Impulse buy: HPI Micro RS4 RTR-X

[Richterat83]

While in Fort Lauderdale for the week for work, i stopped in to the local hobby shop Maniacs Hobby Complex and while browsing around at everything, a guy pulled down the Micro RS4 Falken Mustang and started drifting around the isles. He then in turn handed me the radio and had a bash at it. It's almost like he knew i'd buy one lol.

Either way, i didn't buy that day, but it kept stewing in my mind the next few days as i considered the Tamiya rally car or something else 1/10 scale but coouldn't shake the little micro. Considered the LaTrax Rally but i just kept coming back to the tiny little car.



So a day before i returned home, i went back in and picked up my own. Decided on the RTR-X Vaughn Gittin Jr Mustang as it included both grip tires and drift.

Got it to the hotel and proceeded to bash with the grip tires up and down the hallway and around the elevator lobby. Then swapped to the drift tires and headed out to the parking lot.

I attributed my lack of driftabilities to just being a noob, but i kept realizing i was able to at least hold a circular drift with the Falken car at the store, but can't at all now.

I failed to do all my homework and didn't realize only the Falken Mustang came RTR to drift. I assumed since this included drift tires, it would also include both a differential for racing and a locked setup for drift, but alas, no.

So after succesffuly beating the crap out of the body in my living room (current construction site during remodel-so bare concrete floors) i slammed into everything trying to drift (This was before realzing it has open diffs)

So locked setup is in the mail.




I don't really have a direction for this car, debated going brushless, but i'll wait to see how it does with the lockers and go from there.

I'll have updated pics as parts arrive and i get better at drifting it


THanks for taking the time to read, please feel free to comment or ask any questions.

Tylor

[Richterat83]

Mods thus far:

Swapped in a Flysky 3 channel rx so i can use my hacked GT3C on it

Ordered locked diffs for drifting

[nmanuel01]

That's pretty cool!

[Dostradamas]

I didn't realize they were still making them.
I got one when they first came out.
We were racing the 2wd BRP 1/18 scales then I got the 4wd rs4...
http://www.brpracing.com/18scale.html

I ended up pulling the front diff & bones and running it RWD to get closer to their class.
Fun cars in the right setting. These were the days before the brushless / lipo revolution and we were wanting to race for more than 8 minutes a pack (if you were lucky.) We were running 2000MaH NiMh AA packs that would go for 30+ minutes of racing.
SOOO Small, our first track was a roll of duct tape on the living room floor (gf was PISSED!) but it was so fun racing from the couch while it was pouring outside.
Enjoy!

[Richterat83]

Yeah, was first released what, back in 2002? They re-released them. Basically the same old car, but for an indoor little drifter, can't beat it! Don't plan on racing this (unless I buy another for someone to race me at the house)

[Richterat83]

Doh, adding to the stable still



Picked it up off Craigslist for $40. Came with the RTR stuff but also an Aquacraft 60amp brushless setup.

[djjiz]

I miss mine but the tire/ wheel mounting system was a joke. Never finished a race with all 4. Hopefully they fixed that.

[STANG KILLA SS]

love mine!

[Richterat83]

This one won't see any serious racing, at most around the house. Bought it to drift just for fun, so a wheel flying off doesn't bother me. But I do agree, the wheel outing system is silly. Still waiting on the lockers so I can actually drift Vs open diffs

Also after found some homework, it's basically a release with almost no changes from the original

[Wavekatcher]

Hey Rich,

Looks to be lots of fun.

Any idea if the stock esc can handle a 2s lipo?

I tried to google it with no luck.

[Richterat83]

From what little info I found, it should handle 2s, but just put on an axillary low voltage alarm as I too don't see anything about a built in lvc.

[Wavekatcher]

Thanks Rich,

I ordered one from Tower. will be here tomorrow. I'll let you know if I fry the esc using a Lipo.

[WHITE-TRASH]

Holy crap they still make them! I've had one sitting on the shelf for years and only ran it a couple times. Guess I'll have to look into getting some parts to go brushless on it now.

[Wavekatcher]

What kind of run time are you getting on the stock nimh?

[STANG KILLA SS]

2s works just fine on stock esc/motor. just keep an eye on your voltage. no lvc on stock esc. gives it a bit more pep too. also like doubles run time. hobbyking has a pack that fits it perfectly that's what we use. its for some other vehicle I think one of the losi micros. its also lighter I believe.

[Wavekatcher]

Thanks for the info.

I was wondering if drift cars handle better with a lighter pack. It seems the stock nimh is over 100 grams, and I've got some 2s 1000mah lipos that weigh in around 70grams.

[Richterat83]

well, installed some Exotek dogbones up front and have been drifting it around (I'm not great) but i can hold drifts around corners, but nothing near what would be clipping points.

It's a fun little car, i just am having a hard time getting into it. Debating parting ways with it already.

[Richterat83]

Well, traded the micro (plus some cash) for 2 monster jam stampedes. Keeping the grave digger but put the monster mutt up on eBay. No more micro for me.