What is the Tyco "X3"? There is a lot of mystery about what the REAL Tyco X3 is or was. Let's see if we can
set the record straight here. Why? Because I own both the PROTOTYPE
version, and the later version sold to the public. Steve the "UPSGuy" on the HO boards was kind enough to give me one after he received a bunch from his friend who worked at Tyco. I can't remember this guy's name, but I even e-mailed him a few times over lists he sent me of Tyco bodies that were test shots. Thanks again Steve ;^) (I also have Steve's video of the first 600 foot slot car track he built in his apartment. >Not for the squeamish. LOL)
On to the Cars:   The prototype X3 Tyco chassis I received is pictured here. Unfortunately, it was mistakenly pulled off the
shelf, and run for nearly six hours by a friend who was house sitting while I was snowmobiling. He liked it because
"It really fuckin' hangs on!."
I was a bit bummed to find the comm on the arm TOTALLY worn and trashed. The brushes were almost gone.
Since that time, I have replaced the arm and brushes so I can run it once in a while.
Cobalt Traction Magnets:
The most obvious difference about this chassis is the traction magnets. They are small Cobalt traction magnets, clipped into small black plastic holders that are equal in size to the stock Tyco traction mag.
Interesting little items! I have been told these are actually Puma magnets. They are very strong. The stock armature didn't appear to be modified, and it did get
hot after just a few seconds of running. The chassis did move and handle very well considering the added downforce of the Cobalt traction mags. The car kept up to a Tomy Super G+ on the
few runs I got out of it. It took some skill to get it there, but that's a Tyco for ya! It was definitely fast!Silver Shoe Springs:
Closer inspection, (and having to change the shoes after 6 hours of trashing..) I found that the chassis also has silver pick up shoe springs installed in place of the copper ones. I'm not sure of
the reason for this, but perhaps the engineers were looking for better conductivity in hinsdsight of the extra load the arm would be under with the added downforce.(?) Or, maybe they were
also looking for ways to get rid of the extra heat they were getting in the arm after some initial testing.(?) Again, more answers I would like to get.  Factory ID Tag:
The other puzzling thing was the meaning of the numbers marked
on the ID tag on the back of the chassis. At the time Steve gave me the chassis, he couldn't get any information about their meaning. I am hoping maybe I can get an answer with this web
page on the Internet now.
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However, the cars in the package were nothing more than 440X2's with newer body styles. They also came equipped with small capacitors mounted across the power input that acts like a
filter, controlling the interference in home appliances like TV's and AM/FM stereos, which is normally generated by the arcing of the brushes and pick shoes. (Remember your dad yelling at you for playing with your slot cars
while he was watching the golf game?) It also helps the toys conform to various new overseas communications standards.(similar to FCC) The capacitor is also used in cars included in
Mattel slot car track sets, where the sets incorporate electronic effects using sensitive IC chips.