I'm planning to enter a vintage race meet later in the summer and have decided the car I want to enter into the pre '88 class is an XLS. I used to race one with a few mods back in the day, but really didn't know what I was doing then, so now I want to build one up with as many period mods as I can. I have a huge stock of parts, so have most of what I need, but there are a few bits I'm still looking for.
Proposed Spec:
1) GRP Repro of the standard lower chassis to be made using my one good chassis as a template. Cut slots where the battery clamps go so velcro straps can be used as I did back in the day.
2) Try to get a repro Parma Fat Cat shell and undertray, otherwise run standard XLS. Penguin had some on Ebay last year, so I've sent a message in hop...
3) Polish up transmission side plates. Heat sink to be fitted to motor mount. Alloy eccentrics.
4) MMS layshaft, front and rear diffs with alloy outdrives.
5) Wasp orange hi torque drivebelts.
6) Wasp slipper with 68dp tufnol spur for authentic whine.
7) Front driveshafts mounted with the outer sleeve on the wheel end, so they can easily be swapped between normal or one-ways.
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
9) GRP 'U' plate mounted on top of front gearbox to strengthen the open front of top deck.
10) Long screws all the way through the front transmission housing, bolted on top.
11) GRP spacer plates used behind the front transmission housing for belt tensioning.
12) Drill blanks to be threaded both ends and used to mount rear lower wishbone brackets through transmission.
13) Front and rear ARBs to be made.
14) New wire wing mount to be made.
15) New 'cheeshead' screws and nylocs throughout.
16)'Infill strips' made to sit in recess of undertray to prevent cracking around screw holes. (Again, stolen from Kaszal's Procat thread, but a great idea to stop the undertray splitting along the screw holes like it always did)
17) Shocks to be refurbished Schumacher originals unless I can find a pair of Kyosho gold fronts - or the holy grail full set of Brimod shocks. Original Schumacher silver springs to be used - will have to measure stiffness and arrange into matching pairs.
18) Original (black unfortunately) wheels with either full spike or block tyres. Have one pair of rear wheels and wide and narrow front wheels to choose from. Won't need to glue tyres, so easily swappable.
19) 11triple brushed motor
20) Speedmaster ESC (assuming it works)
21) Futaba 27mhz radio gear.
22) New nimh stick pack, mounted sideways.
Items I need/really want:
1) T079 upper rear suspension arm mounts - BEEN LOOKING FOR OVER A YEAR. SOMEBODY HELP!!!
2) Ballraced steering assembly.
3) Alloy layshaft bearing holders.
4) Buds orange long drive belt.
5) Belt covers (can get from TBG).
6) Alloy front and rear inner transmission housings would be lovely, but surely overkill for a (gentle) racer...
So as you can see I have most of what I need, but I really, really need help getting those T079 parts. I don't want to fit Procat rear suspension (as I had BITD) as it won't be authentic pre'88. As a last resort I can make some I guess.
Are there any great mods from BITD that I have missed, or any specific recommendations anyone can make? I'd love to make something really special if possible.
Here's what I used to race (after breaking the XLS chassis and replacing with a Procat one):
![Image](https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/29620_361413613948852_1038225172_n.jpg?oh=58533de18de051efec7da7e49f9f3230&oe=56595477)
Cheers!
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)