HPI Nitro RS4-3 Build #1

[Defiant]

Nice build ,where did you get the hs needle Dial

They’re all over eBay and Amazon

 

[Defiant]

Last week I scored this Uber rate RS4-3 Hot Bodies edition, it’s got plenty of upgrades on it. But my plan from the start was to use it as a parts car.

First thing I did was strip it down to just parts and wash everything thoroughly

Next I grabbed my RS4-3 and began to strip it down for some new upgrades

I had a new carbon brake disk on hand to replace the crappy gpm disk

The HB edition car came with a one way front diff which was a pleasant surprise, so I put it on my car

Got the new brake disk and driveshafts from the HB edition car installed

Front as well, along with alloy steering assembly

Last thing to do was swap upper decks and servo mounts. This takes a while because of how excessively long all the wires are and there just isn’t much room to tuck them but with that said it’s all buttoned up. Threw on a Yokomo air filter while at it. I ran out of purple washers so I used black as a temporary solution

The rest of the parts I’m saving for when I start my drift build

 

[Defiant]

Just got my servo arm back from anodizing

 

[WickedFog]

You're going to have to start a museum with all these showpieces you're building.

How much is the anodizing costing you there? I looked into getting some 1:1 car stuff anodized years ago, and it was pretty pricey then.

 

[Defiant]

You're going to have to start a museum with all these showpieces you're building.

How much is the anodizing costing you there? I looked into getting some 1:1 car stuff anodized years ago, and it was pretty pricey then.

For a small batch of rc parts it isn’t all that much in the grand scheme of things. I had parts done for multiple different cars all at once to try to save some money. All in all it’s a double digit fee and that includes shipping

 

[Defiant]

Today I replaced the shocks with adjustable Phoenix racing shocks

Then I took the engine out

I changed out the engine mounts, header and put a smaller cooling head on

I’ll get to the front shocks another day

Got rid of most of the washers in place of flat hex screws

 

[WickedFog]

Today I replaced the shocks with adjustable Phoenix racing shocks
View attachment 162777

Then I took the engine out
View attachment 162776

I changed out the engine mounts, header and put a smaller cooling head on
View attachment 162778
View attachment 162779

I’ll get to the front shocks another day
View attachment 162780
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Got rid of most of the washers in place of flat hex screws
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That thing is so sick I just got covid by looking at it!

 

[NitroR/C]

I love that nitro rc Fantastic!

 

[Defiant]

Did the front shocks. No more green!

 

[NitroR/C]

really a show! always my compliments.

 

[NitroR/C]

my aesthetic and functional advice, replace the tie rods of the arms and steering with adjustable ones perhaps in ergal.

 

[Chubaka]

my aesthetic and functional advice, replace the tie rods of the arms and steering with adjustable ones perhaps in ergal.

I think you found the only thing wrong with this car. Absolutely amazing work.

 

[NitroR/C]

Esattamente! secondo me questa è l'unica casa che manca su una preparazione del genere....comunque questa nitro rc è davvero straordinaria.

 

[Defiant]

I’m finally changing something that has been bothering me for a very long time…. The V2 hot bodies gearbox mount

V1 mount waiting to go in

The difference side by side

Everything came out pretty easy, definitely one of the easier cars to work on

And the fact that it all goes back together as one piece makes assembly easier than with the V2

I suppose that’s pretty much everything i could possibly upgrade, aside from some turnbuckles

 

[Chubaka]

Any chance you can post pics of the orange subie? I'm in the middle of that same body.

V1 look a lot better in there!

 

[Defiant]

Any chance you can post pics of the orange subie? I'm in the middle of that same body.

V1 look a lot better in there!

Sort of old pics but you get the idea

 

[Defiant]

Got some alloy c hubs and carriers, better lower bumper and *drum roll* adjustable turnbuckles! I know it’s long overdue, but better late than never eh?

The replacement bumper isn’t new but it has suffered less damage so why not replace it

I’m loving these silver knuckles, can’t say I’ve seen any before with this design. Does anyone recognize who made them?

I also took this time to delete the plastic carry handle, just looks cleaner without it

The alloy brake arm is a rare hot bodies piece, got lucky and scored another one

 

[Defiant]

Before anyone trashes me I’ve fixed the pinion gears while swapping them out for purple

 

[Defiant]

Here’s a pic of my first ever Nitro RS4! It was just stock, but ran great with the 2 speed. The Flareside body just does it for me. Wish I could find another..

And here is my first shelf queen. I bought it this way, it was completely new

Unfortunately ended up selling both for a hell of a deal. They say you don’t know what ya got til it’s gone..

 

[NitroR/C]

really very nice bodywork!
only now do I realize the mistake I made many years ago in selling most of my nitro rc.