why are losi buggies down for the count? [Archive]

B4 Stealth

06-17-2007, 11:45 AM

from my experience with the Lazer ZX-5, it breaks, alot!! and it is a pain to work on, however i have heard good things from other people, so it must just be hit or miss. but if you are reffering to 4WD buggies, they are all fragile relative to almost anything else.

rustyrevo

06-17-2007, 12:12 PM

i just don't know which starter 4wd buggy should i get. i really like the losi xxx4 and xx4 but they seem weak.i need 4wd because traction is a need for me.i have a mm7700kv installed in a rustler and is a blast to drive but traction is horrible. so anyone know any tough 4wd buggies?

B4 Stealth

06-17-2007, 01:34 PM

the DF02/DF03 buggies by tamiya are both fairly solid. my DF02 has never broken and I have heard nothing bad about the DF03, plus they are cheap. the Losi's and Kyosho's were not meant for anything but flawless track running.

rustyrevo

06-17-2007, 02:01 PM

i don't really want a tamiya car or traxxas hows about a mrc academy sbv2?

InspGadgt

06-17-2007, 03:17 PM

I'd go with a Tamiya over an MRC any day.

B4 Stealth

06-17-2007, 03:17 PM

the mrc's are pretty durable compared to the losi's, but can't touch tamiya in the durability department. I know the factory driver, dan griffin, personally and he does very well with it at our club races, he doesn't just beat the local fast guys, he puts a lap bettween him and second place.

iuchris

06-17-2007, 03:36 PM

I have a Team Losi XXX4 G+ and have found it to be quite durable- one of the weak links is the plastic hub carriers. I upgraded to the Amain racing aluminum ones and have not had any issues since. I have raced this buggy probably 20 times (4wd mod w/ brushless), have had some nasty wrecks with it, and it has been very solid.

rustyrevo

06-17-2007, 06:02 PM

T-Maxxahol

06-17-2007, 07:18 PM

I have heard good about the Lazer buggies.. after a few tweaks they are pretty strong..
Do you have a Rustler now.. they are pretty tough.. not the best handling.. but.. a little set up.. might help??

You sound like someone who might run a Garland's but now im definately speculating..

T-Maxxahol

06-17-2007, 07:22 PM

DF03 is okay as well.. but if you want handling performance it will need alot of tweaks.. I am not downing it.. but be prepared to spend 100 atleast to get it near anything thats comparable to the losi or other cars..
( shocks , and towers.. slipper.. springs..and a few other places to strengthen.. )
I just got a DF03 to turn into a truggy using Rustler wheels.. and some other goodies.. ive probly spent the cars price in upgrades.. most of wich I deem needed...
stock it will need towers and shocks... atleast.. also you wont be running that Mamba in it without a SLIPPER!!!!
Just food for thought..

nicholcgn

06-17-2007, 10:22 PM

Well the Losi XX-4 and the Laser can be made durable with the right aftermarket parts. It cost you about another $100.

Also I am not sure why people think they are not durable. I have seen people nail post head on and they keep going. Will they take the same hit as a 1/8th? No but then again parts are not overbuilt as they are on a 1/8th. People make some delrin arms that can help with some of the durability.

rccardude04

06-18-2007, 03:19 AM

4wd buggies just aren't very tough for some reason. It seems like they're more designed as touring cars then end up with longer arms and shocks at the last minute.
I agree with a couple others... Buy a Tamiya.
The xxx-4 is kinda weak, the Laser isn't much better, and the MRC is a pile of crap and with AWFUL customer support and parts.
-Eric

iuchris

06-18-2007, 10:38 AM

what are all your upgrades? and which brushlesss system? i have a mm7700kv to put in it

The only structural upgrades are the Amain racing Hub Carriers. I run the gtb 6.5 w/ 3800's and 4200's. I have seen someone running as low as a 3.5 on a xxx4 but it was on a high traction surface; he had issues w/ his diffs and slipper coming loose. If you are going to put a lot of power in the xxx4, you need to make sure the drivetrain is adjusted properly (maybe even locktight the slipper like i did) and it will do just fine. I have beat numerous bj4's, kyosho's, academy's and X5's w/ my xxx4- I still believe it is a very competitive 4wd car.

GearheadXNT2

06-18-2007, 05:19 PM

I just recently re-acquired my beloved XX-4 WCE and it is great. the only upgrade i had on it was rpm ball cups and amain alum. spindles

Eli the rc guy

06-18-2007, 09:17 PM

If you don't really want to race the Dark Impact is tough and durable.Yeah if you want to race your going to have to spend some money upgrading. It is a very good buggie though to Start Out With.

jacsac

06-18-2007, 10:24 PM

If you put a MM 7700 in and it is a starter buggy, there is no amount of money to keep you from breaking. Learn to drive it and you won't need every available aluminum piece made. In racing, 4wd buggies break more because they usually have more speed and weight.........Practice.

rustyrevo

06-18-2007, 10:54 PM

i am a very good driver i suck now because of traction and landings are crappy but i cant seem to pass drivers cause they are too slow

Eli the rc guy

06-19-2007, 01:46 AM

Drive around them?? ;)

jacsac

06-19-2007, 03:02 AM

You need to find the right tires for traction and set your diff and clutch correctly. What tires are the rest of the racers using? As for landing that is definitely a skill issue. Use the throttle to adjust your car in air to land.

rustyrevo

06-19-2007, 11:09 AM

Drive around them?? ;)

i mostly fishtail and new tires aren't good

crazy4wdracer

06-19-2007, 03:52 PM

I have a xxx4G+ with a novak SS5800 BL system in it and it seems to hold up good.

rustyrevo

06-19-2007, 04:11 PM

well i came down to my last 2
1.losi xxx4
2.lazer zx-5
which one has more options?

T-Maxxahol

06-19-2007, 05:14 PM

the ball diff in the rustler will help immensly... . and in 2 wheel drive tires and set up are crucial.. Tires being 80% of setup..

my opinion with no proof.. I would get the Kyo to be diff.. but.. the losi will have better parts support..

P.s... DO you run in PA.. possibly at Garlands.????

T-Maxxahol

06-19-2007, 05:17 PM

I would also think the hotbodies buggy will be worth a look.. should be out now
for some reviews and what not hit up www.Oople.com

jacsac

06-19-2007, 05:26 PM

You could always find a used BJ4. The original version is cheaper than W.E. I have the BJ4WE and have never broke anything. I let a friend drive it and he lasted about half a lap before he snapped an arm.

GearheadXNT2

06-19-2007, 07:38 PM

i think ur suspensoin is a little off. try losi green springs on front and the pink springs in the rear. use 35wt oil all around. I run this setup as an all-round setup and it works pretty well.

XXX-4 Junkie

06-19-2007, 11:25 PM

I just got a new xxx-4 G+ about a month ago. This is what i have in it as of right now:
Novak 3.5 Velocity Brushless motor
Novak GTB Spread Spectrum Speed control
Futaba S9550 Low profile servo
Futaba 3PM 2.4 FASST radio set
Trinity vis-pro 4200 team spec 6 cell side x side
Venom speed meter (53 MPH!)
Maxx headlights/taillights
HPI LED setup (for the lights)
Acer full set of ceramic bearings

what do you think?

rustyrevo

06-20-2007, 11:34 AM

XXX-4 Junkie

06-21-2007, 04:39 AM

yes i broke many parts. first one of the pins to the drive shafts came out so i lost power to that wheel so it spinned and just atarted to tumble. i broke the front right a-arm the molded outdrive part on the right and the turnbuckle snaped off. (that was just the front) the back i somehow pulled the hinge pin out from the rear holder and my tittanium turnbuckle is now in the shape of a "U" haha. i also chipped the chassis in front of the battery but that was no big deal. i have plenty spares so it only cost me around 20 bucks to get the parts. i am in iraq right now and this is what i do so i dont go crazy. its still down right now im waiting on the outdrive set to come. i have pics but i just dont know how to post them so if anyone does any help would be appreciated so you can see my ride.

i dont know what mean by setup. like gears? suspention? what? im using the stock spur gear and ill get back to you on the pinion cause im not sure

i also have a TC4 and it went 70 mph until it started to float and it got air and hit a wall (i think i cried when it happened)

XXX-4 Junkie

06-21-2007, 04:42 AM

:eek: ffffffiffty tthhreee mph! wow and i thought
mine
is fast.:eek:have you broken anything and what is your setup?

yes i broke many parts. first one of the pins to the rear left drive shaft came out so i lost power to that wheel so it just started to tumble. i broke the front right a-arm the molded outdrive part on the right and the turnbuckle snaped off. (that was just the front) the back i somehow pulled the hinge pin out from the rear holder and my tittanium turnbuckle is now in the shape of a "U" haha. i also chipped the chassis in front of the battery but that was no big deal. i have plenty spares so it only cost me around 20 bucks to get the parts. i am in iraq right now and this is what i do so i dont go crazy. its still down right now im waiting on the outdrive set to come. i have pics but i just dont know how to post them so if anyone does any help would be appreciated so you can see my ride.

i dont know what mean by setup. like gears? suspention? what? im using the stock spur gear and ill get back to you on the pinion cause im not sure

i also have a TC4 and it went 70 mph until it started to float and it got air and hit a wall (i think i cried when it happened)

XXX-4 Junkie

06-21-2007, 04:43 AM

sorry didnt mean to post it twice

T/Losi

06-21-2007, 05:34 AM

well i came down to my last 2
1.losi xxx4
2.lazer zx-5
which one has more options?
Well the XXX-4 G+ comes with full graphite chassis and titianium turnbuckles etc. so there aren't many option parts out there for it as it is a fully built racer. Only thing you can get is the amain aluminum hubs

Cheers

rustyrevo

06-21-2007, 10:35 AM

ok so i made my final decision.
1. get a losi xxx4
2. bulletproof it
3. put a mm7700kv in it
4. hook up the system to a 5 cell batt
5. beat the heck out of people

sound good?
questions you might ask
1.cc reconmends to put 5 cells to tame my system
2.and i won't fishtail trying to pass some one

T-Maxxahol

06-21-2007, 02:51 PM

I Have a suggestion to the fistailing ...... Throttle control.. : )
also.. turn your exponential down.. or adjust your speedos curve.. those alone will help..too..
Good luck

rustyrevo

06-22-2007, 10:49 PM

what is expondential?

truckzillaman

06-22-2007, 11:29 PM

i don't really want a tamiya car or traxxas hows about a mrc academy sbv2?

That is what I am getting in a couple of months.

T-Maxxahol

06-23-2007, 08:41 AM

exponential is an option most upper end radios have... Its like a throttle curve can be set so the first little of trigger movement on your radio doesnt equate to the same movement of the throttle..

So it would make it less touchy.. Hard to explain..

rustyrevo

06-23-2007, 12:38 PM

you mean epa? cause its not reconmended to lower it

tylerbac

06-23-2007, 01:28 PM

First, I have had the losi xxx and xx. Both are good depending on the type of track. Do not count out BJ4, Kyosho, the new hot bodies, and new Tamiya. For overall durability and speed, the BJ4 is awesome. It costs some change but there is little or no need to add hop ups, they are already included.

If you are really serious about racing, you need a radio that has an exponential adjustment. It can control, by use of a curve, the speed of steering and throttle. For instance, if you are accelerating too hard you can set the radio to gradually add throttle to a certain point then speed it up as time passes. It helps if your finger has a heavy foot. You can also use it if the track is extremely slick and you never want full throttle, like some oval racing, and you can stop it at 80% for example. The same thing can be done on the steering. If it is a little twitchy, the slow the throttle servo down on the first part of the turn in. Excellent tool for helping a car handle a little better.

rustyrevo

06-23-2007, 03:24 PM

okay final descision:im going to get a losi xxx4 and bulletproof it sound good?

jacsac

06-23-2007, 05:20 PM

you mean epa? cause its not reconmended to lower it

I don't know where you are getting your info but end points are just one of the many radio adjustments to give you a better handle on your car. Maybe you read that in a RTR manual?

rustyrevo

06-23-2007, 05:33 PM

well i have a mm7700kv and it says DON"T LOWER EPA JUST GEAR DOWN.
but when i gear down i get glitches at the end of the street even with a high quality fm radio

ElectricThunder

06-23-2007, 10:57 PM

I don't know where you are getting your info but end points are just one of the many radio adjustments to give you a better handle on your car. Maybe you read that in a RTR manual?

When you limit your EPA to say, only 70% of WOT, the ESC builds up more heat due to switching losses (because it works best at 100% throttle). That's why Castle reccomends not to turn your EPA down, but instead to simply gear down (or buy the right motor). You're basically sabotaging your own efficiency...:D

jacsac

06-24-2007, 09:12 PM

When he said end points he didn't specifically say throttle end point. 7700kv is too much. Gearing down is going to create more bottom end torque. You can use the dual rate to lower both steering end points at the same time, maybe fixes some oversteer. Not that it is going to help. I think it is a bad idea going from a Rustler to a 4wd with that much power especially for a beginner. I have seen the same setup run and it is way too much. The guy running it had to turn it down, period. Get a less powerful motor and save yourself a headache.

rustyrevo

06-24-2007, 09:28 PM

but my 7700 is perfectly fine.im just a speed hungry guy

Rufus

06-24-2007, 09:49 PM

okay final descision:im going to get a losi xxx4 and bulletproof it sound good?

NO... Get the Lazer hehe :D

its one of the most solid buggies out there right now and the handling is superb. The stories you hear about lazers breaking are about the ones using the original parts... it took a while for Kyosho to figure it out, listen to the drivers and release new updated parts but now if you get the kit version you should get the bullet proof version of the buggy... even the original plastic has been upgraded to a much stronger carbon composite plastic.

I had an ZX5 so I went through all the necessary upgrades (which weren't alot, but it took a while for them to come out)... Then went for a mamba max 5700 and 3S Lipo... And it was a friggin Missile :)

Now that I've sold it, I'm considering getting another one... I miss that extreme speed...

Don't get me wrong, I like Losi... I love my xxxt stadium truck but I did some research for the buggy and decided Kyosho was giving me a better option.
If you get it you won't regret it...