well.
Rating: 9.5
GAS
test GEAR
radio:
Airtronics M11, 90270TX27,
$270
receiver:
Spektrum SR3500,
SPM1210, $99
steering
servo:
Orion Vortex Digital Servo,
ORI68001 $119
SPEED
CONTROL:
Novak GTB 1710, $150
MOTOR:
Trinity Pulse 4.5 TRI10403
$98
battery:
Trinity IP 3800/35c Lipo
TRI20807, $119
tires:
Jaco Prizm, Double Pink
JAC6135 $13/pair
body:
Protoform 190mm Lightweight
R-9F PRO1497-11 $20
CONTACT
XRAY:
www.rcamerica.com
AIRTRONICS:
www.airtronics.net
ORION:
www.team-orion.com
PROTOFORM:
www.prolineracing.com
Dist. by RC America
NOVAK ELECTRONICS: www.teamnovak.com
JACO:
www.jacoracing.net
TRINITY PRODUCTS:
www.teamtrinity.com
P1 BRAND:
www.P1Brand.com
PAINT/RC3 Grafix:
www.rctech.net
GAS
PERFORMANCE TEST
Wear and Tear • Overall, this car is
extremely durable. Being a chassis optimized
for high traction conditions, every part is
tailored to eliminate unwanted flex from the
platform. From the XH (extra hard) molded
arms and uprights, to a wider top deck
supported by removable aluminum standoffs,
this car is majorly stiff. The aluminum diffs
come pre-assembled, but they will need to
be set to the correct tension. Utilize a little
patience and follow the diff adjustment
directions outlined in the kit and you will be
rewarded with a long lasting and smooth diff.
Rating: 9
Tuning • The ‘009 responded noticeably
to the minor changes I made. Adjustments to
droop and ride height are simple to overlook,
but critical to carpet racing. I spent most of my
testing time fine-tuning these settings, which
resulted in faster lap times. XRAY includes
a copy of its comprehensive 40-page setup
book for the T2 platform. Using photographs
and illustrations, this manual explains many
of the possible adjustments and handling
xray
characteristics of the car in great detail. It’s
a great resource to all racers and adds a lot
of overall value to XRAY kits. And if that’s
not enough to fulfill your bench racing
daydreams, there are also countless
user-generated set-up sheets posted on
their website.
Rating: 9
Conclusion
XRAY’s latest ‘009 US Foam-Spec
edition kit continues the tradition that
XRAY has already established for its
T2 platform: top-shelf components,
perfect fit and finish and infinite
adjustability. Combine this with the
included setup book and the array
of online setup sheets, and the ‘009
US edition is poised for club races or
national championships.
ion
T2 ’009 us edit
GAS
SCORECARD
SCALE RATING: 1=POOR 10=EXCELLENT
9
10
9
9
9.5
9
INSTRUCTIONS
parts quality/fit
durability
tunability
overall performance
value
hits
• Durable platform, optimized for foam tires
• Premium materials, perfect fit and finish
• Extremely responsive to setup changes
The Old English is coming back!
misses
• Foam racing is losing popularity
• Parts can be difficult to find at LHS
main competition
Tamiya 416, Hot Bodies Cyclone, Team Associated TC 5,
Schumacher Mi3.5, Team Losi JRXS Type R
who it’s for
Experienced racers who want a durable, tunable and
performance-oriented, top-shelf race kit
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GAS
XRAY
SCALE POWER
T2 ‘009 US EDition
TYPE
DRIVE
GAS
GAS
POWERPLANT INFO
T
he Trinity Pulse 4.5 motor provided plenty of power with a very
smooth and useable power band. Combined with the Trinity
IP 3800 35C LiPo, top speeds were very fast, especially on what
are typically tight and small carpet tracks. Be sure to choose your
gearing carefully, as this decision is influenced by tire diameter,
motor and/or ESC timing, as well track size. Brushless motors
perform most reliably and consistently if kept under 175-180
degrees maximum, and the Pulse 4.5 is no exception.
performance INFO
curve
0-60 ft: 1.76 sec. @ 44.5 mph
Top Speed: 56.5 mph @ 229 ft.
Average Run Time: 6 minutes
test conditions
weather:
Indoor, climate controlled
Temp/humidity:
70-73° F/55-57%
Barometric
pressure:
30.05
altitude:
652 ft.
Track type:
Medium-bite carpet
handling
TURNING RADIUS:
2 ft. 4 in.
On power:
Slight Understeer
off power:
Slight Oversteer
braking
Control:
Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent
Fade:
Poor Slight None
Overall:
Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent
AUGUST 2009 | 107
Someone should do anodized pink, just so they can say they did.
acceleration