HPI R40 build #1

[Defiant]

This is going to be a somewhat short build thread because the work done was very straightforward. I may have some small updates in the future if I’m able to source more parts.


I searched high and low trying to get a HPI R40 for a decent deal, I made an offer on this car and the seller accepted. This is not a Hara edition but is still a race car, here are some pics of when I took it out the box that it came in all the way from Japan!

The factory foam tires were cracked and rotted so I took them off and assessed what it needs

Right away I noticed how heavy this car is, which, as I understand was a common complaint about it. It’s also missing the radio box cover and is dirty but in decent shape overall.
[[CONTINUED]]

I spent time gathering some parts to rebuild and upgrade it. I found an HPI lightweight 7075 chassis to help cut some weight, along with that I got a lighter upper CF deck, CF mid brace, CF bumper brace and CF front and rear shock towers.

After stripping it down and starting with a new chassis and new stainless hardware I got to work… and here is the end result

I didn’t get foam tires as I couldn’t find the right sizes for it so these are fine for now. It has a new radio box just needs an antenna added later.

Engine is the original Novarossi S12 that came with the car, I just put a H.A.R.D Racing Viper low profile cooling head on it and cleaned it up and gave it a new air filter.

The tuned pipe is a H.A.R.D. Racing Shark which fits perfect.

Front bumper foam is from a Trinity Reflex

Better pic of the mid brace

Here is the new lightweight chassis. The colored screws are titanium

I chose the HPI R34 Skyline GTR Pennzoil body to give it the racing look it deserves.

 

[tudordewolf]

You're an artist with these builds!

I love the cooling head, I wish there were more "profiled" heads out there. Kyosho made a couple engines with them, the GZ15 and GX21 in their F1 car, but their recent stuff is all cylindrical like everyone else's.

Random question, do you oil that style of air filter? I got one but it seems different than the kind with removable filter elements, like it would be harder to clean / re-oil with any regularity.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Wow! Looks fast just sitting there!

 

[gandalfnz]

Wow!
Amazing!

 

[Defiant]

I love the cooling head, I wish there were more "profiled" heads out there. Kyosho made a couple engines with them, the GZ15 and GX21 in their F1 car, but their recent stuff is all cylindrical like everyone else's.

I agree, the Tamiya TGR for example looks so aggressive with how low slung everything on it is. I appreciate all shapes of cooling heads, but some are more interesting to look at than others. You can say they’re… cooler

Random question, do you oil that style of air filter? I got one but it seems different than the kind with removable filter elements, like it would be harder to clean / re-oil with any regularity.

Yes it still needs to be oiled

 

[WickedFog]

Beautiful rebuild. Love the body.

 

[TRAT]

Wow love it!!!

 

[Greywolf74]

Looks amazing! Loving that viper cooling head!

 

[tudordewolf]

I didn’t get foam tires as I couldn’t find the right sizes for it so these are fine for now

These are what I use for my onroad foams, 40R hardness. I'm a fan of the tires you chose, though, I have that exact tread on a couple of mine.

 

[Defiant]

Pulled out the R40 for some more upgrades, I found these sweet Eagle Racing parts

Also scored some alloy bulkheads

The fit and finish on these is excellent, they even included screws and spacers. 10/10 product, very pleasant to install after dealing with parts from other brands that don’t fit properly

Debating installing this Eagle Racing chassis

 

[TRAT]

Love it!!

 

[Defiant]

HPI sells this lightweight mid shaft for the R40. It didn’t feel that light when I held it in my hand

I took out the old one to compare them and holy sh** the stock one was insanely heavy… too heavy for what was supposed to be a race car.

As you can see one is hollow and one is not

I suspect HPI intentionally did this to drive sales of lightweight mid shafts, pretty clever

 

[dasrcparts]

The r40 had definitly been on my list to pick up!! Nice build!

 

[Defiant]

Time for a quick chassis swap from HPI to Eagle

 

[WickedFog]

You definitely gotta start making purple bumpers

That looks much better.

 

[Defiant]

You definitely gotta start making purple bumpers

That looks much better.

Definitely on my to-do list now!

 

[WickedFog]

Definitely on my to-do list now!

I'm not even a nitro guy, and I want one lol. But ya got me wanting to bling out a Jato.

 

[Defiant]

I'm not even a nitro guy, and I want one lol. But ya got me wanting to bling out a Jato.

Are there parts like this available for a Jato? When I had one all I did was put on the lightweight chassis plate. My Rustler at the time had way more upgrades on it

 

[WickedFog]

Are there parts like this available for a Jato? When I had one all I did was put on the lightweight chassis plate. My Rustler at the time had way more upgrades on it

Mine already has aluminum shock towers and a few other aluminum bits. But no, not nearly as much stuff like that. There used to be a lot more, like aluminum trans housings, but @johnnydmd has cornered the market on them, so finding one these days is pretty darned impossible.

 

[Chubaka]

Are there parts like this available for a Jato? When I had one all I did was put on the lightweight chassis plate. My Rustler at the time had way more upgrades on it

Car looks amazing. So much so I gotta up your rs4 with mine.

Traxxas has aluminum goodies for the jato.
Hot racing also.

https://hot-racing.com/?c=180_Traxxas_Jato_2.5_and_Jato_3.3

https://m.traxxas.com/products/models/nitro/jato33-tsm?t=accessories