HPI R40 Nitro Car Forum
02-08-2009, 08:15 PM
Boy, I wish I lived in your area. Here in Southern California, we lost 2 of 3 permanent on road gas tracks in the past couple of years. The trend here went to 1/8 scale gas, then tapered off as racers went to off road 1/8. In fact, they covered up one of the on road tracks to convert it to off road. That was a sad day.
The remaining programs, indoor or outdoor, for the most part, have turnouts that tend to be on the light side.
02-09-2009, 03:50 PM
I'm one of the offenders when it comes to the market heading toward the large scale vehicles. I own two of the Baja series buggies. Lets face it. HPI is flooding the market with starter type vehicles. The price is right and they are RTR. The market strategy is to get the most for the lowest price. Think about it, HPI is pushing vintage racing and is selling the RTR RS4, the Sprint and the E10. All are good starter cars. The other plus is that they do an incredible job on their bodies. The appeal of ease of start up and running is very appealing to the end customer. Even the $1300.00 5T is a RTR. They are selling like crazy!
The R40 was and is a pro level race car that takes much more to get it up and running. I'm like Harry also, I have my R40 and I'm not getting rid of it. I think it's one of the best Vintage class and touring chassis out there!
About the track. I was in So Cal not long ago. Unfortunately, you guys are heading the way of the dirt track. I don't know why??? You guys have the weather! Swager and Hara both run off road also. On the other hand, they still run on road! I went to the Casino on road track near Inglewood when I was there.
The R40 was and is a pro level race car that takes much more to get it up and running. I'm like Harry also, I have my R40 and I'm not getting rid of it. I think it's one of the best Vintage class and touring chassis out there!
About the track. I was in So Cal not long ago. Unfortunately, you guys are heading the way of the dirt track. I don't know why??? You guys have the weather! Swager and Hara both run off road also. On the other hand, they still run on road! I went to the Casino on road track near Inglewood when I was there.
02-09-2009, 08:26 PM
You can get a nitro touring car up and running for about $300.00 less than the $1300.00 you quoted. By the way, the initial cost of one of those large off-road vehicle is considerably higher than that of a 1/10 scale on-road touring car. The issue is not about cost. Racer and enthusiasts have a big interest in large off-road vehicles, right now, and there are manufacturers who want to capitalize on it - plain and simple.
02-10-2009, 05:29 AM
My point of discussion was that it appears that HPI is targeting the RTR crowd vs. the dedicated r/c racer. Thats why I mentioned the cost of the 5T which is HPI's biggest RTR. I agree with you, the larger scales do cost more to operate/build.. God knows I know about that!! 
Both you and I know that start up on a pro level 1/10 car is lower than $1300. But, with all of the introductions of vintage style cars,(electric and nitro) it appears to me that our beloved R40 and other pro level nitros have been shelved by HPI.
To be honest, who knows where the trend in the R/C car market is moving? One day it's rock crawling, the next it's vintage,the next is drifting, the next day its 1/5 gas..etc. Either way RTR is a common thread that is keeping the industry afloat.
Both you and I know that start up on a pro level 1/10 car is lower than $1300. But, with all of the introductions of vintage style cars,(electric and nitro) it appears to me that our beloved R40 and other pro level nitros have been shelved by HPI.To be honest, who knows where the trend in the R/C car market is moving? One day it's rock crawling, the next it's vintage,the next is drifting, the next day its 1/5 gas..etc. Either way RTR is a common thread that is keeping the industry afloat.
02-10-2009, 02:50 PM
Tech Elite
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Louisville, KY!.. USA!! ....Home of http://www.fastharry.com
Posts: 2,847
Trader Rating: 4 (100%+)
My point of discussion was that it appears that HPI is targeting the RTR crowd vs. the dedicated r/c racer. Thats why I mentioned the cost of the 5T which is HPI's biggest RTR. I agree with you, the larger scales do cost more to operate/build.. God knows I know about that!! Both you and I know that start up on a pro level 1/10 car is lower than $1300. But, with all of the introductions of vintage style cars,(electric and nitro) it appears to me that our beloved R40 and other pro level nitros have been shelved by HPI.
To be honest, who knows where the trend in the R/C car market is moving? One day it's rock crawling, the next it's vintage,the next is drifting, the next day its 1/5 gas..etc. Either way RTR is a common thread that is keeping the industry afloat.
Both you and I know that start up on a pro level 1/10 car is lower than $1300. But, with all of the introductions of vintage style cars,(electric and nitro) it appears to me that our beloved R40 and other pro level nitros have been shelved by HPI.To be honest, who knows where the trend in the R/C car market is moving? One day it's rock crawling, the next it's vintage,the next is drifting, the next day its 1/5 gas..etc. Either way RTR is a common thread that is keeping the industry afloat.
Call me crazy, but I think HPI's new trend is gonna be re-introducing kits.......
speaking of which, did you see the new "True Ten" series?...
introe'd as KITS..........
If this is a new class at the HPI Challenge, I will race one....( and yes, there will be an HPI Challenge series this year.)
02-17-2009, 11:33 AM
Call me crazy, but I think HPI's new trend is gonna be re-introducing kits.......
speaking of which, did you see the new "True Ten" series?...
introe'd as KITS..........
If this is a new class at the HPI Challenge, I will race one....( and yes, there will be an HPI Challenge series this year.)
speaking of which, did you see the new "True Ten" series?...
introe'd as KITS..........
If this is a new class at the HPI Challenge, I will race one....( and yes, there will be an HPI Challenge series this year.)
I'm getting my R40s ready for this years challenge races. Gotta show those RS4-3's whos boss.
02-18-2009, 04:47 AM
02-18-2009, 08:03 AM
nice....
02-25-2009, 04:39 PM
hey guys ive had a hpi rs4 for awhile and still cant get it to work!! did i wast my money or was hpi a bad choice? when i first got it i fueled it up and turned it on and let it run like they say to break it in well it ran for maybe 20 mins then shut off well i tried turning it back on and it was locked up so i tore it down and my piston was fried so i orderd a new engine and i still cant get it going i haveint even drove it lol! plz anyone if u can help lmk thanx
02-25-2009, 05:06 PM
Ok first how do you know the piston is toast?
Second my guess is you know nothing and it was just simply stuck at tdc and cooled once freed your fine and now you have a new motor and it not being able to start is not hpi's yet your own as well as the first issue best bet is to find someone who can show you the ropes or do some serious searching all the topics have been covered numerous times on here....
My guess is the new motor and my experiece with not starting is u need a strong starter those c or even d battery started suck get the lateen battery style those thing don't give up.
Good luck
Second my guess is you know nothing and it was just simply stuck at tdc and cooled once freed your fine and now you have a new motor and it not being able to start is not hpi's yet your own as well as the first issue best bet is to find someone who can show you the ropes or do some serious searching all the topics have been covered numerous times on here....
My guess is the new motor and my experiece with not starting is u need a strong starter those c or even d battery started suck get the lateen battery style those thing don't give up.
Good luck
02-25-2009, 05:13 PM
Originally Posted by knighthawk1320
hey guys ive had a hpi rs4 for awhile and still cant get it to work!! did i wast my money or was hpi a bad choice? when i first got it i fueled it up and turned it on and let it run like they say to break it in well it ran for maybe 20 mins then shut off well i tried turning it back on and it was locked up so i tore it down and my piston was fried so i orderd a new engine and i still cant get it going i haveint even drove it lol! plz anyone if u can help lmk thanx
Okay, I'll give it a shot. knighthawk, you should slow down a bit before tossing brand new stuff and buying more. First, the RS4 is well suited to people starting out, so you didn't blow your money. HPI has some of the best customer service out there.
Now with your engine. How did you determine that your piston was fried? When breaking in an engine, you need to make sure that the piston isn't at top dead center when the engine stops running. If it does, you need to turn the flywheel by hand, otherwise the cylinder will cool and contract around the piston, causing it to seize. If this happens, you can heat the engine with a hair dryer, heat gun or by placing it in an oven, then turning the flywheel. If you messed up the piston when you dissassembled it and tried to free it up yourself, its you own fault. If there was some sort of defect that caused what you are describing, send the motor back to HPI and they will replace it. Check out www.hpiracing.com . HPI's site has lots of great information about nitro engines and how to care for them. Hope you get things sorted out and please post back here on your progress.
hey guys ive had a hpi rs4 for awhile and still cant get it to work!! did i wast my money or was hpi a bad choice? when i first got it i fueled it up and turned it on and let it run like they say to break it in well it ran for maybe 20 mins then shut off well i tried turning it back on and it was locked up so i tore it down and my piston was fried so i orderd a new engine and i still cant get it going i haveint even drove it lol! plz anyone if u can help lmk thanx
Okay, I'll give it a shot. knighthawk, you should slow down a bit before tossing brand new stuff and buying more. First, the RS4 is well suited to people starting out, so you didn't blow your money. HPI has some of the best customer service out there.
Now with your engine. How did you determine that your piston was fried? When breaking in an engine, you need to make sure that the piston isn't at top dead center when the engine stops running. If it does, you need to turn the flywheel by hand, otherwise the cylinder will cool and contract around the piston, causing it to seize. If this happens, you can heat the engine with a hair dryer, heat gun or by placing it in an oven, then turning the flywheel. If you messed up the piston when you dissassembled it and tried to free it up yourself, its you own fault. If there was some sort of defect that caused what you are describing, send the motor back to HPI and they will replace it. Check out www.hpiracing.com . HPI's site has lots of great information about nitro engines and how to care for them. Hope you get things sorted out and please post back here on your progress.
03-29-2009, 11:39 AM
Tech Adept
iTrader: (16)
Hello all R40 fans
Hello,
I just recently got back into RC after a five year break. I got my first R40 back in the day when they just came out, circa early 2004, and I loved it, but on road was dieing off in the area, and when I stopped commuting to the Sacramento area I just stopped racing and eventualy sold my cars on ebay. Well I just got my hands on an R40 again! Call me nuts for not going for a Serpent720 or Mugen rig but I still thought the R40 was a hot setup but I get the feeling not many run them these days. Not a big deal to me however, I need to hone my driving skills! I see a few on here are keeping many Serpents and Mugens in check! Way to go!
Anyway I just wanted to say hello to all the other R40 racers out there, and if you are looking to sell any stuff let me know. Im on the lookout for a one way and variuos pinions, springs, tires and parts ill want on hand. Oddly with 10th scale onroad loosing popularity - it would seem, parts and tires are crazy cheap. So far I have seen plenty of large emply parking lots empty out as businesses seem to be closing recently. I just want to get back into gas sedan racing - worst case I can assemble a local club to race with. There are some tracks still running 10th scale but not like they were. I hope the class doesnt die off! How are you guys liking the R40? I have combed this thread and answered majority of my Q's, so for now, just a hello. Does anyone know if Frank McKinney is still around or with HPI? Good luck out there!
DJ
I just recently got back into RC after a five year break. I got my first R40 back in the day when they just came out, circa early 2004, and I loved it, but on road was dieing off in the area, and when I stopped commuting to the Sacramento area I just stopped racing and eventualy sold my cars on ebay. Well I just got my hands on an R40 again! Call me nuts for not going for a Serpent720 or Mugen rig but I still thought the R40 was a hot setup but I get the feeling not many run them these days. Not a big deal to me however, I need to hone my driving skills! I see a few on here are keeping many Serpents and Mugens in check! Way to go!
Anyway I just wanted to say hello to all the other R40 racers out there, and if you are looking to sell any stuff let me know. Im on the lookout for a one way and variuos pinions, springs, tires and parts ill want on hand. Oddly with 10th scale onroad loosing popularity - it would seem, parts and tires are crazy cheap. So far I have seen plenty of large emply parking lots empty out as businesses seem to be closing recently. I just want to get back into gas sedan racing - worst case I can assemble a local club to race with. There are some tracks still running 10th scale but not like they were. I hope the class doesnt die off! How are you guys liking the R40? I have combed this thread and answered majority of my Q's, so for now, just a hello. Does anyone know if Frank McKinney is still around or with HPI? Good luck out there!
DJ
03-30-2009, 06:04 AM
There are still many many R40's out there. I still run mine in vintage races and it runs like a champ! The R40 is one of the first of the fully adjustable cars ( what I call them) and is running at many club races. With todays major events, by comparison, the R40 is heavy compared to the Mugans, Serpents, Kyosho's. It's still a good running and handling car. In vintage racing I think it's a great platform!
03-30-2009, 06:27 AM
Tech Elite
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Louisville, KY!.. USA!! ....Home of http://www.fastharry.com
Posts: 2,847
Trader Rating: 4 (100%+)
There are still many many R40's out there. I still run mine in vintage races and it runs like a champ! The R40 is one of the first of the fully adjustable cars ( what I call them) and is running at many club races. With todays major events, by comparison, the R40 is heavy compared to the Mugans, Serpents, Kyosho's. It's still a good running and handling car. In vintage racing I think it's a great platform!
Heavy?.... Moi?......
here's the real question.... where is Todd Marshall?....
03-30-2009, 09:18 AM
Tech Adept
iTrader: (16)
Well so much for that myth? lol Harry what have you done to trim weight down?
Has anyone caught onto using lighter li-po rx battery packs? I can shed tons just with that alone, im not really concerned about weight much.
Harry if you plan on parting with another Hara R40 let me know. Parts are crazy cheap for these cars, good time to stock up!
Im going to mozey around and try to find some gas sedan venues around northern Cal. Have a good one!
DJ
Has anyone caught onto using lighter li-po rx battery packs? I can shed tons just with that alone, im not really concerned about weight much.
Harry if you plan on parting with another Hara R40 let me know. Parts are crazy cheap for these cars, good time to stock up!
Im going to mozey around and try to find some gas sedan venues around northern Cal. Have a good one!
DJ