HPI RS4 Rally
 

I was at my LHS today and saw on the top shelf in the back of the store -- an HPI RS4 Rally! I knew these things had been discontinued for at least a couple years and I always wanted one. I got the kit for $150 brand new never opened. :D
I started building it, the rear end is complete and attached to the chassis. I'll post pics when it's finished.

Does anyone else have one? If so please speak up and tell me about it!

I've got a question. The kit comes with rally tires/wheels but no foams. I'm wondering if I should get foam inserts for these, or am I not supposed to use foam inserts with rally tires... The tires seem pretty firm already.
Thanks,
GunNut

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

I had one of those when they came out . You got a good price on that . Iwould put foams in, I can`t remember what the tires looked like so not positive .

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

I bought a RS4 something (there are too many for me to figure out which RS4 this is) that was converted to rally. Nitro though :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...n/09eeb7d2.jpg

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

thanks dawman. I was thinking foams would be a good idea.

ibrakefornobody-- that looks like a mean machine you got there [sm=thumbup.gif]

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

I've got the Focus. Bought it when I was still in college, maybe summer of '98? Ran it for a year or so, then it just sat for about 5 years before I dragged it out again. Mine didn't come with foam inserts so I just run it without--the tires are pretty hard, with stiff sidewalls. The little bit of extra ground clearance lets it run pretty decently on short grass and gravel; it's a fun car.

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

I've been wanting one of those ever since I saw this video on www.bannedrc.com. Check this video out.

[link=http://www.teknuz.com/jadedbeta.wmv]http://www.teknuz.com/jadedbeta.wmv[/link]

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

Gunnut, Congrats! That is a very good price! I don't know anything about it but I'm just here for the pics. of it! :D

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

wow... didn't know they a rally edition O.o

I want one now =/ Probably convert a nitro rs4 XD

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

im also thinking about getting one too. my lhs has one for $125.00.

yes i know the truck is discontinued, so i wonder if the parts are still widley available, the main parts being the suspention, and the drivetrain. as you can tell, i dont want to buy somthing were the parts will not be easily available.

my other question is that, is this a good racer, or is this more of a bashing truck?

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

Mine has the Impreza body-- I forgot to mention that. I spent 6 hours working on it today and it's almost done! I basically have the rolling chassis finished and I'm halfway done with the inner body... I don't even have paint yet for the "outer" body so I guess I should get some. I promise I'll have some pics up sometime Friday. :D
I already have an RS4 sport 2 so I'm really anxious to see how the rally version compares... It definitely has more suspension travel than I was expecting. Almost as much as a buggy. I've heard it does great off road if you put buggy wheels on it for more ground clearance.
f150dan-- thanks for linking to that vid, I'd never seen that!

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

Allright, I'm back with some pics. I haven't driven it yet, but it's ready to go. I'm using a Futaba S3004 servo, Novak Fusion dual profile ESC, a Futaba 75mhz AM rx, and the motor is a Venom 15 turn double(had to "borrow" it from my bandit[:o]). I'm going to get a new motor for this thing ASAP... It's geared 23/90
I still have to paint the impreza body. And switch this ESC over to dean's.[:@]
Build time: 10 hours
Let me know what you think![8D]

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

HAHA, thats awesome! I really like the way it looks with the current shell.

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

thanks! Is that you, cadillac? :D

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

Who else has a mini lst like mine! :D;)
Actually though I really like the look of the body, "I" think it would look better then the subaru, it makes it look like a sand rail. ALthough the body posts are a little high ;). But I like it, good build!

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

I'm wanting one now dang it. I saw that vid earlier, and when I noticed your thread I just had to post it.:D

I might get a Tamiya F-150 instead though.

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

Thanks cadillac :D

I just took it out for a drive. Our grass isn't really growing yet so it drives fine anywhere in the yard. I've got it geared down a bit. I stole my brother's drift tires and started tearing it up on the driveway [>:]

f150dan-- I've been thinkin about getting a tamiya f150 for a while too, either that or the hummer. they both look nice

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

Make a video! :D ;)

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

I wanted to, but my bro (camera man) isn't around. I will make one though.
Maybe I'll take it off my launch ramp ;)
:)

Just ran it again. Cooling seems like it will be an issue with everything enclosed like that. Even geared down, my venom smells burnt after this last run. ESC is warm, motor is hot, battery is hot. I'm using some old 1900 nicads... When I take the lid off it's like an oven in there! I'll make some vents in the lid.

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

Gunnut, Looking good! Can't wight to see the vid. How you going to take care of the cooling issue? Just cut some holes and slots? Maybe try fabing up a hood scoop[>:]

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

I've got two novak mini cooling fans laying around. I'll try to mount one up in the lid to suck some cold air in.

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

Gunnut let's see a mock up with the subaru on! [8D]

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

Good Idea with the fans. I did that on my boat.

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

Thanks, I had bought them for my boat lol... Since I got two, my boat shouldn't get too jealous.:D

BTW, LoveThoseWarbirds--- did you hook the fan up to the extra slot on you RX? I was thinking of hooking it up like that but I', not sure if it'll work... Thanks

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

That does sound like a good idea about the fans. I remember I was thinking of doing the same thing for my rally. I never tried it though. once I hooked up 2 LED lights to the BATT. slot on the reciever and they lit brightly while the car was still, but when the motor and steering servo started drawing power they dimmed too low to be seen untill I got off the throttle again.

Make sure that you do something eventually, because that is the reason that I am not running my car now. the esc overheated and caught fire while running with the extra cover... despite the fact that it was supposed to have thermal shutdown protection...[:@] (futaba MC330CR). the short destroyed the battery too. I am now about to buy A GTB for it.

I came across my rally in the exact same manner that you did Gunnut, on the back shelf of the local hobby store. I also said "wow, I thought those were discontinued! I always wanted one!" I actually went there to get a rustler, because I was convinced that I wouldn't find a rally! only difference was that mine was a ford focus wrc. lost that body...(long story), replaced it with an HPI lancer evo 6, that one suffered because I am kind of a crazy driver, so now, I have a BMW M3 body that I have painted to look just like the M3 from "Need for Speed Most Wanted" (video game). It's my first attempt at really painting a design, other than spraying a solid color. I will try to get pics of it's new look.

RE: HPI RS4 Rally
 

Sorry to hear about the burnt ESC and battery, that sucks! I'm painting the Impreza body right now (waiting for the second coat to dry). I'm still trying to set up the fan where it will do the most good without getting in the way. Well whatever I end up doing, I'll post some pics of it...
I think I need to lower the front suspesion a little because the dogbones appear to be binding sometimes. Have you noticed anything like that on yours? They're a little squeaky sometimes and don't feel as smooth as they should be.