XRAY 2020 XB8 1/8 Nitro Off-Road Buggy Kit

From XRAY:
All-new 2020.

All-new 4mm longer chassis for improved stability
Longer center rear driveshaft to match the new chassis
All-new front shock tower with 2nd row of lower shock mounting positions for tracks requiring higher corner speed and more stability
All-new lightweight flywheel for faster engagement
Hard clutch springs for improved engagement
Ultra-efficient pre-glued brake pads for improved braking efficiency and consistent braking characteristics
48T spur gear for improved acceleration
Redesigned center upper deck to fit the 48T center spur gear
All-new fuel tank with transient jet for more consistent tank pressure and to ensure constant volume
All-new redesigned IFMAR legal rear wing increases stability in all conditions
Front and rear CV drive shafts included for increased traction and easier maintenance
All-new greased bearings for pinion gears and diffs for increased reliability
+2mm offset wheel hubs for rear suspension
New shock bodies revised to accept new composite shims for improved shock shaft movement
Includes 4-dot front shock springs
Includes hard composite radio box for chassis stiffness and reliability in hotter temperatures, improved precision of servo movement and more space for the receiver battery pack

TQ & World Vice-Champion.

Against the toughest competition in the World of professional level RC racers, Ty Tessmann set overall TQ at the 1/8 World Championship 2018 and finished in a superb 2nd Place position with the XRAY XB8 platform. XRAY’s R&D team with direct input from Ty & Gord Tessmann, Martin Bayer and the full factory team continue to push the performance of the XRAY XB8 towards the very pinnacle of the sport.

XB8 Platform.

Based on the ultra-successful XB8 platform, XRAY proudly presents the new XB8 which incorporates the latest improvements and refinements gathered by the team, race-proven in the highest competition races around the world.

Chassis.

All-new chassis was refined and extended by 4mm to improve stability and handling characteristics. The longer chassis provides more wheelbase choices to maximize performance in every track condition.

The XB8 chassis fits both SOFT and HARD composite radio boxes without chassis modification.

The included HARD radio box increases chassis rigidity and handling consistency. The harder material also retains its stiffness in very high temperature conditions.

The optional SOFT radio box can increase traction as it allows more chassis flex.

The chassis is CNC-machined from 3mm high-quality Swiss 7075 T6 aluminum; strategically machined in low-stress areas and then anodized to make it as light as possible without affecting strength or rigidity.

Shock Towers.

The all-new front shock tower was redesigned to increase the set-up choices using the shock position adjustment. The new front shock tower features two rows of shock positions.

HIGHER shock mounting holes: Increased traction, recommended for low-traction and rough conditions

LOWER shock mounting holes: Increased stability, recommended for high-traction tracks

Drive Shafts.

All-new longer central rear driveshaft to match the longer chassis.

CV drive shafts are now included for both the front and rear suspension to assist with increased traction and for easier maintenance and servicing. The front steering block ball-bearings are updated to accommodate the CV axles.

All XB8 drive shafts are manufactured from world-renowned HUDY Spring Steel, resulting in some of the world‘s thinnest yet most durable drive shafts used in off-road cars. All drive shafts and outdrives are hardened with a proprietary hardening process to provide unsurpassed lifespan & reliability.

The central larger & stronger outdrives feature protective rubber boots, thick 3mm pins, and protective locking rings.

Gear Differential.

Both front and rear differentials are now identical for easier maintenance and servicing.

The Large Volume diffs feature higher capacity cases, stronger diff pins, and large internal gears with more teeth for improved differential action, consistency and overall reliability. The larger volume of the differential and the shape of the gear teeth help reduce oil overheating.

High-Torque Clutch.

The high-torque clutch features a new lightweight flywheel. The flywheel was redesigned with reduced mass for quicker engine response and clutch engagement.

The high-torque clutch provides smooth, continuous power transfer from the engine to the driveline. With the included Hard springs, the clutch engages higher in the RPM range, resulting in more controllable power during acceleration while still maintaining good engine response and performance on jumps.

The Swiss 7075 T6 clutch shoes are small, lightweight, and designed for engagement during the entire travel of the shoe. The shoes are less sensitive to wear and results in improved lifespan.

The smaller diameter allows the flywheel to be more protected after landing large jumps, so there is a reduced chance of accidental engine stoppages.

The extra-tough flywheel nut is machined from Hudy Spring Steel.

The clutch is equipped with hard clutch springs; optional soft and medium springs are also available.

4-Shoe Clutch.

The optional 4-shoe clutch features smaller, lighter internal parts, and the design allows for more balanced clutch bell engagement compared to a traditional 3-shoe design.

The 4-shoe design allows the use of multiple combinations of different shoe hardness and spring tensions for clutch engagement tuning, and even allows for mixed combinations of shoes and springs which gives ultra-fine engagement choices. There are 4 different hardness of shoes and 3 different hardness of springs available. Changing the clutch configuration is very easy thanks to the special assembly screws that hold the shoe and spring.

SOFT clutch setting generates the highest amount of traction and engages earliest.
MEDIUM clutch setting allows more clutch slippage and engages later.
HARD clutch setting engages latest and provides more revs to engine.

Diff Gears & Drivetrain Ratio.

To improve the acceleration of the XB8, the 48T spur gear is included in the kit.

Differential main gears are manufactured from HUDY Gear Steel on a precision manual gear machine. This material was specially formulated and developed for use in gears. All gears are hardened to provide the longest possible lifespan.

A wide range of different gears — spur gear, clutchbell, crown gear — is available for perfect set-up and tailoring to particular racing conditions.

Clutchbells are available in sizes of 12T, 13T, 14T, and 15T.
Spur gears are available in a range of 46T, 47T, and 48T.

Brake System.

To improve the braking efficiency and to ensure constant braking characteristics, the ultra-efficient pre-glued brake pads are now included in the XB8 kit. The center upper plate was redesigned to clear the larger 48T spur gear now included in the kit.

The XB8 features a well-proven, high-performance braking system that is strong, precise, and dependable to make slowing and stopping almost effortless. Coupled with the car’s balanced load distribution, the extraordinary control imparted by the braking system gives you complete confidence as you pitch the car into corners.

The laser-cut, precision flat-ground steel brake disk allows for fade-free braking in conjunction with the special high-grip brake pads installed on the laser-cut brake plates. The brake disk is small, slim, and very light. The precision hand-grinding allows true, wobble-free rotation. Brake inputs are transferred precisely to the brakes thanks to the rigid, high-precision machined brake cams. Both brake disk and brake pads are specially heat-treated for maximum lifespan.

Shocks.

The XB8 shocks were improved with updated shock bodies redesigned to fit the new composite lower shims for improved shock shaft movement.

The shock caps feature 4 bleed holes for easier building and more precise rebound control. The longer shock shafts allow more suspension travel. Multiple shock membrane choices are available to tune the suspension to a wide variety of track conditions.

Oversized big-bore shocks featuring 16.2mm I.D. shock bodies are externally threaded with an adjustable collar for quick & easy spring preload adjustment. The shock bodies are hardcoated in a titanium color and feature a 1-piece alu shock cap.

The XB8 now includes the 4 Dot front springs.

Shock Springs.

The XB8 now includes the 4-dot front shock springs for better stability.

XRAY shock springs are manually measured, selected and matched into pairs to guarantee precisely equal length and damping characteristics.

Radio Box.

The XB8 now includes the Hard composite radio box that is more rigid in higher temperatures to improve the precision of servo movement and has more room for the receiver battery pack.

The optional Soft composite radio box increase chassis flex. This can help improve handling characteristics in some low- to medium-traction conditions.

The 1-piece electronics assembly is very compact and can be quickly & easily removed for servicing and cleaning. It requires removing only a few screws from the bottom of the chassis to remove the entire electronics assembly from the car.

The large, molded radio box features a very clean design and layout that places the weight in key areas for proper balance. The batteries are placed along the front centerline of the chassis, and the lightweight receiver is placed on its side at the rear. The easy-access radio box is mounted on the side of the car and is secured by the fewest possible screws.

Wing.

The XB8 molded wing was completely redesigned. The new shape of the wing increases the stability of the car in all conditions and is legal under the new IFMAR wing specifications.

Made from a strong special composite mixture, the wing was designed to survive severe abusive and extreme crashes while keeping its shape.

The optional Lexan wing has an adjustable position and consists of two pieces: the main wing and the center fin that adds more stability and increases strength of the wing around the mounting area. The rear section of the wing is pre-bent to reinforce the wing and eliminates the use of additional heavy composite wickers. This makes the back of the wing strong while still allowing for wing flex in a crash. The pre-bent rear section of the wing is an important detail to create the desired downforce. Used by the factory team and suggested for all track conditions.

Alu Wheel Hubs.

To accommodate the new geometry, the XB8 now includes rear wheel hubs with a +2mm off-set while the front features the +1mm off-set wheel hubs.

Ultra-lightweight 17mm wheel hex drive hubs are CNC-machined from Swiss 7075 T6 black-coated aluminum.

The alu hex hubs are specially machined to reduce rotating weight while guaranteeing wobble-free wheel mounting.

Ball-Bearings.

A full set of 24 high-speed ball-bearings are used throughout the XB8 drivetrain.

All-new grease lubricated bearings are included for the pinion gears and diffs to increase reliability and lifespan, especially in dusty conditions. The remaining bearings are degreased and oiled with AeroShell® Fluid 12 to reduce drag and maximize driveline efficiency.

Fuel Tank.

The XB8 fuel tank was redesigned to comply with the new rules featuring the transient jet that ensures the internal volume of the fuel tank cannot be changed by pulling the fuel line.

The extra-strong fuel tank features an integrated floating stone filter that ensures that the fuel pickup will always be in the correct orientation, even if your car isn’t. This fuel pickup system will allow fuel to continue to flow to your engine, even while waiting for a marshal to reach your inverted car and put it back on its wheels.

Internal baffles inside the fuel tank ensure that the fuel will always be in the area around the fuel line intake so even during large jumps the fuel will be constantly supplied to the engine.

The fuel tank cap features a very strong spring which ensures the cap will always close after refueling, and the specially designed rubber gasket perfectly seals the fuel tank and ensures no fuel will leak outside.

European Champions.

The XRAY XB8 platform displayed its incredible performance advantage by winning the European Championships in the hands of Bruno Coelho. With fantastic pit-support and technical knowledge from XRAY Factory team Gord & Ty Tessmann the EFRA European Championship title dream was achieved in stunning style for XRAY XB8.

USA Champion.

At one of the world’s most competitive off-road races – the ROAR National Championship, it was XRAY’s Ty Tessmann who brought the first ROAR National Champion title to the XB8 platform. Tested and successfully run in the highest competition races so now you can enjoy the same winning platform.

Team Development.

All the work and refinements on the XB8 were incorporated based on our own experiences and also from the vast majority of feedback from drivers all around the world. New ideas and prototypes were long-term tested by the factory team worldwide to ensure the improvements would work well in all track conditions and tracks in Europe, America, and Asia.
Martin Bayer
XRAY XB8 Designer

Perfection.

Designed in virtual reality using the world’s most sophisticated CAD tools, and manufactured using the world’s best machining and molding machinery, the XB8 achieves a level of perfection in all details that is second to none.

Heritage.

“I designed and hand-made my first off-road cars back in 1986, and they were dominating the races thanks to unbeatable reliability and best performance. Years later in 2004 we have started our first mass production XRAY XB8 platform based on our long-term experiences, knowledge, and R&D expertise gained over decades, taking over the heritage I brought with me

Since the release of the XB8 platform, we have continued our dedicated work to refine the platform annually to bring the latest improvements & innovations to make the XB8 stand out in crowd and take you to the Winners Circle.”
Dipl. Eng. Juraj Hudy
XRAY Chief Designer

Some information shown below may include details from previous kits, and it may vary slightly from current kit specifications.

2-in-1.

The XB8 design allows to accommodate either the C-hub or Pivot Ball suspension. The included Pivot Ball suspension can be easily exchanged for the optional C-hub suspension to accommodate to the particular track conditions.

C-hub Suspension.

#350907 XB8/XB8E FRONT C-HUB SUSPENSION – SET

The optional C-hub is perfectly suited for smooth and short technical tracks & smooth surface conditions. At these track conditions the C-hub suspension generates increased frontward traction as well increased overall traction with enhanced steering.

The C-hub suspension includes lower suspension arm, steering block with Ackermann plate, C-hub, camber link & Ackermann steering plate.

Pivot Ball Suspension.
The included Pivot Ball Suspension (PB) is perfectly suited for high traction conditions as well as rough tracks. At these track conditions, the PB suspension increases vehicle stability for a much easier driving experience.

Compatibility.

With attention to the smallest details and a mandate to simplify servicing of the car, the design of the car features cross-platform compatibility to ensure you can use the same chassis either on the XB8 or XB8E.

Rear Uprights.

The rear uprights were redesigned and feature larger outside 8x16x5mm ball-bearings for increased reliability and life-span. To extend the set-up alternatives, an additional lower roll-center adjustment position was added.

The smart design allows the same upright to be used on both left & right sides. The lower suspension pin on which the rear upright sits features 2 shims for wheelbase adjustment.

The rear uprights feature integrated geometry adjustments including: camber, upper and lower roll center and wheelbase.

Suspension Arms.

To improve the performance and reliability, the Pivot Ball suspension arms and C-hub suspension are molded from a new composite mixture. The rear suspension arms are molded from an all-new, extra-hard composite mixture that makes the car easier to drive. The front lower and upper arms feature a composite mixture change from soft to medium. The front lower C-hub suspension arm is molded from a hard composite mixture.

Chassis.

The rear brace mounting position on the chassis was moved rearwards to improve chassis flex and give increased traction.

The chassis features chamfered front edges which prevents dirt pick-up when the chassis contacts the track. The chamfered edges will not “cut” the dirt, but rather the dirt will slide along the chamfered edges and not get stuck at the front of the chassis.

The side guards were moved 4mm rearwards to ensure that under full throttle and full steering lock the inflated tires will not contact the side guards and can operate freely.

Rear Wing Holder.

The rear wing holder has a super-slim, 1-piece design that has reduced weight and increased strength.

The complete wing mount is 40% lighter than the older version, considerably reducing the weight behind the rear suspension as well significantly reducing the CG. The wing holder has maximum stability while still allowing flex during impacts.

Wing Holder Brace.

To help prevent rear gear box breakage during crash impacts, the rear wing construction features wing holder brace that transfers crash impact energy from the wing and shock tower to the chassis where it is centrally resolved.

The wing holder brace includes an integrated body post as well.

Chassis Braces.

The mounting of the chassis brace to the bulkhead eliminates transfer of energy from the suspension via shock towers to ensure more precise landings and more off-power traction.

The included rear brace is moulded from a medium-stiff composite mixture for improved flex & rigidity, and allows the mounting of optional graphite inserts to reinforce the chassis brace to make it even stiffer for particular track conditions.

Ackermann.

The specially-designed ball studs eliminate steering lock and allow greater steering radius. The integrated backstops ensure that the pivot balls do not disconnect in crashes.

Ackermann is easily adjusted on the machined Swiss 7075 T6 steering plate to ensure highest reliability and strength.

Pivot Balls.

To increase the reliability and free movement of suspension even in the extremely dusty conditions, the pivot ball cups are moulded from a new graphite material that ensures more free movement even when dust builds up.

To reduce weight and lower the CG, the front upper pivot balls are combined with a steel threaded part for maximum strength. The aluminum ball is machined from premium Swiss 7075 T6 and additionally hard coated for extended lifespan.

Socket Head Cup Screws.

To increase lifespan and improve ease of servicing, socket-head cup screws are used instead of regular hex screws. The socket-head cup screws are stronger and more reliable, making it easier to work on the car.

Body.

Long-term tested by Team XRAY, the high-speed XB8 body is now included in the kit. The body gives improved high-speed steering & stability while providing improved rotation in tight corners.

The high-speed body is available optionally also in lightweight version and the Front Cab version of the XB8 is available too with different characteristics.

Side Guards.

Side guards feature a larger bottom radius to give better stability on rough tracks. The radius of the side guards increases the car’s longitudinal flex. The side guards are moulded from a special composite mixture for increased flex that helps generate more traction.

The tough composite side guards protect the car, muffler, and fuel tank from side impacts. The side guards perfectly fit the chassis and seal against dirt.

Optional side guard braces allow for very efficient and easy chassis flex adjustment to adjust the handling of the car to different track conditions. By adding the graphite braces, the entire chassis is reinforced and stiffer flex will improve handling in high-traction conditions.

I.S.S. Suspension Holders.

The aluminum suspension holders feature Integrated Suspension Settings (I.S.S.) which allows for quick & easy suspension geometry setting. To accommodate the longer rear suspension arms, narrower aluminum suspension holders are used.

Using eccentric suspension bushings inserted into aluminum suspension holders – as well as additional suspension shims – the XB8 suspension geometry can be completely adjusted in mere seconds.

Servo Saver.

To ensure servo saver reliability (especially in dusty conditions), the servo saver is moulded from graphite material which is more resistant and efficient in dusty conditions.

The dual-arm steering system is simple yet effective, featuring an integrated easily-adjustable servo saver and Swiss 7075 T6 aluminum steering plate.

Ackermann is easily adjusted by quickly & easily changing steering link mounting positions on the steering plate.

Bump steer is easily adjusted by inserting shims between the steering plate and steering linkage.

Bulkheads.

Diff bulkheads are an important chassis component, housing both the front and rear differentials and providing mounting points for the suspension mounts and shock towers.

The super-strong front & rear bulkheads withstand rigorous impacts and other abuse during racing conditions. The bulkheads have minimized ball-bearing play, resulting in increased gear teeth lifespan and minimized gear stripping.

Upper Deck.

The front upper deck is made of molded composite material to ensure proper flex, resulting in increased traction and improved steering characteristics.

Drivetrain.

The XB8 is a conventional shaft-driven 4WD off-road car featuring:

Front & rear gear differentials with adjustable oil viscosity, featuring 46T crown gears and 14T pinion gears
Central differential with adjustable oil viscosity, featuring 46T spur gear with standard 13T engine clutchbell
Front & rear universal drive shafts, and central CVD drive shafts

Central Diff Gear.

The central differential is an extra-large size for increased reliability and performance. The differential is over 5mm larger, with an increased oil capacity to reduce oil overheating in long runs, helping to keep differential performance as consistent as possible.

Internal Diff Gears.

The 20T and 10T internal diff gears are larger to ensure reliability and reduce diff oil overheating. The greater number of teeth ensures more precise fitment and engagement.

Pressed-steel differential bevel and satellite gears are heat-treated and machined for superior precision and smooth operation.

Diff Outdrives.

Updated diff outdrives accommodate the stronger diff pins. The front longer diff outdrive adapters ensure that the drive shafts will not fall out in extreme crashes at full steering lock.

To reduce rotating weight, the super-lightweight diff outdrives are machined from HUDY Spring Steel which allows unnecessary material to be removed to further reduce weight without affecting durability. The inner portions of the outdrives are additionally hand-ground for maximum precision and fitment into the diff case.

All outdrives are hardened using HUDY’s own special hardening process for extended lifespan and reliability.

Turnbuckles.

To guarantee maximum reliability, all turnbuckles are manufactured from a special blend of HUDY Spring Steel which is specifically formulated for turnbuckles. The turnbuckles have a tougher core, making them very well suited for the steering system and rear upright linkages.

Anti-Roll Bars.

To increase overall traction in all track conditions, the front anti-roll bars were changed to 2.2mm and the rears to 2.4mm.

Anti-roll bars, manufactured from spring steel material, are easily mounted to front & rear diff cases with easy adjustment using the adjustable linkages.

Anti-roll bar wires of different thicknesses are optionally available for fine-tuning.

Center Differential Access.

Access to the center differential is super easy by releasing the upper deck with only 4 screws. The low center diff housing is sized to accommodate optional spur gears, and the stands are lowered to keep the weight as low as possible and to allow smaller central diff gears to be used. The center diff housing stands hold the effective and race-proven brake system.

Servo Brace.

The optional a connecting brace between the throttle servo and the radio box compensates for the softer, more flexible radio box, as well as eliminating throttle servo vibrations to the chassis.

Servo brace link parts:

#362652
#303125
#302630
#302663
#362651
#362280

Engine Mounts.

The engine mounts extend up to the engine front bearing for improved chassis reinforcement in the longitudinal direction, and in jumps this will minimize chassis bending between the clutchbell and spur gear.

The CNC-machined aluminum engine mounts are made from superior-grade, lightweight alloy which helps to dissipate engine heat. The engine mounts are easily adjustable to obtain proper gear mesh.

Shock Pistons.

Ultra-precise shock pistons feature 6-, 8- and 10-hole options. The big-bore pistons are molded from tough, well-proven Delrin® material to provide smooth action and durability. The precision molding production process ensures perfect piston roundness after production, so that the pistons move super-smoothly inside the shock bodies for identical perfect action in all four shocks.

Silicone Oils.

HUDY Exclusive Silicone Oils are manufactured in Europe and each batch is laboratory tested and calibrated to ensure the highest possible consistency and quality from batch to batch. Based on the industry-standard cSt rating, the new line of oils will be easy to identify, adjust, and feel.

When following any set-up sheets by XRAY or XRAY team drivers, you can be sure that the oils you will get for your car are exactly same as those used by the factory racing team, thus ensuring very exacting set-ups and handling.

Graphite Grease.

The XB8 includes premium HUDY Graphite Grease – a high-performance, advanced-technology semi-fluid lubricant which incorporates both extreme pressure additives and finely-dispersed graphite for load carrying. HUDY Graphite Grease is intended primarily for the lubrication of rotating parts and loaded gears. In addition to providing outstanding load carrying, it is formulated to have excellent adhesion and resistance from “flinging off” under extreme conditions. HUDY Graphite Grease reduces wear and increases parts life.

Click here for more information of the full HUDY Grease range

Air Filter.

To minimize the dust getting into the air filter, the air filter cover mounting positions were modified and improved.

The smooth-flowing, efficient air filter is made from two parts. Air filter oil is included as standard. The universal rubber elbow allows fitment to most standard 1/8 buggy engines.

Adjustment Possibilities.

The XB8 features fully-adjustable front and rear suspension geometry. For quick & easy adjustment, we recommend using set-up tools and accessories from HUDY, the world leader of RC tools.

Chassis Balance.

The chassis design focuses on balanced weight distribution and weight transfer. Centerline holes are pre-drilled for easy balancing with the HUDY Chassis Balancing Tool #107880.

HUDY Set-Up Book.

The XB8 is one of the most adjustable off-road cars in the world. Whether you are a hardcore racing enthusiast or a club-level sportsman, you can very easily adjust the XB8 to suit your driving style, track type, and track conditions.

To fully comprehend the set-up possibilities of the XB8, we highly recommend the HUDY Set-up Book which is loaded with over 50 pages of high-quality pictures and easy-to-understand RC car set-up explanations. The HUDY Set-up book will teach you many set-up tips & tricks to help improve your set-up skills, ultimately translating into improved racing performance with your XB8. The HUDY Set-up Book is available for download exclusively at www.hudy.net

Instruction Manual.

XRAY Instruction Manuals have become the industry standard, and are simply the best manuals you will ever get with an RC model car. Whether you are a first-time builder or an experienced racer, all instructions are straight-forward and easy to understand. The full-color Instruction Manual contains large 3D illustrations that show all assembly details in the easiest and most comprehensive manner.

VIP Customer Treatment.

Owning an XRAY model racing car is an experience unto itself. Not only will you own the most premium luxury model racing car in the world, but you will also become a member of the prestigious family of XRAY owners with direct support and service from the XRAY factory. XRAY brings you the most up-to-date RC website on the Internet, with daily racing news, and the latest product developments.

If you have any questions, problems or comments, you can ask the XRAY Support Team or any XRAY Factory Team Driver on the XRAY Support Forum. You can even upload your own set-up sheets or download from the thousands of different set-up sheets available from around the world at the exclusive XRAY Virtual Set-up Sheet Database. And that is only the start of the VIP treatment you get by joining Team XRAY.

Visit TeamXRAY.com
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