MikeGozz's HPI RS4 Mini Pro Electric

[MikeGozz]

I'm usually more active in the rally forum but I figured I'd post this here because it seems more TC/Drift orientated ;-)

So I'm a old school HPI RS4 lover/collector. I have a Super Electric, a Rally. a original Pro (is actually my 1st true hobby grad RC) and most recently I have been getting into the RS4 Mini Electrics. I also have a WR8 for my daily bashing/rally running.

The RS4 Mini electric is basically a shrunk down, mini 1:10 or 1:12 scale RS4. It has a shorter chassis and narrower a-arms. It shares all other parts with the regular RS4, which makes it a good choice for me because I have plenty of spares and hop ups in my parts boxes...

Anyway I recently picked up a Mini Pro (the coveted rare woven graphite version), I have been rocking a regular Mini for the past 6 months or so and when the opportunity arose to pick this up I jumped on it.

When I picked it up it was fitted with a pretty nice Honda Civic body and wheels. It was pretty sharp but I had other plans.

The chassis was in great condition with minimal wear, it looked like it had only been run a number of times.

Off the bat I started to transfer all my electronics and goodies from my other Mini to the new chassis. The parts consisted of a brushless combo (Sidewinder/Tekin 6300kv!, I'm looking into a sensored combo because this is some kind of overkill), Savox SC1251MG servo, HPI alloy finned heat skink motor plate, a Robinson Racing alloy spur gear hub, a HPI Cup Racer T-Drift wheel set and miscellaneous bits that kind of dressed it up a bit.

The result was a pretty sweet little Mini RS4.

The next step was to finally pull out and paint up the HPI Cup Racer Datsun 510 body set I had been sitting on for a year and a half. The Cup Racer shares the same dimensions as the RS4 Mini and installing the body set and wheels basically give you a sweet true ten scale HPI belt drive car ;-)

I decided to test fit the body and mark the post holes, funny enough that turned into me full on painting and finishing the body.

I masked it up and set up my paint station (drop cloth and a fan in the basement window).

Here is the 1st coat sprayed.

And here it is before stickers, at this point I'm getting psyched! It is looking great.

And finally yesterday I finished it up! The body set is really nice, containing LED brackets for the front and rear and chrome bits all around.

It looks sweet with the 3mm rear/ 0mm front wheels set.

One more shot, I'm looking forward to running it and knocking the mirrors off ;-)

What do you all think?

Mike

 

[Gula]

Sweet wip dude. I'd copy that chassis to have spare parts. All flat parts!

 

[MikeGozz]

Thanks! Yeah the chassis is pretty rare but I do have a spare roller and a few nib parts in case anything happens.

Also there is a company in the uk (http://www.fibre-lyte.co.uk/) that makes repro chassis, shock towers and the like. They are a bit expensive but the option is there.

I'm more worried about the a arms... Asiatees has alloy ones but I'm not a big fan of alloy parts. The option is also there if I need it.

 

[Gula]

I found a set of original rs4 arms by RPM a while back, bought them thinking they'd fit my rs4 nitro 3. But they didn't!

 

[MikeGozz]

Yeah those will only fit the original 1:10 RS4 pro/sport/rally. They also don't have a bung hole for the sway bar mounts so they weren't a very good selling item.

I also have a set in my parts box, just in case I need them for my RS4 Pro.

 

[c0bra]

hey man do you still have these? i have a nitro mini on the way

 

[MikeGozz]

Oh yes I do! Nice! You will love these little cars. They handle great for the size. What kind of body do you have for the Nitro?

I currently have a Mini Electric Pro (the is a runner), A Mini Electric (this is brand new, half assembled), and another Mini Electric. The last electric will basically be used for a body display and spare parts.

For bodies I have the Datsun as seen above (I sold the Honda, its wheels and body mounts), A new in bag Mazda MX-5 roadster, and a new in bag Mercedes A-Class.

I plan on running the Datsun with the Pro chassis when ever I can and I plan to display the A-Class and the MX-5 once I get them painted and build some shelves in my kids room ;-)

Let's see some pictures of your Mini when you get it in.

Also if you post a build/rebuild/ or info thread shoot me a link to it in here so I'll remember to check it out!

And remember, Have fun with it!

 

[c0bra]

Will do. Im going to run the datsun 510 body with tamiya m03 mini couper wheels.

From what ive seen its in great shape other than the motor not starting. Im probably not going to run it much because of the terrible parts support, and having 2 ntc3.

 

[MikeGozz]

Good choice ;-)

So do the m03 wheels have the proper offset? IIRC the HPI 510 body requires +3/r +0/f.

I've got some spare parts too. If you find yourself in a pickle let me know and I'll see if I can help you out.

 

[c0bra]

I have no idea if they will work yet.
Thats good to know that you have spares, when it gets here im tearing it apart when i have time to go through it and fix the bad if anything comes up. I know the motor is bad but one of my ntc3 happens to have a .12 in it so i may just rob that from it