My "upgrades" to my Schumacher Cat - were to replace the Phillips screws with hex head screws as much as possible. I realized that Team Associated did a really smart thing by using all hex head external thread fasteners in their B6.
Well, I think I managed to (back in the day) do the same on my XLS, though the upgraded gearbox parts were made of delrin back then, and of course the chassis elements were anodised red "worlds edition" jobbies, gifted to me by one of the teams. Still have it all on the XLS and it does look a bit swish, even if I don't really like red. Wouldn't change a thing, as it won me many championships, and the memories are worth it's weight in gold. That and my worlds RC10 are probably my favourite cars for memories.
Excellent video👍I didn't bother with the pro transmission and I ran brushless and I've had no problem with at all 🤷♂️ (although my one is now on the shelf being a queen with a retro schumacher brushed motor in it) and I didn't bother soldering the roll bars ball connectors I just used tamiya hotshot ball connectors from its roll bar because then you can adjust its resistance!
That was literally the case with the classic RC10 in the late 80's. There was an aftermarket upgrade for every single part of the car. You could theoretically make an entire car from only RC10 aftermarket parts.
Fantastic build! I do love to customise my RC vehicles and the more metal and carbon fibre parts, the better! It just gets a little crazy when the upgrade parts exceed the cost of the original kit but it has to be done!
Although the overall build of the CAT XLS is a bit more complex than the old Tamiya's of the same era you can tell the cars were more race focused because certain track side tasks are much easier. For example the ball diffs which can be tightened without any disassembly and the exposed pinion and spur gears which make it easy to adjust gear ratios and mesh. The velcro fastened body and undertray also made it easy to get access to the battery and eletronics. The Procat added some additional improvements like the spur gears that were just held on with an o ring and the front belt tension adjustment screws (with the holes in the bumper as standard).
I used to race an XLS in 1988. It was stolen from me and I’ve always wanted another one but they were too expensive. My best upgrade was a replacement bumper. It was grey and very rounded but seemed indestructible!
I would also love to know what these are. I have the Muzoom Models ball raced steering but I’ve heard the 3D printed arms are a little fragile so this could be the answer.
my mate had one of these and had something from tandy at the time, i did have a smashed up tamyia rough rider that my brother left at the house i later restored
Cracking build Gav, i seen pics of the body your going to use and agree. Its stunning 👌 the alloy bearing holders could be from kevin finchurch, ive had a few sets off him mainly for the cars i’ll be running the most, but allso in my ultimate builds 😎 would love to know where the alloy bell cranks came from. Think my xls and procat would benefit from them 👍
Wish they sale the rear shocks assembled and not in hard to get pieces....mine is the original 1989 cat xls...I got Traxxas rear shocks on mine, I think put rear shocks on a Tamiya fox and it got thrown away....stupid vintage crap hard to get parts
Gavin hey mate love the channel. Always watch always 👍. I’m a bit of a noob so can you explain to me the reason behind the “shelf queen”? Is it kind of an older fellow thing (not that I have room to talk being 47) or is it a “collection” thing ? Because I love building kits and upgrading cars but I always run them Some less than others but I always want to see how they perform Not a big deal but I’d like to know what a pro like you thinks about it. Thanks again! 👍
Hi Nathan, good question. Well, shelf queen collectors get more pleasure out of having an RC in as close to perfect condition as possible. This is a bit like box collectors who really enjoy the perfect state of a kit untouched as new, but with a shelf queen person, the enjoyment comes from the build process and the completed build presented on a shelf. For me personally a box kit is just a bunch of plastic parts, and the car doesn’t become something until it’s built. I like to run shelf queens but only now and again on the grass in the dry but I have other RC that are just for driving. XMAXX, TRX4, Cougar, Fantom and a few others. RTR stuff is normally run. Everyone is different and as long as you are enjoying your RC, don’t let anyone tell you it’s wrong or right what you do. I’m not a full on basher or box collector but I appreciate that it makes others happy and that’s cool. 👍🏻👍🏻
Please share the total money spent Gavin. I built a full carbon version from scratch (no kit) and it was £1311 believe it or not as I had to buy all the screw kits, plastics, pivot pins, shock sets, set screws etc. I took me 12 weeks to gather and build it after it was discontinued. Such an expensive build, with the receipts but not box. Cool video bud and a very, very cool RC car to have in an already great collection!! Thumbs way up!!
Right Gavin I am a big lover of schumacher but not even I went that crazy....however it looks the mutts nuts ,sell me it please even though I have a bog standard one.lol
On a similar note I just shelled out £45 for the Tamiya ball diff for my Sand Scorcher (part no. 54897). I have to say it was actually worth the price, the components are beautifully machined and finished. Just a shame you can't see it when it's installed...
You didn't give us a price!! You know, we can hit replay and add it on a calculator or just pen and paper...... I love my Optimas and old Custom Works Dominator chain drive cars. This upgrade lust, er list makes me wander if you should just buy the upgrade list and see about the suspension arms and remaining misc. parts from the original kit as replacement parts and not purchase the kit at all.
I enjoy these hop up series of yours the best!
My "upgrades" to my Schumacher Cat - were to replace the Phillips screws with hex head screws as much as possible.
I realized that Team Associated did a really smart thing by using all hex head external thread fasteners in their B6.
Brilliant video
Your cat looks great now. All that alloy and carbon fiber make it look good.
Thanks. It will be back on the show as it needs painting and then a run
Can't wait to see a Vs with the other pro cat .
The bearing holders you have are from bora at custom rc parts. I have them on my cougar.
Well, I think I managed to (back in the day) do the same on my XLS, though the upgraded gearbox parts were made of delrin back then, and of course the chassis elements were anodised red "worlds edition" jobbies, gifted to me by one of the teams. Still have it all on the XLS and it does look a bit swish, even if I don't really like red. Wouldn't change a thing, as it won me many championships, and the memories are worth it's weight in gold. That and my worlds RC10 are probably my favourite cars for memories.
Fantastic build, I can see that a lot if time and money went into this.......definitely needs to be an ultimate shelf queen. Lovely car!!
hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, finally the vid i've been waiting for. fitting all the XLS upgrades!
I know, super late this one. It’s been a year.
First rule of advertising. If it’s good, steal it! 🤪
Excellent video👍I didn't bother with the pro transmission and I ran brushless and I've had no problem with at all 🤷♂️ (although my one is now on the shelf being a queen with a retro schumacher brushed motor in it) and I didn't bother soldering the roll bars ball connectors I just used tamiya hotshot ball connectors from its roll bar because then you can adjust its resistance!
Where did you get your top belt cover from?
With all the bits left over you could build another one 👍
That was literally the case with the classic RC10 in the late 80's. There was an aftermarket upgrade for every single part of the car. You could theoretically make an entire car from only RC10 aftermarket parts.
@@perfectsplit5515 all part of the fun 😁
Fantastic build! I do love to customise my RC vehicles and the more metal and carbon fibre parts, the better! It just gets a little crazy when the upgrade parts exceed the cost of the original kit but it has to be done!
Hi Gav! Looks amazing, do you have a full upgrade parts list anywhere please? Thanks Grant, hope things are going great 😊👍
Loved the tinkering,thats what made "your" car better than the next guys.
Although the overall build of the CAT XLS is a bit more complex than the old Tamiya's of the same era you can tell the cars were more race focused because certain track side tasks are much easier. For example the ball diffs which can be tightened without any disassembly and the exposed pinion and spur gears which make it easy to adjust gear ratios and mesh. The velcro fastened body and undertray also made it easy to get access to the battery and eletronics. The Procat added some additional improvements like the spur gears that were just held on with an o ring and the front belt tension adjustment screws (with the holes in the bumper as standard).
"Reefs Raw" servo. Is what ur looking for👍 Cool build!!
I have two in my Clod. Look yes it would be perfect but a little over powered lol.
I'm with you on the look of the chassis colours!! It looks so sleek!! 👍🏻
Lovely Build Gav 🤑
Thanks 👍🏻👍🏻
I used to race an XLS in 1988. It was stolen from me and I’ve always wanted another one but they were too expensive. My best upgrade was a replacement bumper. It was grey and very rounded but seemed indestructible!
And if I had one now I’d run it every day!
Sorry to hear you had it stolen.
beautifull...
All these goodies should make it quite the performer!
Or too valuable to use / pointless LOL ;)
@@RCKickschannel 👍🏻
You mention the muzzoom steering kit and then you replaced with upgraded metal parts also. Did those come from muzzoom or elsewhere? Thanks
Elsewhere. Sorry I can’t remember who sold them now as it’s been so long.
Very nice would love one of these would the wheels fit the cougar
Yes 👍🏻
@@RCKickschannel excellent 👌🏻
Gavin - What size tires were included with this kit? Are they the standard 2.2" buggy tires?
Love the paint scheme copy 👍👍👍 let me know if you decide to move it on 😉
I also put every Schumacher upgrade on my XLS when I built it a couple of years ago, I must be mad😂😂
100% yep! Hehehe
Your not mad lol 😁👍🏼
Sick.
Love the metal steering arms, do you remember where you got them from please?
No sorry I forgot.
I would also love to know what these are. I have the Muzoom Models ball raced steering but I’ve heard the 3D printed arms are a little fragile so this could be the answer.
my mate had one of these and had something from tandy at the time, i did have a smashed up tamyia rough rider that my brother left at the house i later restored
Love all the hop ups, but did you just changed every single thing on this build? Feels like a lot of money.
I'd like to see this rig hit the track.
Cracking build Gav, i seen pics of the body your going to use and agree. Its stunning 👌 the alloy bearing holders could be from kevin finchurch, ive had a few sets off him mainly for the cars i’ll be running the most, but allso in my ultimate builds 😎 would love to know where the alloy bell cranks came from. Think my xls and procat would benefit from them 👍
Never had one but this gem is pretty awesome 👌👍
You are da Man Gavin!!
I love this ☺️💕 how can i help? Is there a Patreon?
Wish they sale the rear shocks assembled and not in hard to get pieces....mine is the original 1989 cat xls...I got Traxxas rear shocks on mine, I think put rear shocks on a Tamiya fox and it got thrown away....stupid vintage crap hard to get parts
DUDE SWEET
Thanks
Great video, Gavin - long anticipated! The bearing houses are from Custom RC Parts, I think.
Cool thanks for the info, I’ve been racking my brain.
Oh and cracking content...put me in the mood to restore my 3 procats.couls swap you one of those if you fancy
Gavin hey mate love the channel. Always watch always 👍. I’m a bit of a noob so can you explain to me the reason behind the “shelf queen”? Is it kind of an older fellow thing (not that I have room to talk being 47) or is it a “collection” thing ? Because I love building kits and upgrading cars but I always run them Some less than others but I always want to see how they perform Not a big deal but I’d like to know what a pro like you thinks about it. Thanks again! 👍
Hi Nathan, good question. Well, shelf queen collectors get more pleasure out of having an RC in as close to perfect condition as possible. This is a bit like box collectors who really enjoy the perfect state of a kit untouched as new, but with a shelf queen person, the enjoyment comes from the build process and the completed build presented on a shelf. For me personally a box kit is just a bunch of plastic parts, and the car doesn’t become something until it’s built. I like to run shelf queens but only now and again on the grass in the dry but I have other RC that are just for driving. XMAXX, TRX4, Cougar, Fantom and a few others. RTR stuff is normally run. Everyone is different and as long as you are enjoying your RC, don’t let anyone tell you it’s wrong or right what you do. I’m not a full on basher or box collector but I appreciate that it makes others happy and that’s cool. 👍🏻👍🏻
Please share the total money spent Gavin. I built a full carbon version from scratch (no kit) and it was £1311 believe it or not as I had to buy all the screw kits, plastics, pivot pins, shock sets, set screws etc. I took me 12 weeks to gather and build it after it was discontinued. Such an expensive build, with the receipts but not box. Cool video bud and a very, very cool RC car to have in an already great collection!! Thumbs way up!!
I did a video about a year ago on the total prices. th-cam.com/video/F7k_2Q6xnd0/w-d-xo.html
Looks awesome but wow expensive 👍
Right Gavin I am a big lover of schumacher but not even I went that crazy....however it looks the mutts nuts ,sell me it please even though I have a bog standard one.lol
LOL this one is staying in the collection.
As an adult if you're not being financially irresponsible, are you really even in the RC hobby? lol, I fully support this madness.
LOL 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
yes i was first to like!!
On a similar note I just shelled out £45 for the Tamiya ball diff for my Sand Scorcher (part no. 54897). I have to say it was actually worth the price, the components are beautifully machined and finished. Just a shame you can't see it when it's installed...
LOL I know that feeling. I put an MIP ball diff in a Monster Beatle.
I am so glad I didnt get this kit lol=)
Your fingers thank you lol. Mine have taking a good 24h+ to recover lol.
You didn't give us a price!!
You know, we can hit replay and add it on a calculator or just pen and paper......
I love my Optimas and old Custom Works Dominator chain drive cars. This upgrade lust, er list makes me wander if you should just buy the upgrade list and see about the suspension arms and remaining misc. parts from the original kit as replacement parts and not purchase the kit at all.