HPI RS4 Stage D drift build #1

[Defiant]

I’ve always wanted to build one of these, so a while ago I ordered this new Stage D kit with plans to convert my RTR drift into a Stage D car. So I began collecting parts slowly to make the ultimate nitro drift missile!

For anyone who wasn’t aware, the RTR nitro drift chassis is different than the Stage D chassis. Servo mounts are different, material is different (6061 vs 7075), one is made in Taiwan and the other in Japan, they cannot be interchanged.

First thing I did was rip out the single speed gearbox from the RTR, swapped out the spur from a 47T to a 44T, and mounted it to the Stage D chassis with a Hot Bodies center gearbox mount. I also installed a Yeah Racing steering assembly but this will not be in the finished car.

Next I tore open a rear diff from an RS4-3, installed the diff cup from the Nitro Drift, an HPI diff locker kit, and put the assembly back into a brand new plastic housing

Installed the rear diff assembly and driveshaft, and while at it I fitted the brake kit from the Hot Bodies edition RS4. Purple brake cam lever is also from there.

Steering servo mounts and carbon upper deck installed temporarily

Rear shock tower is the original Hot Bodies design, impossible to find nowadays

And so this is as far as I’m going to get today. Progress will continue as I acquire more pieces. Minor details will all be ironed out by the time it’s complete

 

[luke66]

looks sweet!

 

[gandalfnz]

I got a RTR version of this one, one of my favs. Love it.
Do you reckon the Stage D conversion is of better quality/design/workmanship that RTR counterpart?

Thanks

 

[Defiant]

I got a RTR version of this one, one of my favs. Love it.
Do you reckon the Stage D conversion is of better quality/design/workmanship that RTR counterpart?

Thanks

Quality is standard Hpi quality which is to say, excellent. There is no difference between the two apart from the Stage D chassis being made of a superior grade of aluminum. The great thing about the RTR is that it’s cheaper, is mass produced/more accessible, and is very easy to disassemble.

 

[gandalfnz]

Quality is standard Hpi quality which is to say, excellent. There is no difference between the two apart from the Stage D chassis being made of a superior grade of aluminum. The great thing about the RTR is that it’s cheaper, is mass produced/more accessible, and is very easy to disassemble.

The only flaw I noticed on this car is the top chassis plate which you got in fiber, its quite soft and bends easily.
Where did you get yours from, eBay?

 

[Defiant]

The only flaw I noticed on this car is the top chassis plate which you got in fiber, its quite soft and bends easily.
Where did you get yours from, eBay?

It’s part of the stage D kit and can only be had that way unless you get very very lucky and someone lists theirs up for sale, but people typically want too much money for these upper decks.

A member is working on creating aftermarket upper decks out of carbon fiber to provide a cheaper alternative but it’s going to be a while until they get sold to the public.

 

[Defiant]

Grabbed an old seized engine and prepared it for the RS4

Everything disassembled ready to be cleaned

Back together

Tight fit with the brakes and all but it works, check out that rare hi-power tuned pipe

 

[Defiant]

Today I rebuilt a spare front diff I had and put it in some new plastics

I also did the fuel lines and air filter

I decided to try and make my own purple foam bumper, this one came out ok. I finished it off with some carbon fiber and some purple standoffs

Up next is suspension

 

[gandalfnz]

Very nice!

Those engines are good, if a bit finnicky to tune, the idle has to be up a little, and cannot go lower to what I'd like it to be at.
After seeing how Kyosho engine idles, I have been spoilt a little.

Which spray paint do you use?

 

[WickedFog]

Today I rebuilt a spare front diff I had and put it in some new plastics
View attachment 162661
I also did the fuel lines and air filter
View attachment 162659

I decided to try and make my own purple foam bumper, this one came out ok. I finished it off with some carbon fiber and some purple standoffs
View attachment 162662
View attachment 162666
View attachment 162658
View attachment 162657

View attachment 162668

View attachment 162656

Up next is suspension

Nice!

Where did you find purple foam? Since you are making these and selling them, maybe you should look into one of these...
Podoy Hot Wire Foam Cutting Machine Working Table Tool for Cutting Foams Sponge Pearl Cotton KT Board DIY Styrofoam Polystyrene Cutter Electric Heating https://a.co/d/339KHkJ

You can build one nicer for a lot less money.

 

[Defiant]

Nice!

Where did you find purple foam? Since you are making these and selling them, maybe you should look into one of these...
Podoy Hot Wire Foam Cutting Machine Working Table Tool for Cutting Foams Sponge Pearl Cotton KT Board DIY Styrofoam Polystyrene Cutter Electric Heating https://a.co/d/339KHkJ

You can build one nicer for a lot less money.

Ooh that’s neat, I’ll look into that thank you. I’m not sure where I got the foam, it was in my storage pile so I’ll have to dig through all my purchase history to find where it came from. I suppose I could consider making more

Very nice!

Those engines are good, if a bit finnicky to tune, the idle has to be up a little, and cannot go lower to what I'd like it to be at.
After seeing how Kyosho engine idles, I have been spoilt a little.

Which spray paint do you use?

Agreed, Kyosho engines idle amazing! And what do you mean by what spray paint do I use?

 

[WickedFog]

Ooh that’s neat, I’ll look into that thank you. I’m not sure where I got the foam, it was in my storage pile so I’ll have to dig through all my purchase history to find where it came from. I suppose I could consider making more

Agreed, Kyosho engines idle amazing! And what do you mean by what spray paint do I use?

I was just curious because I'venever seen that foam in anything but black or gray. It looks like it may be a yoga mat maybe?

If you use a piece of 1/4" hardboard and make a template of the bumper, then drill a tiny hole for a thumbtack at each end, you can just stick it to the foam. Then you can just run the wire around the template to cut the bumpers out.

I used to do a lot of foam cutting for dioramas. They are great tools for lots of stuff. But I just made mine with Rene 41 wire and a power supply. There are vids on YT.

 

[gandalfnz]

Ooh that’s neat, I’ll look into that thank you. I’m not sure where I got the foam, it was in my storage pile so I’ll have to dig through all my purchase history to find where it came from. I suppose I could consider making more

Agreed, Kyosho engines idle amazing! And what do you mean by what spray paint do I use?

The cooling head, did you not spray paint that?

 

[WickedFog]

The cooling head, did you not spray paint that?

That is anodized.

 

[Defiant]

The cooling head, did you not spray paint that?

That’s factory HPI anodizing

 

[Defiant]

Finished up the suspension today, Hot Bodies alloy everything, CVDs, HPI threaded shocks and some sick LP35s!!

 

[WickedFog]

I nominamte you for the sickest RC builds on RCT. A work of art man!

 

[Defiant]

I nominamte you for the sickest RC builds on RCT. A work of art man!

I’m honored, thank you!

 

[Defiant]

Added a custom exhaust tip with muffler

 

[Jamr]

Dam that thing is purty! Lets see the body on it and some run time!