My new HPI Blitz (pics!)

[MetalMan]

Anybody getting one of these? I got mine today :p This is the first new truck I have been excited about in a while (the price I paid helps too...)

Overall I'm pretty impressed with some of the design features HPI included in this truck, it's more well thought out than the SC10 and Slash IMO. Of course HPI has had more time to iron out the kinks...

It's obviously based off the Firestorm, which from my experience working at the LHS has had some issues with breakages in the front end, usually the hinge pin brace, bulkhead, and upper deck. These breakages are likely the result of head-on or near head-on collisions, which shouldn't be an issue for the Blitz due to the nicely designed front bumper.

What caught my attention most about this truck is the way HPI secures the impact-absorbing parts to the chassis. The front and rear bumpers swivel on screws, while the plastic the bumpers are made of is very flexible. This combination is an excellent addition in my book. Not to mention the front bumper has an extra adjustment hole :lol:

The nerf bars offer the same flexibility, illustrated in my pictures below.

The tires are pretty significantly softer than the Slash tires, so they should hook up quite a bit better (not necessarily an issue for the stock motor...) but probably won't last as long. I think they're softer than the stock SC10 tires as well.

Another small thing that really stood out is HPI's use of screws. They are ALL hex head, and the majority of them have "12.9" stamped on the head. For those who don't know, Class 12.9 screws are some of the strongest you can buy, which means less bent screws (Slash has this issue in my experience) and the hex heads should last longer (as should your hex drivers).

HPI did a pretty good job with the shocks, they offer the suspension a feeling a million times better than the Slash. I personally like threaded preload adjustments, so that's a plus. On mine the back shocks feel dialed, but the fronts seem like they weren't bled properly due to a small amount of air in them. Not a big deal, it is a RTR after all.

Durability is up in the air at this point. I think it should be stronger than the SC10, and in my hands will probably hold up better than the stock Slash. I've only been behind the wheel of a Slash a couple times, but it wasn't nearly stock so I can't offer a fair comparison here. Only time will tell...

That's it for now, unfortunately I won't be able to provide a report on how it drives until tomorrow at the earliest (midterms/homework/essay) but I hope for the best!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/HPI%20Blitz/IMG_8495.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/HPI%20Blitz/IMG_8498.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/HPI%20Blitz/IMG_8472.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/HPI%20Blitz/IMG_8475.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/HPI%20Blitz/IMG_8477.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/HPI%20Blitz/IMG_8481.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/HPI%20Blitz/IMG_8482.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/HPI%20Blitz/IMG_8485.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/HPI%20Blitz/IMG_8490.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/HPI%20Blitz/IMG_8491.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/HPI%20Blitz/IMG_8493.jpg

And of course the view a buddy of mine (Slash owner) will become familiar with:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/HPI%20Blitz/IMG_8502.jpg

[loco_oso]

Looks sick man! Beautiful chassis!

[MetalMan]

Although I'm kinda short on time I went ahead and soldered on a Deans plug, topped off an old 2s Lipo, and took this truck for a spin. I must say, brushless/higher voltage has really spoiled me. It could be the fact that this 2s pack is at least 2 years old and was a 6400mah 15C (it's my best 2s...), but the Blitz's speed was far from impressive. I'd estimate about 25mph. Even in the small area of my back patio it was full throttle most of the time, this is where brushless has made me a good driver.

I purposely rammed into some objects just as minor stress tests and am happy to report that (so far) this truck flexes just right. A lot of the steering of this truck comes from the back end, but it'd be even better if there was a thicker fluid in the diff (assuming it contains grease). Temps on the stock electronics were great after 10mins of HARD driving, relative to the meek power output of the motor of course!

My original intentions were to keep this truck as stock as possible... But I'll never want to drive something so slow. To BL or not to BL, that is the question.

[TheJANG]

Looks awesome. Mind if I make this a new thread?

[MetalMan]

Absolutely not.

[TheJANG]

Sweet. Booyah!

[Zerohax369]

Looks really nice man, I have heard really good things about the potential of these trucks. They are right up there with the SC10 in terms of racing performance.

Ray :D

[TheJANG]

I had an opportunity to spend some quality time with one of these yesterday and it's still definitely my favorite SC on the market today, and I really appreciate the softness of the tires. The only thing that really disappoints me is the slop in the steering, especially when it's turned most of the way to either side. Nice balance, though, and lots of softer FRPs for durability.

[Zerohax369]

How can you fix the slop in it? Maybe some aftermarket manufacture or even HPI themselves will make something to fix it.

Ray :D

[TheJANG]

Yeah bellcranks and links with better tolerances would help, but part of the problem is the very geometry of the knuckles at the extreme angles, which puts the link, knuckle ball end, and kingpin all in nearly a straight line.

[thepaulness]

i just one one of these at i hobby. i cant wait to get it on the track

[MetalMan]

As you can imagine I took apart some of the front end to try to figure out why there's so much slop. Much of it comes from the connection between the bellcranks and the draglink, which are attached with a wimpy screw and bushing combo. Also, the bottoms of the bellcranks aren't attached to anything, there is simply a small bar connecting the two together (basically the whole bellcrank is only attached to the upper deck).

In the near future I might see if there's anything I can do to alleviate some of the slop (such as a bearing supported draglink and bellcranks).

[Zerohax369]

I assume there are no hop ups readily available yet to remedy this; yeah?

I'm thinking about buying a Blitz or SC10 next week some time :D.

Ray :D

[MetalMan]

The truck just came out! No readily available hopups yet, current parts support for Blitz-specific parts (Firestorm parts have been available) is weak.

I say go with the Blitz! It's a bit cheaper and IMO should hold up better.

[hpi blitz kid]

ya I have the Blitz to. I race it at rcexcitment in fitchburg

[bustedback]

The best looking and highest quality product I've ever seen from HPI.

[seth556]

Have you given in and put absurd amounts of power in it yet? Or are you still trying to avoid the thought of that?

[MetalMan]

I kept it with the stock power for about 2 weeks, and that was too long... Was really waiting for a good deal on a 17.5 motor to show up, which it did ($40 for Novak 17.5 in great shape). Ran it with a Sidewinder on 2s geared 26/88 (recommended by HPI) but it had lots of cogging. Then ran the same setup on 4s, it really moved once it was rolling!

Then came the MM Pro. AWESOME speed control and runs the 17.5 butter smooth. The Blitz goes about 40-45mph with this setup, and is extremely controllable because the Novak motor is pretty weak. This setup offers a very durable and fun to drive experience, especially since it's only been on asphalt.

So far the ONLY breakage for me has been a rear axle, actually one of the ears the dogbone sits on. It was an odd breakage if you ask me, and was the result of a hard side impact into a parking block. The rear hub didn't break, the dogbone doesn't look bent, and the ball cups are still on the ball studs.