HPI Super Nitro RS4 Build #1

[Defiant]

Bought this one for cheap and it was fairly complete but clearly has been neglected. Has the wrong bumper, rear body posts setup wrong, dead engine, fuel tank full of solidified nitro, front shock is wrong for the car and is seized, whole car is filthy & greasy, and has just a single speed gearbox.

First things first like all my builds I have to start with a new chassis, I found this rare Powerline racing chassis NIP. Got lucky they listed it with a typo and nobody could find it, thing must be 20+ years old.

I also found some incredibly rare Powerline Racing upper & lower control arms, uprights, and front lower bulkhead. The shock towers are custom made by a member of the Super RS4 group

Same guy also made the upper deck for me

[[continued]]

Stripped down the old car and thoroughly cleaned every parts by hand, replacing all the fasteners with stainless when assembling.

I used the front bumper, front shock, rear body mount and 2 speed gearbox from a donor car

Put on a gold CPV tuned pipe and a Kyosho fuel tank

[[continued]]

I couldn’t decide what wheels to go with as these cars don’t used a standard wheel size. Ultimately I ended up with Traxxas 4Tec 3.0 wheels that just happen to fit nearly perfectly.

I changed the upper deck out to purple carbon to match, put in some servos, alloy belt tensioner from a Ofna NZ-10, and added swaybars from a Ofna mini.

Some titanium screws for bling

Shocks are just some temporary ones while I find something more appropriate

Upgraded to chrome driveshafts

I ordered a C5R corvette body from TBG and trimmed it to fit

 

[Bogda89]

Sickening

 

[Defiant]

Sickening

Nitro gang

 

[Rclife2004]

Hey everyone! Well, I have an old HPI Super Nitro RS4 and I'm trying to get new parts for it you think if a buy the #117259 - NITRO STAR F5.9 ENGINE WITH PULLSTART is it good enough? I bought this car in 2004 my first nitro any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[tudordewolf]

Hey everyone! Well, I have an old HPI Super Nitro RS4 and I'm trying to get new parts for it you think if a buy the #117259 - NITRO STAR F5.9 ENGINE WITH PULLSTART is it good enough? I bought this car in 2004 my first nitro any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

That's the big block engine for the Savage, it wouldn't fit - The small block from HPI is the Nitro Star G3.0, but that has an integrated pilot shaft instead of the threaded crank used on older cars. If it has a Nitro Star 15FE, it has a long threaded crank; something like an SH 18 or VX18 would be the easiest to fit.

 

[coldvod]

Your build look good. Is it shelf queen?

 

[Defiant]

Your build look good. Is it shelf queen?

Yes almost all my cars are, the ones I’m willing to run don’t really have any upgrades or rare parts

 

[WickedFog]

Another beautiful build!

 

[gandalfnz]

Man, some serious $ go into these.
They look great!

 

[Defiant]

I’ve been upgrading the car and making some progress behind the scenes. Not really ready to post a public update just yet, but I do have some vintage nitro treasure to show off. 4 of these chassis plates have been sold already, if anyone wants the last one pm me!

 

[carlspeed]

I wish it was easier to get parts for them. I still have a nice Super Nitro RS4 with a 2 speed, lots of aluminum, and a brand new unused painted lighted body. Scared to drive it because I can't get parts for it anymore.

 

[Defiant]

I wish it was easier to get parts for them. I still have a nice Super Nitro RS4 with a 2 speed, lots of aluminum, and a brand new unused painted lighted body. Scared to drive it because I can't get parts for it anymore.

I do wish these cars didn’t disappear, they came during the best era of rc imo. I don’t blame you for not wanting to run your SN.

 

[Defiant]

Alright I’m finally confident enough to post an update on this car. I’ve started a completely new transmission assembly using a Robinson racing lightweight spur, aluminum shaft, hot bodies vented brake disk, carbon fiber pads, Kose brake adapter, and custom pulleys

Long time in the making to get it to the big reveal!

I also upgraded the intermediate shaft assembly with Cross uprights, custom pulleys and I polished the factory shaft to a mirror finish

I had to make my own bushing for the brake cam, fits quite nicely in there. If anyone needs one PM me

I also refurbished the old belt tensioner, looks much better now

I installed some rare Japanese spec Phoenix shocks. These are the smoothest shocks I’ve ever seen

Front tie brace is now titanium

And cherry on top, the chassis is a new Eagle Racing design

 

[Defiant]

A before/after shot of the intermediate shaft before polishing and upgrading

 

[WickedFog]

Impressive!

 

[Defiant]

I needed some new belts so I found these on eBay from Korea and pulled the trigger. Shipped fairly quickly and the belts look to be nice quality

Took off an old crusty belt to compare, the new ones say made in Japan on them.

Everything went on perfectly with no issue

All three are included

A great affordable option for the SN, and I believe they sell belts for other cars too. It won’t have an HPI logo on it but at least it won’t be dry rotted

 

[NitroR/C]

I love these kinds of modifications on nitro rc.

 

[Defiant]

Just received a custom made foam bumper (hpi style) and a rear body mount

Excellent fitment and looks super cool

 

[NitroR/C]

Really spectacular this Rc Nitro! years ago I did the exact same thing on a Hpi Baja 5b ss coming to almost 4000 euros of ergal and carbon etc. crazy stuff!!! and to think I sold everything after a few years!

 

[Defiant]

Really spectacular this Rc Nitro! years ago I did the exact same thing on a Hpi Baja 5b ss coming to almost 4000 euros of ergal and carbon etc. crazy stuff!!! and to think I sold everything after a few years!

That’s insane! Got any pics? I have a 5b, only mods are wheels, tuned pipe and 3 speed upgrade. It costs too much to mess with it further