I have an hpi RS4 3 SS, I am admittingly using the stock tires over due, but is there any way to gain traction at my local parking lot? Im not racing, but the thing spins out pretty easily. Sway bars? different suspension setup?

When does this happen?

it could happen when:

1) Hard acceleration
2) turning into a corner
3) Comin out of a corner

Is there one side that breaks loose just like that?

I had an SS and I'm surprised! that 12R didnt have that much power?!
ram

It occurs during hard acceleration. Actually, now that I think about it happens more coming out of a slow turn, when I open the throttle I lose the back end.

Very typical

Its got mroe to do with the setup I think. The back end is very easy to lose.

Althought I dont know exactly how.. Tuning your suspension can help with this a great deal. I havent done it so I dont know how.

Maybe someone can enlighten us?!

ram

Usually, the car spins out in the corners due to some factors. As a basic set-up for tracks that are paved & swept (not too dusty) asphalt track , your should have more traction at the rear tire so you have to use a soft compound tire, and a slight oversteer at the front tires by using an medium compound tire. Try replacing your shock fluid by using high viscosity silicone oil at the front (90 wt) while softer oil at the rear (30 to 50 wt.) By doing this, you will get to notice an improvement in the cars handling especially negotiating turns. I used this set up for my electrics and it worked great, so I tried using it for my nitro, and it worked the same.

Remember, different track conditions requires different suspension and tire set-up. For ordinary paved parking lot, use a threaded tire with harder compound.

I hope this helps.

I've had this same problem for a while now.The car would spin out at high speeds or when it shifts into second gear.I tried different tire compounds and they all did the same thing and they wore out REALLY fast.I just switched to 40wt all the way around and I actually drove the car for 3 hours and still have ALLOT of tire tread left and the car didn't spin out once!!!!Try meesing with your suspension geometry and try a thicker oil and it might help you too.

Yeah I agree that it is mostly in set up. As for set ups that work for a electric car then the same one that works in a nitro car, I have never seen that work out. Nitro cars usually weight about at least 2x's more then a electric car.

I would not use sway bars. I would try some 37 pound springs in the front and 30's in there rear. I am not a hpi guy so I don't know your color to pound ratio for springs.

As for oil, I run 40 all the way around. Rear shocks turned on as much of a angle as possible. And fronts Same, unless you need more steering, then straighten your front shock one hole at a time till you have the desired steering

1 degree toe out in the front and 2-3 toe in on the rear.

5MM ride height.
Start there, I am pretty sure that you will get rid of that annoying spinning out.

Oh yeah.... get new tires! lol
If your a rubber guy
- Take Off tires are great GS27 medium compound or a GS22 for soft

Foams, I use 40 shore all around unless I have a slight push ( depends on the track) then I will go to a 37 and try that.

Tell us how you made out!

http://users.pandora.be/elvo/. Probobly the best setup guide, I used it all the time on my electric/nitro cars.

I found a setup sheet on another forum that works great.The site is down at the moment but when it comes back up i'll post it for you.

Thanks a lot guys.

dirty parking lot = spin out bald tires = no traction

fix those two areas somewhat and you should get pretty good traction. I have slicks on mine and when the parking lot is dirty, it just slides all over teh place.. *I've launched the rs4 into the air before by hitting a rock.. *... clean that up and get some good tires, with HARD foam. and medium foam in the front. would help out alot. Good traction and medium foam controls the steering very well. good luck.

Sweet mother of God! That article is DA BOMB!

I knew about the onroad stuff but the offroad was new to me.

Never thought it as being so different from onroad stuff.

I'm sure reading that will help me decrease lap times and decrease tire wear!

Thanks for posting that link!!
Ram