HPI Hellfire SS Kit Build & Long Term Review
07-09-2007, 11:42 AM
#301
use the contra nut to lock it.
mzl Hellsavage
mzl Hellsavage
07-09-2007, 04:16 PM
#302
whats a contra nut?
07-09-2007, 04:55 PM
#303
Another Hellfire SS build experience
I found and have been quietly following this thread for the past month. I gotta thank Madhacker for sharing his build and run-in experience online like this, as well as all the other contributors to this thread.
I bought my Hellfire kit at the beginning of June and finally gave it its first run last weekend. Being in the United Kingdom, I had to be patient for online ordered US parts (cheaper) to arrive, but arrive they all did and the long awaited tuned pipe completed the kit nicely.
It's thanks to the wealth of the advice given here that I managed to side-step problems with weak steering servos and slack servo saver settings. I also took some comfort knowing that the same few screws holes were tough to line up, especially the stubborn rear brace.
Learning points to share?
1. Get a really good quality set of hex drivers! The screws strip very easily it really isn't worth struggling with ill fitting tools.
2. Thread lock ALL metal to metal screws. The manual doesn't advise correctly all the places where it should be used, e.g. engine mounts to the chassis
3. Be careful not to forget (like I did) the circular diff holder socket when fitting the chassis top plate.
4. Not all the parts in the manual are numbered correctly, but mistakes were easy to spot.
5. Be careful not to get threadlock around the brake lever posts! You might find the disengaging the brakes a little difficult when it comes to use
Overall build experience?
The UK aftersales service for HPI by Mirage was brilliant. I had to make requests on two separate occasions for missing (diff 0.15mm washer) and replacement parts during construction and the response have been helpful and swift. The contruction manual was clear and the kit was very well packaged in logical stages.
Not really knowing what good alternatives to choose, I stayed safe and fitted the kit with a HPI K4.6 HO engine and tuned pipe, together with an ACE DS1013 servo for steering. After break-in, the performance of the truggy on our local sandy/dirt track was very satisfying even while purposefully running rich. Steering response was fine, with just some understeering. The vehicle was nicely balanced and comfortable to manouvre around, eating up any bumps on the track.
Final thoughts
This was my first kit build and I was pleased with the experience and end result. I like the "tuneability" of the car and look forward to playing with the settings. In the meantime I need to run in the diffs and engine a bit more to fine tune it.
A few pictures for your delectation. First one is the virginal truck before hitting the track for the first time:
Spinning out some dirt...
Enjoying some air...
Thanks Ferdinor for those last two shots. More pics on his website at:
http://www.freewebs.com/ferdinorphotos/sunday080707.htm
I'll post again with any useful experiences to share over the near future. Unfortunately the weather in UK has been rubbish recently, and so it's anyone's guess when I'll next be able to race the bad boy.
I bought my Hellfire kit at the beginning of June and finally gave it its first run last weekend. Being in the United Kingdom, I had to be patient for online ordered US parts (cheaper) to arrive, but arrive they all did and the long awaited tuned pipe completed the kit nicely.
It's thanks to the wealth of the advice given here that I managed to side-step problems with weak steering servos and slack servo saver settings. I also took some comfort knowing that the same few screws holes were tough to line up, especially the stubborn rear brace.
Learning points to share?
1. Get a really good quality set of hex drivers! The screws strip very easily it really isn't worth struggling with ill fitting tools.
2. Thread lock ALL metal to metal screws. The manual doesn't advise correctly all the places where it should be used, e.g. engine mounts to the chassis
3. Be careful not to forget (like I did) the circular diff holder socket when fitting the chassis top plate.
4. Not all the parts in the manual are numbered correctly, but mistakes were easy to spot.
5. Be careful not to get threadlock around the brake lever posts! You might find the disengaging the brakes a little difficult when it comes to use
Overall build experience?
The UK aftersales service for HPI by Mirage was brilliant. I had to make requests on two separate occasions for missing (diff 0.15mm washer) and replacement parts during construction and the response have been helpful and swift. The contruction manual was clear and the kit was very well packaged in logical stages.
Not really knowing what good alternatives to choose, I stayed safe and fitted the kit with a HPI K4.6 HO engine and tuned pipe, together with an ACE DS1013 servo for steering. After break-in, the performance of the truggy on our local sandy/dirt track was very satisfying even while purposefully running rich. Steering response was fine, with just some understeering. The vehicle was nicely balanced and comfortable to manouvre around, eating up any bumps on the track.
Final thoughts
This was my first kit build and I was pleased with the experience and end result. I like the "tuneability" of the car and look forward to playing with the settings. In the meantime I need to run in the diffs and engine a bit more to fine tune it.
A few pictures for your delectation. First one is the virginal truck before hitting the track for the first time:
Spinning out some dirt...
Enjoying some air...
Thanks Ferdinor for those last two shots. More pics on his website at:
http://www.freewebs.com/ferdinorphotos/sunday080707.htm
I'll post again with any useful experiences to share over the near future. Unfortunately the weather in UK has been rubbish recently, and so it's anyone's guess when I'll next be able to race the bad boy.
07-09-2007, 05:54 PM
#304
I like the paint job. The blood splatters give it a good effect.
07-10-2007, 01:13 AM
#306
Thanks for the post Dustkicker! Your building experience pretty much validates what I experienced with the truck. I wasn't missing any parts, but the rest of what you stated is very true... especially the advice to get some good hex drivers! LOL, I stripped a screw or two and then decided to go buy some good quality Hudy drivers from my local hobby shop.
The pictures are super! Enjoyed them very much! Thanks!
The pictures are super! Enjoyed them very much! Thanks!
Last edited by MadHacker; 07-10-2007 at 01:38 AM.
07-10-2007, 01:15 AM
#307
Hey guys, I figured out why my Hellfire wasn't steering so well at the last race I went to... It has to do with the diff conversion, so this might end up being important.
We should have a couple of guys confirm this (I might be the only one this happened to), but here's the story...
I performed the diff conversion using the Savage X SS alloy diff cups. I used everything from the Savage except for the ring gear, the outdrives, and the seal. After the conversion, I noticed that my Hellfire didn't want to steer anymore... it was really bad, plowed around every corner.
After doing some thinking, I started to spin the wheels to feel the diffs and noticed they seemed to have a lot more resistance in the diff action than I would expect. I pulled the diffs apart and noticed that the shim under the larger bevel on the ring gear side was distorted and cupped (see the photo). It became apparent at that time that using this combination of parts caused the diffs to be too tight, so after removing the shim and re-assembling the diffs, everything is now nice and smooth with no extra resistance other than the diff oil.
I was able to take the truck back to the track and try it out with the corrections made to the diffs... it's now turning corners much better again!
We should have a couple of guys confirm this (I might be the only one this happened to), but here's the story...
I performed the diff conversion using the Savage X SS alloy diff cups. I used everything from the Savage except for the ring gear, the outdrives, and the seal. After the conversion, I noticed that my Hellfire didn't want to steer anymore... it was really bad, plowed around every corner.
After doing some thinking, I started to spin the wheels to feel the diffs and noticed they seemed to have a lot more resistance in the diff action than I would expect. I pulled the diffs apart and noticed that the shim under the larger bevel on the ring gear side was distorted and cupped (see the photo). It became apparent at that time that using this combination of parts caused the diffs to be too tight, so after removing the shim and re-assembling the diffs, everything is now nice and smooth with no extra resistance other than the diff oil.
I was able to take the truck back to the track and try it out with the corrections made to the diffs... it's now turning corners much better again!
Last edited by MadHacker; 07-10-2007 at 01:40 AM.
07-10-2007, 02:02 AM
#308
Sorry Ithought this was already discussed. The diffs of a Hellfire, in general, have the problem of leaking after about a gallon. To solve this U can put Kyosho P6 0-rings in it, replacing the HPI rings. These rings are slightly thicker so they close the diffs better.
http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...oducts_id/4016
http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...oducts_id/4016
I guess the other option would be to replace the o-rings with new HPI #6811's every time the diffs are opened for maintenance.
Thanks for the tip, and the link!
07-10-2007, 05:22 AM
#309
07-10-2007, 05:24 AM
#310
One more thing
I was talking with a pro last weekend. He told me not to use alu diffs. they get to hot whem driving hard. Whats the experiance U guys have?
mzl Hellsavage
I was talking with a pro last weekend. He told me not to use alu diffs. they get to hot whem driving hard. Whats the experiance U guys have?
mzl Hellsavage
07-10-2007, 06:02 AM
#311
Alrighty then.. Well I lock tighted the nut and after two tanks nothing is loose and it steers great. I haven't had a problem with my diffs since the convert. I didn't put that shim in because after I assembled the diff it was tight to turn. I completely forgot to mention that. Out of sight outof mind. Sorry.I guess I'm also going to have to order up a few p6 rings also since everyone likes them better. I haven't noticed any problem with the steering knuckles hitting or binding.
These are the tools I use now. I've had good luck with them and sell them at the hobby shop. No complaints yet from customers. Believe me they would complain if they weren't as good as I have made them out to be.
These are the tools I use now. I've had good luck with them and sell them at the hobby shop. No complaints yet from customers. Believe me they would complain if they weren't as good as I have made them out to be.
07-10-2007, 02:04 PM
#312
Tech Adept
I did the diff upgrade and experienced the same issue with the o-ring and the shim fitting too tight, but only on one of the 3 diffs. I just left the shim out on the one diff, the other 2 seem to be fine. Go figure. Last time we raced i did tear up the pinion gear on the rear diff (pre-diff upgrade). The grub screw on the cvd from the center diff came lose allowing the the pinion to walk back and forth varying the gear lash with the ring gear. I had used shrink tubing to keep the screw in but when the screw came lose the pinion would slide.
07-10-2007, 10:30 PM
#313
Tech Regular
one thing about removing the shim in the diff is that the gear might put more wear on the o ring. the shim is there to protect the o ring and keep the gear from binding on the case. when re assembling the diffs tighten them with the cross method. one screw across the other, and make sure not to overtighten the diff this could put a lot of stress on the gears and could be the cause of the problem. Its not normal for the shim to be deformed like that. just my observation
07-11-2007, 01:13 AM
#314
I thought about that when I removed the shim, however, then I recalled that the old Savage 4.6 SS diffs did not have a shim in this location and they were fine. The o-ring is inset enough in the ring gear that I think it'll be OK. I'll keep an eye on it and let you all know.
Last edited by MadHacker; 07-11-2007 at 01:25 AM.
07-11-2007, 01:32 AM
#315
One thing I did on my Savage that helped quite a bit was to switch to Lunsford steering parts, and shimmed the servo saver so it removed the vertical slop. I should see if a Lunsford kit is available for the Hellfire.