HPI E-Firestorm, Who's tried it?

[frdtrkguy]

Has anyone tried the HPI E-Firestorm? It looks durable. I was thinking of it with the CC Sidewinder/5700 BL and a set of the new Proline Badlands on Axial Beadlocks. I loved my T-4 BL but it wasnt very durable. Any thoughts on this new truck?
thanks

[2JSC]

Let me know how it works out!

[procraft98]

I've been debating on it or the Rustler. I have a HPI Savage and it's very durable out of the box. From videos I've seen, its looks very durable. A guy at the LHS said he's seen one at the track and they seem to handle better than the rustler. Let us know how it is if you get one.

[FinishLineRC]

I sell them...very durable the E and the Nitro Firestorm....its HPI. No complaints from any customer yet!

[frdtrkguy]

Originally Posted by procraft98

I've been debating on it or the Rustler. I have a HPI Savage and it's very durable out of the box. From videos I've seen, its looks very durable. A guy at the LHS said he's seen one at the track and they seem to handle better than the rustler. Let us know how it is if you get one.

IMO the Rustler suspension geomertry is very dated. I handled an E-Firestorm and it looks state of the art minus some of the usual goodies, Alum shocks, titanium turnbuckles, etc.... Dont get me wrond the Rustler is solid and has stood the test of time. Ill be getting one next week and hucking all of the stock electronics out the window

[frdtrkguy]

I finally got er running and holy crap this thing is awesome. The 5700 motor on 11.1 volts is amazing! The Firestorm is built very well, its kinda like a Associated T4 on steroids. Beefy everywhere. Ill get some pics up soon.

[2JSC]

Sweet - very nice to hear that.

[Offroader5]

I'd be interested in seeing those pics...as many as you can post & close-ups would be very nice.

I too am looking right now for a 1/10 elec. I was going to go for the Rustler VXL, but have also been looking at the E-Firestorm. I just have to decide now whether I want a 2WD truck or a 4WD buggy like the B44 or the Cyclone D4.

[frdtrkguy]

Here are some pics, i am very pleased with this truck so far. It handles alot like my T-4 but is much more durable

[frdtrkguy]

I have to admit that I am most suprised by the shocks. I just assumed that I would replace them immediately because they are plastic but they are really beefy too. Lighter oil is in order but the springs seem about right. And they dont leak The tranny is full metal gears with a spring tension gear diff that provides some resistance kinda like a ball unit but stronger with no maintinence and is tunable with silicone oil. I also exchanged the left and right rear A-arms wich gave about 1/2 inch longer wheelbase for stability. Did I mention, its FAST

[Offroader5]

Are those the stock rear dogbones? Those look beefy

[frdtrkguy]

Originally Posted by Offroader5

Are those the stock rear dogbones? Those look beefy

Yup, I would like some CVD's or universals because the stock dogbones get ejected when you pop off a ball end

[Offroader5]

Originally Posted by frdtrkguy

Yup, I would like some CVD's or universals because the stock dogbones get ejected when you pop off a ball end

Is there room to use captured rod ends in lieu of the cap and ball? I hate those "cup and ball" tricks

[frdtrkguy]

Originally Posted by Offroader5

Is there room to use captured rod ends in lieu of the cap and ball? I hate those "cup and ball" tricks

Yeah, in fact thats what i did on the rear inners. I snapped one of the balls off in the first 3 min of running. Funny the T-4 had the same weak spot but on it I used some Lundsford titanium jobs. The captured ball seems to be alot stronger than stock. I have taken several full speed cartwheels with no other damage so far

[tim the toolman]

Hey Chris is it still running or broken lol? I got my maxamp battery, gps'd the rustler at 54mph without changing the gearing. I know it'll go faster but that speed's a little unsettling to me already! Time to race?!

[frdtrkguy]

Originally Posted by tim the toolman

Hey Chris is it still running or broken lol? I got my maxamp battery, gps'd the rustler at 54mph without changing the gearing. I know it'll go faster but that speed's a little unsettling to me already! Time to race?!

Ill start by making excuses I think I may have damaged the motor. I overheated it to 230 degrees which is bad from what ive heard. I have noticed a slight loss of power but I am not sure if its that or the latest firmware that I downloaded from Castle. I overheated the motor and got the latest software at the same time so i am not sure what the problem is. It should still be fast enough to smoke that ol Rusty

[tim the toolman]

Geared up the rusty to the 28 tooth it came with, gps'd it at 59mph, I let off a little early tho, not enough room where I was at That's way too fast!

[frdtrkguy]

Originally Posted by tim the toolman

Geared up the rusty to the 28 tooth it came with, gps'd it at 59mph, I let off a little early tho, not enough room where I was at That's way too fast!

Have you checked your motor temp? I think mine has slowed after overheating it.

[tim the toolman]

I don't have a temp gun but haven't noticed it being excessively hot. After hearing that tho I'm thinking about buying the optional little cooling fan for the esc maybe? Aren't those brushless motors easy to rebuild at least?

[frdtrkguy]

I think the Castle motors like i have are sealed and not to be opened except by Castle. I need to send mine in for repair, its 50.00 to get it fixed. now i need to figure out how to gear it lower. Ive got the smallest pinion on it that will fit. I need a bigger spur but no one has em in stock yet