One step forward, two steps back

Today I recieved my Futaba 3PM-X, Differential input gears, corner weight scales, and a couple Kershaw pinion gears.

Note, if you need to lower the front end of an xo-1, simply turn the front shock tower around. This leans it back and stretches out the distance between the a-arms and the tower, but restricts the movement of the front sway bar (if you use one). I accidentally installed mine backwards on the sisters and the front is too low with the GRP's, so I will fix that in the morning.

The Leopard 5898 motor shaft is a bit too long for the xo-1, so i am having issues shoe-horning it in with a pinion gear attached to the Kershaw Design Motor Mount. Basically you need three sets of hands and 4 pairs of eyes to get aligned correctly. Pain in the butt!

Once I get the motor mount and gearing issues solved, I will be finishing my pseudo-stock xo-1 build for the comparisons to start.

Carnage in the Speedrun Lab

I'm trying to limit my time in the speedrun lab as to not go completely insane with the DLS builds...it's not quite working. I got a complete roller delivered the other day to setup as my control sample in the upcoming drag tests. ***Going to be selling it as a complete car after all this is over if anyone is interested, so stay tuned 😉*** So, I am neck deep in XO-1 parts in the lab, as you can see in the pics below.

This week I should be getting various pinion gears from Kershaw Designs, a new Futaba radio (much farther range than the Tactic system I have now) and a few odds-n-ends to finish off the builds. Looking forward to getting these girls done so I can start my bench testing.

After work this morning I will try to video a lab update and do a rundown of the project as it is, and where it's going.

Also, I am looking into building a small treadmill for the bench testing...probably won't happen, but it would be nice to test run without worrying about hitting a curb.

Anywho...

Make it till you Break it!!

DLS's... a little bit more

Reworked the top brace on DLS 1 and mounted the Castle XL X on DLS 2.

Whats left?
- soldering, gearing and body for both
- mount the esc in DLS 1
- raise the suspension on DLS 1
- upper arm and steering links for DLS 2
- lower plastics and front carrier for DLS 2

Going to bed...hope to get something done tomorrow.

DLS's 1&2 Motors are in...

Using two Proline Motor mount plates to secure the Leopard 5898 motor on DLS 1. DLS 2 has the little bracket I came up with yesterday. Now comes the time for gearing research and final drivetrain adjustments.

The project recap:

Building 2 2wd XO-1's, one with an upgraded Slash type trasmission/diff and the other with the stock XO-1 transmission/diff. Both have a Leopard Hobby 5898 motor in them and will be powered by Castle Creation XLX's.

Time for lunch.

XO-1 Motor Mount Adapter

Fabbed up a little motor mount adapter for an XO-1. Not sure how well it will hold together, but seems sturdy enough for testing. Going to have to make a couple more and refine the design a bit.

Also need to make one for the Proline HD Transmission. Using two motor mount plates for the PL setup to increase strength. More pics to come...

It would be easier with a drill press, but I enjoy a challenge 😉

She's a roller

Completed the rear end and threw on a 4092 leopard motor for the chassis break in period. Had to use Tekno 2210 axles to fit the wide track of the xo-1 a arms.

A peak at the Leopard 5692 for Mobius.

Wednesday, working on the body and electrical. Got to get the chassis raised and the shocks blocked out as well.

DLS Rear Re-Do

In my rush to start working on 'Dirty Little Sister' I completely forgot my original layout ideas. In other words, i messed up and put the back on backwards...duh!

With my adapater plates the switch was easy, but I did have to re-drill some holes. Good thing is that in doing the refit, the rear track is now actually aligbed correctly! 😉

She should run straight and true. Mocked up the 4092 motor for a clearance check and all should be good. Once I get the 5898 motors in, I will have to adjust again accordingly. The only issue I can forsee right now is the ground clearance in the rear, she may be a bit too low with the GRPs. Thankfully the Proline shock towers have various mounting points so it won't be a problem, just have to wait and see.

Thanks for reading...

Power system for the Sisters

The twin DLS's will be receiving identical power systems to ensure an accurate comparison. I am going with a Leopard Hobby motor: 5898 - 1100kv, and Castle XL X ecs's. Managed to get good deals on both items (probably because I was buying 2 of each). Anyway, for now I am stuck until the packages arrive over the next week or two.

The last item will be batteries. Looking at the Venom 100c 3s 4-packs (the twins will be running on 6s).

Adapter Fabrication

Completed the first attempt at an adapter made from aluminum plates to mount the Proline HD Trannsmission to the XO-1 chassis. Found that it is fairly center, but the entire thing sits off by a few degrees. Hopefully I can simply slot the holes on the plate and swing it all inline.

DLS-2 Rear setup

Connecting the trans to the chassis is becoming a b!tch. Fabbing up two adapter plates that I can bolt together. Made a template for the trans, now have to make another for the bulkhead.

I had to shave the bulkhead flat and trim the body mount bracket to fit the new rear in. Should have the rear wheels on tomorrow...more to come ;-)