Spark Spark XB6 Aluminum upgrades

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Why I said something I didn’t know that, a local store has metric ( so called grade 8 ) figured I would ask before just replacing. Yes I can’t stand them either thankfully Jets don’t use them very much anymore
 
I’ve replaced some screws but no idea what grade they are. Good set of hex drivers help, can save you a lot headaches with stripped/rounded out screws. MIP tools are the go too for most people but not the cheapest but you’ll not need to buy another set unlike cheaper ones which round out. Buy once cry once

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I ended up buying Tynamite set for RC hardened steel with a ratchet style driver that I’m not overly crazy about but the drivers so far so good. Also comes with thin walled nut drivers
 
Take a look at the Wera Hex plus
I ended up buying Tynamite set for RC hardened steel with a ratchet style driver that I’m not overly crazy about but the drivers so far so good. Also comes with thin walled nut drivers
Wera hex plus are my go-to drivers they are awesome especially for m2.5 and m2. The modified hex profile really helps keep the socket from rounding out. They aren't too expensive either
 
Take a look at the Wera Hex plus

Wera hex plus are my go-to drivers they are awesome especially for m2.5 and m2. The modified hex profile really helps keep the socket from rounding out. They aren't too expensive either
I have bought MIP and the Wera 354 drivers. I bought the Wera 354 set as my ‘take with my during bashing’ set, but was impressed with the quality. Only thing is the grip is a bit smaller than MIP, so for bigger hands the MIP has a better grip.
Pricewise I can buy 4 Wera’s for 1 MIP screwdriver!
 
I thought of that but there are two standards for metric threads on large bolts "fine" and coarse and coarse is the standard while fine is "special use". I'm fairly certain wheel hexes are using the "fine" thread, commodity m10 nylock nuts may not fit. Even if they do I don't think there would be enough thread sticking out the tire to engage with the nylon locking ring. Remember that wheel nuts are low profile. On the other hand if they do fit then you could use a steel jam nut (which are half the height of a standard nut and about the same as a wheel nut) which would hold up to using threadlock better than an aluminum nut i.e. it' won't deform or round off when you go to remove it. Just be sure to not over tighten it.
Good call on the thread pitch, would have to measure that first. I do feel like I have enough threads sticking out on mine to fit a lock nut on there though, but I don't really have problems because I use 4s. I don't understand why aluminium wheel nuts is the standard. The weight reduction doesn't feel worth it here for bashers. You could get galvanic corrosion though if the wheel hex is left aluminium, and changing that to steel might have a bigger impact on weight. So maybe that's why. I don't know if there are compatible steels and aluminiums that could be used here.
 
All parts are out for delivery installed the new steering knuckle, new 18 pinion ( I have 15-19 coming ) may be high but all my local shop had in stock. Also replaced all those button heads in critical areas, seen a bunch replace the fixed steering arm with an adjustable that I like. Replaced the non serated wheel nuts with a new set until the covered ones arrive. You guys have suggestions there as well??

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On an 18t it’s going to get spicy you’re gonna need a fan/heatsink for the motor. 18t your gonna be hitting approx 70mph+, so you will probably be needing new tires sooner than later, chance you might blow them of the rim on an 18t
 
Good call on the thread pitch, would have to measure that first. I do feel like I have enough threads sticking out on mine to fit a lock nut on there though, but I don't really have problems because I use 4s. I don't understand why aluminium wheel nuts is the standard. The weight reduction doesn't feel worth it here for bashers. You could get galvanic corrosion though if the wheel hex is left aluminium, and changing that to steel might have a bigger impact on weight. So maybe that's why. I don't know if there are compatible steels and aluminiums that could be used here.
You could literally just take a standard M10 steel bolt chuck it on a lathe and drill a 8mm hole down the center then another 3mm hole for the pin crosswise though the head as well as an M4 tapped hole for a setscrew (I hate how wheel hexes wobble slightly and a setscrew would fix that) and you have a steel wheel hex. It's so easy to manufacture I'm surprised that nobody has.
 
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You could literally just take a standard M10 steel bolt chuck it on a lathe and drill a 8mm hole down the center then another 3mm hole for the pin crosswise though the head as well as an M4 tapped hole for a setscrew (I hate how wheel hexes wobble slightly and a setscrew would fix that) and you have a steel wheel hex. It's so easy to manufacture I'm surprised that nobody has.
I have a full machining set up full sized lathe I usually thread all my own



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On an 18t it’s going to get spicy you’re gonna need a fan/heatsink for the motor. 18t your gonna be hitting approx 70mph+, so you will probably be needing new tires sooner than later, chance you might blow them of the rim on an 18t
I have 14-17 coming should be here I hope tomorrow so maybe a 14-15 would be better
 
I'm not sure AliExpress steel ratings are completely trustable. They are probably still fine, I also get most of my hardware from there. I just take gradings with a grain of salt, and expect things like a little bit of lead in brass parts (western companies do that too in some cases, on AliExpress it is likely though).

I'm probably going to use a flat head for the droop screws and file a slight dome in it.
Whoops that belongs in a different thread.
 
I'm not sure AliExpress steel ratings are completely trustable. They are probably still fine, I also get most of my hardware from there. I just take gradings with a grain of salt, and expect things like a little bit of lead in brass parts (western companies do that too in some cases, on AliExpress it is likely though).

I'm probably going to use a flat head for the droop screws and file a slight dome in it.
Whoops that belongs in a different thread.
I have some ideas kinda ugly weather here today I’ll look at some things and see what I can do
 
I'm not sure AliExpress steel ratings are completely trustable. They are probably still fine, I also get most of my hardware from there. I just take gradings with a grain of salt, and expect things like a little bit of lead in brass parts (western companies do that too in some cases, on AliExpress it is likely though).

I'm probably going to use a flat head for the droop screws and file a slight dome in it.
Whoops that belongs in a different thread.
Compare how the hex socket holds up compared to a known 12.9 brand like YFS if the wear is similar it's ok. The difference between wear on a 10.9 and 12.9 is pretty obvious. Almost all commodity screws are now made in either China or Taiwan.
 
My local Ace Harware keeps them in stock and the one hobby shop. There very small so I try to buy all I can from them
 
I'm not sure AliExpress steel ratings are completely trustable. They are probably still fine, I also get most of my hardware from there. I just take gradings with a grain of salt, and expect things like a little bit of lead in brass parts (western companies do that too in some cases, on AliExpress it is likely though).

I'm probably going to use a flat head for the droop screws and file a slight dome in it.
Whoops that belongs in a different thread.
Turns out they are HUA branded screws the M4 cap heads that came with my order have "HUA" stamped on the head. I have seen these in some helicopter kits. In one bag of M4s the stamping is a little less clear but that is normal because the text details in the dies wear out faster than the rest of the die with 12.9 screws some batches of YFS screws are also like this. The black finish on these screws is really nice it may be black nickel rather than black oxide (it's glossy not matte)

Their website is http://en.hua-hz.com/ I had to use Brave to connect to it because Firefox would complain about an expired security certificate and refuse to connect. Brave is smart enough to give you a "not secure" warning the URL bar and then not trust anything on the website.

Going off the wholesale price list 40 M3x10 screws cost about 20 cents so the prices from the reseller seem about right.

In theory they could be counterfeit but I doubt anyone would bother counterfeiting a cheap commodity brand.
 
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Finished up parts for the Spark, ordered Green tapered screw washers ( pimp stuff ) the ADU brace everyone has suggested, the Swiss 7075 front and rear control arm brackets then finally the Kagama front and rear bumpers. Had seen a few reviews of others installing them and my aluminum chassis is super scratched already thought those bumpers would help protect things a little more. The new wheel/tire sets arrive tomorrow, I’ve seen the aluminum servo saver just wondering you alls thoughts there. Lastly is there anything else yall can think of I should do ( 7075 steering rack already installed ) 7075 aluminum diffs also. Again thanks for all the help guys
 
Finished up parts for the Spark, ordered Green tapered screw washers ( pimp stuff ) the ADU brace everyone has suggested, the Swiss 7075 front and rear control arm brackets then finally the Kagama front and rear bumpers. Had seen a few reviews of others installing them and my aluminum chassis is super scratched already thought those bumpers would help protect things a little more. The new wheel/tire sets arrive tomorrow, I’ve seen the aluminum servo saver just wondering you alls thoughts there. Lastly is there anything else yall can think of I should do ( 7075 steering rack already installed ) 7075 aluminum diffs also. Again thanks for all the help guys
How about a chassis skin?

https://darksidestudioarts.com/

The Spark chassis isn't specifically listed but it uses the same one as a the Python Radix and Dementor so just pick the skin for those and it will fit.

Also these: https://www.basherskinz.com/collections/spark
 
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We’ll crazy again out playing with the Spark and guess what happened? Left front drove shaft is no where to be found!! No hard anything just went out to do a few small jumps, thankfully the Kagama4 axle fits I just removed the CV swapped to the sparks reinstall and she’s back in action. Going to head out and pick up some shrink wrap shortly might as well be safer than sorry again
 
Finished up parts for the Spark, ordered Green tapered screw washers ( pimp stuff ) the ADU brace everyone has suggested, the Swiss 7075 front and rear control arm brackets then finally the Kagama front and rear bumpers. Had seen a few reviews of others installing them and my aluminum chassis is super scratched already thought those bumpers would help protect things a little more. The new wheel/tire sets arrive tomorrow, I’ve seen the aluminum servo saver just wondering you alls thoughts there. Lastly is there anything else yall can think of I should do ( 7075 steering rack already installed ) 7075 aluminum diffs also. Again thanks for all the help guys
The modifying bug can bite hard 😅. Sounds like you upgraded everything that really needs to be upgraded, and are at the stage where probably just need to add your own personal touches to it. Corally, adu & gpm all do servo saver in 7075 if feel the need to upgrade it, there’s Also 7075 centre diff bulkhead can get if you want to add it, diff cases can also be upgraded 7075. Some people add chassis skids or skins to protect chassis, could also upgrade chassis to 7075 if modifying bug keeps biting but these upgrades aren’t necessary more want than need but I’ve still added them all to my buggy 😅. Other things I’ve done to mine are add front wing(racecraft USA) changed rear wing (tworks) & fitted tworks titanium centre driveshafts. And as mayako been on topic I recently saw someone use mx8 rear wing mount on corally direct fit & cheaper. But just enjoy it & modify or upgrade it as needed or as and when you like.
 
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