X-5 in Stock Class 17.5

[Migs]

Hi everyone,

im new to these forums, and to the x-5, which is being shipped to me at the moment, ive been reading a fair bit of good info but im hoping the x- 5 masters in here can guide me towards the light.

OK first things first, there are many factors that brought me to this car, having driven a xx4 for many years, i've grown tired of having to gear the car down due to less efficiency and lack of space for cooling for the motor, all of which is solved by this car, also the internal gear ratio is already pretty tall, 1.75 vs 2.3, making it easier to gear for 17.5.

I'm aiming around 5.3 fdr, which with the 102 spur is a 34 pinion. I'd rather use a smaller spur, and i have no issues with running no slipper, so an 82 losi spur from losi xxx 2wd with slippper locked tight should work i think, obviously no pucks, no slipper pads (though maybe one depending on spacing), any other ideas? i read in the manual, that some people were mucking around with the xxxs spur as a direct drive option, that would make the internal ratio very tall, but has anyone mucked around with this? with the 90 tooth spur, i can gear is right with a 21 tooth pinion and i'd assume i'd have to run the longer xxx4 belt and maybe the smaller xx4 diff pulleys if the belt isnt long enough. The other advantage of running the xxxs spur means theres no need for the slipper spring and nut etc to be poking out the side of the car, making arranging batteries and electrics much easier.

Sorry for the long read, i've got a few ideas going around my brain, i just want to work out if im on the right track, thanks - Miguel