Rs4-2 & Os .15 -- Setup Help Pls

[wigsplittah]

What's up everybody,

I recently purchased a Nitro RS4-2 sedan which came with the stock FE 15. Once I was bored with it I swapped it with an O.S. MAX CV-R .15 - it has plenty of power =)

it wasn't handling right so I deceiced to break the car down and check everything out. When I got the shocks, the front -- right side shock had no oil, the blatter wasn't on correctly, the shock shaft has deep scratches, etc.

So I'm going to rebuild all of my shocks and I wondering if anyone knew of a decent setup with the O.S. 15 for basic "parking lot" cruising, I'm not racing or nothing serious, just having fun.

I was thinking -- stiffer springs and thicker shock oil (60wt/50wt?), since the car has more power now? I'm pretty new to this and I would like to set it up right since I have everything apart.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[kwong2001]

Can't offer a setup, but you know, you might wanna consider just getting the factory threaded shocks. They cost about $35.

 

[wigsplittah]

I guess that would make sense since I would be spending about the same to rebuild all 4, but if I add aftermarket shocks in the front, I'm guessing I should do the same for the rear? I found a set of hot bodies aluminum shocks for $20 shipped on ebay just now, I might go with those, what do you think?

If anyone could still recommened any setups that would be very cool. I know you can improve the handing big time by harding up the front and a slightly softer rear, but I'm not sure what color springs, oil wt, etc.. I'm a newb

thanks!

 

[kwong2001]

Well i've also got an RS4 2 and will be buying some threaded shock bodies whenever I get the money. The HPI ones were meant for the HPI Proceed so they're probably pretty overkill for your application. They are a lot better than the Hot Bodies one. The HPI's will have parts more readily available in case you need to rebuild them. Go with the HPI's

 

[wigsplittah]

so these would fit my nitro RS4-2?
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJFE3&P=0

and could I get away with stock shocks in the rear and the pro's in the front or would it handle bad? I don't have $80 bucks for all 4 -- but I would rather wait until I do have the money -- if all 4 is recommened.

Thanks again

 

[kwong2001]

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXVB85&P=7

Looks like you'll need that one...lol, but I guess it only comes with 2 shocks. Unless you wanna spend a whole bunch of money, you might just wanna get the hot bodies one

 

[joneser4u]

The stockers are fine just rebuild them and add some 60wt front and 50wt rear with HPI purple springs in front(super firm) and blues out back(firm). I run this set up on a couple of my RS4 -3s. If your car dosnt have adjustable turnbuckles and tie rods buy them also major diff.

 

[wigsplittah]

thanks for the advice guys. I did end up getting purchasing 4 hot bodies shocks from tower hobbies. I will rebuild the stock shocks too and keep those as backups. I also purchased some 50wt and 60wt. I didn't get any springs, I wasn't sure if HPI springs would work with hot bodies shocks. I'm sure it'll be fine tho.

 

[parris001]

Those stiff springs with thick oil is great provided that where you plan on running has plenty of grip. On a prepped surface this would be a good set-up. But for just parking lot bashing where 1/1 cars have dripped oil and there's dust abd other debris, you gotta go soft. I run a RS4 2 and althought is sounds awful soft, I run the white springs out back, yellows in the front. #2 pistons on all four corners with 20 wt oil. This causes a lot of body roll (oh, forget sway bars. they're useless) but you NEED the weight transfer when there's a limited amount of traction. I also run the Pro Compound X pattern tires with black inserts. Run slightly more negative camber with this soft set-up because when the chassis rolls it will plant the outside tire as the suspension compresses. I also use the carbon fiber upper deck because hard brake applications with the stock flimsy plastic pieces flexes the chassis and affects handling. I wouldn't suggest upgrading to a Racer 2 front suspension until you first stiffen the chassis, but you should have plans (if you want to wring the most out of this car) to make the Racer 2 upgrade. By the way, I am using the stock shocks that came with my RS4 RTR. I know the threaded units are cool and fancy but that's money you could spend somewhere else. I invested in a set of the HPI spring shims that I use if I want to increase spring rates instead of the threaded ones.

A lot of people are going to tell you that this set-up is too soft and for all out racing it is. But for parking lot bashing it's hard to beat.

 

[joneser4u]

When I run a rough parkinglot, I found with a soft setup my chassie was contacting the surface to much causing drag and inconsistant handleing? Thats why I run stiff?

 

[parris001]

I see what you're saying and it's true that this setup does bottom out easy :yes: . I pick parking lots that are smooth. But even at that I wouldn't go to the other extreme with super thick oil and strong springs. Maybe yellow springs on the rear and reds on the front. And #3 or #4 pistons in the shocks. :radio: I'd put the lower numbered piston on the end I'd want the most traction on. #4s on the front will tend to cause the front end to push out a little more where if you put them on the rear it will break the rear tires loose first. I prefer the front end to push out and then I get it back by easing off of the throttle a little. Once the rear end steps out on me I usually can't get it back. And if I do, whew uke: , it gets ugly