tnx Maxx for the info. what do ya think of this one?

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXEHW8**&P=0

Duratrax is a more econo mfg, but parts are cheap and redily available.

I have owned an HPI, infact I have owned 2 nitro HPI cars, and really... you can do better for cheaper. In the long run the Associated NTC3 RTR+ http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXGZJ4&P=ML

is a better choice. It sports a WAY better suspension geometry than the HPI does. The HPI is easy to work on, but if you plan on using the car in a more race type setting I think the TC3 is easier to setup. That and since the TC3 is way more popular than the HPI in racing areas, there are lots of setup sheets (full details on how to setup the car for a specific use) , aftermarket parts, and knowledgable people available.


I mean this is my HPI RS4 3 SS from last year:
http://forums.procooling.com/vbb/att...achmentid=3001

mind you to get to the level that that car was at it cost nearly 1000$, that should give you some ideal of the amount of work it takes to keep an HPI competative.

STAY AWAY From the duratrax. thats all i got a say... they break 4x as much.. and their chasiss are as weak as cardboard.. i tacoed two chassis on my maximum ST truck (if i am remembering the name correctly)

as joe said the tc3 would be a better choice. the tc3 is a rock stable platform. i had a electric tc3 and it was on rails even on rubber slicks.

tnx for the info guys, i appreciate it.

yah i got a Ntc 3 after all of the good things i have heard about it. (layaway atm, cbf havin 325$ to drop at 1 time). the engine is a .15 pull start. At the hobby store i went to thay said this should do 35-40 mph outta the box, does this sound about right? also, any recomenned upgrades for this car?

Heh, best recommendation if that's your first car is drive really really slow. Seriously, it takes sooo much practice to drive well, and you usually have the urge to floor it as much as possible.

Set up some cones or something and practice making eights/circles/etc. around them, braking quickly, braking while turning, etc.

This seems lame, but the reason you're doing it is to save money. At my track, about twice an hour a car owner hands the transmitter to somebody to try (e.g. father hands to son, etc.). Approx. 5 seconds later, the car is smashed against a wall (indoor track), and the whole front end has to be rebuilt. It is amazing how much those little parts cost, and many many folks at my track spend ~95% of their time there replacing parts and 5% driving.

I'm by no means a good driver, but the folks at my track who are (we have some guys who go around circuits winning trophies) say slower is faster. Go easy on the throttle, brake for turns, and concentrate on cutting a good line around the track. The speed will come. It's fun to upgrade of course, but if you're really concerned about going faster, you'll spend all of your time practicing and worry about upgrades way down the line.

yah, it is fortunate for me that i have a high school stadium parking lot to practice at :). i see peeps out ther every sunday or so. TONS of room to work with an few obstacles other than the light posts. the other cool thing is that the hobby store has a real nice track outside that i can use as well.

ok, got my car today :). was a absolute pain in the ass to get it up and running, but it running good now after break in. My question is when i plan to upgrade the motor what would you guys recomend? it has the Associated .15x pull start it it now, but i think i want somthing a little more quicker. Or, should i just upgrade the pipe instead?

new engines are hard to get started and keep running. that .15 is perfect for the car for now, learn how to drive the car before you go and start throwing in more power. Tuning the car adn the engine can yeild lots of speed. Just dont lean the motor out or you can kill it in one run.

as for an upgrade motor. An OS .12TR series motor is a solid choice. very durrable, and very reliable, and the 5 port turbo version has some nice kick.

first of all Joe: thanks for all of the great advice in getting my first nitro car. yah friend i know what ya mean about power. this engine is gettin faster every day that i run it. all i need to do now is get the suspension dialed in for the track, this car has a nasty habit of drifting to the right, i have adjusted the trim on the radio, but i think i need to adjust the car instead. BTW the motor is runnin really lean ( i adjusted it that way tbhwu ). Having a new elementary school 2 min. away with a huge parking lot is good for learning how to drive this thing as well LOL..

dont run the engine real lean if you do you will kill it real fast