Even though the new XRAY XB2 2024 comes race ready straight out of the box with many setup possibilities such as different arms, hubs, gearboxes, springs, pistons or sway bars, you may still be interested in some of the, for me, most essential option parts to hop up on your new car.
In a couple of posts I will cover the option parts I use on my XB2'24 for my racing.
First up are the ventilated slipper plates, which I use for better cooling and cleaner slipper pads, also increasing the life span of the pads. This one is recommended for the MODIFIED classes.
Second from the same part of the car is the "Slipper eliminator set", which is highly recommended for the STOCK classes for maximum drive of the vehicle. Recently used by Martin and me at the Florida Carpet Championship '23.
You can find these parts under the part numbers:
#324130-L - Ventilated slipper pads
#324103 - Slipper eliminator set
Let's have a look at the drivetrain of the car. The 2024 carpet model comes with a new narrower diff design, which can then accommodate the same length drive shafts as for the ball diff, which is 77mm. This is much easier when running on astro and you need to quickly change between the diffs, but also makes your parts box a little cleaner as you will need only one type of drive shafts now.
This may come with issues fitting the drive shaft legth when playing with adding more droop and running the car maximum wide on C/D blocks and rear hub out on both diff setups. In this situation the option adjustable drive axle comes in handy, so you can play with the setup of the rear suspension as you like and always adjust the shaft length as needed.
The new diff comes with 4 steel gears already included, altough if you would like to run the 2-gear configuration, I will recomend the Steel or Alu diff pins, which will allow you to do so. I then run still only one shim on both gears in the diff.
You can find these parts under the part numbers:
#325341 2x + #325390 - 2x Rear adjustable drive axle + shim
#335080 - Steel diff pins
#335081 - Alu diff pins
The front suspension did not go through any huge improvements compare to the previous version of the car, although I thought I would give you an overlook on the parts I use on it and some more insight. Seeming as the obvious, I have my XB2 equipped with graphite arms for more stability on high grip.
I also use the optional Alu C-hubs and steering block set, which I then combine with the new steering graphite extensions from the 2024 kit. Allowing you to run the steering block lower compare to the plastic versions, the Alu front hubs give you more setup options and precise steering for carpet and astro racing. The new steering extensions have all the same inner wheel turn, but change the outer wheel turn angle.
1dot extension is the most aggressive one, suitable for tight tracks where you need steering and the outer wheel turns the most, whereas the 3dot is the least aggressive one and is suitable for high speed and flowy tracks. The 2dot is right in the middle of those and that's why it is included in the new kit.
You can find these option parts under the part numbers:
#322113-G and #323123-G - Graphite front arms left and right
#320903 - XB2 Alu steering blocks & C-hubs Set
#322294 or #322296 - Graphite steering extensions 1dot or 3dot
The new kit has seen a big step forward with changing to the 13.2mm diameter shocks. This helps get the car the needed pack for excellent landings, while allowing you to run thinner oil to generate grip and keep consistency during the run.
In the kit you will find 2mm and 2.5mm thickness versions of the pistons with pre-drilled 1.6mm and 1.8mm holes as the base setups. (2mm for dirt and astro, 2.5mm for carpet.) Although in case you would like to step up the game even more, I recommend to get the new optional Precision ground pistons, which is a set of 4 not drilled pistons, you can set them up as you like (2-hole, 3-hole, 4-hole configurations…) and they will fit in the shock body "precisely".
The new optional shock ends play a big role in the setup of my new car. With the possibility to keep the same shock rod length, but change the droop only by putting the +2 or +4 shock ball end, makes quick changes and adjustments much easier. I like to run a lot of droop on the cars, so this is a better solution then having the shock end unscrewed all the way and then loosing the thread.
To accommodate lower ride height, which is a must for carpet racing, I then recommend the optional Alu shock spring collars in the versions of -2mm or -4mm, depending on the ride height demanded.
You can find these option parts under the part numbers:
#368011 - Set of shock ball joints +2mm and +4mm (set of 2+2)
#368022 or #368023 - Alu shock spring collars -2mm or -4mm (sets of 4)
#368033 or #368034 - Precision Ground shock pistons Blank 2.5mm or 2mm (set of 4)
The rear suspension of the '24 model has got an upgrade too. Arm holders (C and D blocks) have a new wider design. For carpet I can personally recommend the 1o rear arm holder (D block), which allows you to play with the width of the car in the rear while still keeping 1o of rear toe-in.
Staying the same from previous versions, the Alu rear roll center holder is highly recommended not only because of providing one extra hole and therefore more setup options on all surfaces, but also because of more rigidity and durability. The same goes for the rear hubs, even though we have a new "Lower" hubs included in the kit, I would recommend to use those for dirt and astro, but put the optional Alu ones for carpet. I also use the rear graphite arms for more stability on high grip, but would prefer the Medium mixture for outdoor astro or dirt racing.
You can find these option parts under the part numbers:
#323326 - 1o rear arm holder (D block)
#363112-G and #363122-G - Graphite XB2 rear arms left and right
#323043 - Alu rear roll center holder
#323356 2x - Rear upright Alu Low 2x
