TLR 8IGHT-X 2.0 Race Kit Manual

Setup Guide 8IGHT-X/E 2.0
Overview
It is time to start making some setup adjustments to the TLR 8ight-X/E 2.0! Before making
changes, there are a few decisions to make.
• Tires - Tires have a tremendous impact on performance. Before making changes to
chassis setup, observe fast cars at the track and try to obtain information about the tire
tread, compound, and inserts being used.
• Feel – Setup adjustment outcomes will vary based on the driver’s personal “feel”.
• One at a Time - It is suggested to only make one setup change at a time. If the change
does not improve the handling, return to the previous position and try a different
change.
• Recording - It is a great idea to record setup changes by recording change and the
result observed. Even if the change was not a positive, it can aid future setup decisions.
• The normal/typical setting suggested for all setup options is the setting listed on the kit
setup sheet, included in this instruction manual.
• Track Ready – Whenever checking any of the table top settings (camber, toe, ride
height, etc.), do so with the car track ready, including the body, wing, tires, wheels, and
battery pack or half tank of fuel.
• Kit Setup - The Team Losi Racing development team put in time to develop the kit
setup. After making some changes, if the “handle” or “feel” of the vehicle becomes
poor, return to the kit setup. Kit setups are posted to www.TLRacing.com.
• Optional Setups - Other setups that have worked well for the race team are posted to
www.TLRacing.com. When trying any setup, make sure to try the setup in its entirety.
Each setup item works together to make a well driving vehicle. If only parts of a setup
are used, it likely will not produce the desired results.
• Race Team – If a TLR team driver is present at the local track, and help is need – ask
them.
Please check the Team Losi Racing web site and the Team Losi Racing blog periodically
to fi nd new setup information. There are many ways to set up a car. The results of setup
changes can be different based on many factors including driving style, track conditions,
and traction levels. Try things and fi nd a setup that works well.
Pre-Run Checklist
• ESC controls motor as it should or Engine is tuned correctly.
• Battery pack or receiver pack is charged.
• Droop measurement is set as desired.
• Ride height is set as desired.
Check each of these before each run. If of these settings has changed drastically, it is a
sign something is wrong. For example, if ride height is set to 27mm Front, 27mm Rear and
it has been correct fi ve times, then when check again it is 25mm F/27mm R, something
is wrong. Check the vehicle to be sure there is not a bent shock shaft or hinge pin, and
nothing else is broken or damaged.
Power and Drivetrain Settings
Engine Tuning
Follow the engine manufacturer’s instructions and suggested settings.
General Notes:
• Turning the needle valve clockwise, the fuel mixture becomes leaner, meaning the
engine will draw less fuel. A leaner mix will run hotter engine temperatures and have
better fuel mileage.
• Turning the needle value counterclockwise, the fuel mixture becomes richer, meaning
the engine will draw more fuel. A richer mix will run cooler engine temperatures and
have worse fuel mileage.
• The high speed needle affects the fuel mixture from mid to full throttle. The low speed
needle affects the fuel mixture from idle to low throttle.
To Stop the Engine
There are two ways to stop a nitro engine.
• Plug the exhaust pipe.
• Stop the fl ywheel, by using a wrench or plastic handled tool.
Once the engine is stopped, move the fl ywheel to move the piston away from top dead
center (TDC) while it cools. TDC is the tightest point of the engine’s compression. This will
help the engine last longer by not prematurely diminishing engine compression.
ESC Tuning
Follow the ESC manufacturer’s instructions and suggested settings.
General Notes:
• For the fi rst few runs, monitor the temperature of your ESC and motor to ensure they
are staying cool enough
• Many ESCs will have a type of punch or torque setting which you will want to adjust
to your liking
• Make sure to adjust your brakes down to the level needed as ESCs can provide near
instant brakes and that is hard to drive and also hard on the drive train.
The Battery
The battery or receiver battery is an important part of electric-powered and nitro-powered
vehicles. A battery with low voltage can cause loss of vehicle control and/or weak and
slowed throttle and steering response. Battery life with depend on motor and servo used
and battery ratings. Always fully charge the battery to start each run. Make sure your
battery is not swollen and is balanced properly.
Clutch
Build Tips:
• Use steel wool or fi ne sandpaper to clean the inner surface of the clutch bell.
• Clean the inside of the clutch bell with nitro cleaner to remove all oil and debris.
• It is recommended to use nitro cleaner to spray the grease out of the inner clutch
bearing (5x13x4mm). If it is not cleaned out, the grease may move into the clutch
assembly.
• Do NOT use thread-lock on the clutch pins.
• Check for proper clutch shoe movement by pulling out each installed clutch shoe 1mm
and allow it to snap back into place.
• Ensure clutch bell has .25 to .50mm of movement on the crank shaft and spins freely.
• Break-in – hold vehicle fi rmly down (all four tires and chassis plate on ground), apply ½
throttle for two seconds. Lift vehicle clear out engine. Repeat for a total of three times.
Clutch Springs:
• 8IGHT Clutch Springs, Soft to Stiff: Black, Green, Gold, Silver
• Softer springs - engage at a lower RPM, smoother power, easier to drive, decreases
wheel spin.
• Stiffer springs - engage at a higher RPM, hit harder, feels like more bottom end, good
for high traction or hard to clear jumps.
• If the engine lacks low end power, stiff springs should help. If the springs are too stiff,
the clutch may slip more.
Clutch Shoes:
• 8IGHT Clutch Shoes, Least Grab to Most: Composite, Silver Aluminum, Blue Aluminum
• Two composite and two blue aluminum shoes works best for most tracks.
• Four composite shoes allow more slip for smoother acceleration, and work best for
loose, rough tracks without hard to clear jumps.
• Four blue aluminum shoes provide the most punch but is not good for slick or rough
tracks.
• Silver Long-Wear aluminum shoes (LOSA9109) fall between composite and blue shoes.
They slip more than blue aluminum shoes but less than composite shoes.
Gearing
• Gearing Up – installing a larger pinion/clutch bell or smaller spur gear decreases
bottom end and increases top end speed. Better for larger, sweeping tracks.
• Gearing Down - installing a smaller pinion/clutch bell or larger spur increases bottom
end and reduces top end speed. Better for clearing jumps (when wheel spin is not the
issue).
• Kit gearing for the 8IGHT-XE 2.0 is no pinion and a 47 tooth spur gear, ?/47. Different
options available are as below.
• Pinions – 15, 16, 17, 18
• Spur Gears – 46, 47, 48
• Kit gearing for the 8IGHT-X 2.0 is a 13 tooth clutch bell and a 47 tooth spur gear,
13/47. Different options available are as below.
• Clutch Bells – 12, 13, 14
• Spur Gears – 46, 47, 48
Fuel Tank
Fuel tanks include a preinstalled fuel tank insert to meet ROAR and IFMAR 125cc fuel
capacity rules. The insert can be modifi ed to push closer to the 125cc limit at the racer’s
discretion. When racing where these rules are not applied, remove the insert for an
additional 3cc and longer run times.
An EFRA Fuel Kit is also included with the vehicle and should be used at all EFRA races.
The EFRA Fuel Kit ensures the fuel line and clunk do not come out of the tank, illegally
increasing fuel volume.
Brake Setup
Brake bias is adjusted easily using the two red thumb screws. The top thumb screw
controls front brake and the bottom thumb screw controls rear brake.
• Less Front Brake, More Rear Brake – increases vehicle rotation.
• More Front Brake, Less Rear Brake – increases stability under braking.
Differential Oils
Front Oil:
• Thinner - increases steering corner entry. If oil is too thin, steering will be grabby and
inconsistent.
• Thicker - increases off-power stability and on-power steering, especially corner exit.
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