Team [HOONIGAN]'s DRX(s)

[Danny B]

Found some specs for the full scale Fiesta so I did a bit of comparison to the DRX:

DRX Specs:
Wheelbase: 316mm
Width: 260mm
Length: 563mm

1:1 Specs:
Wheelbase: 2480mm
Width: 1820mm
Length: 3963
Gravel Rally Wheel: 15"

This tells us the model's scale is all over the place:
Wheelbase = 1:7.85
Width = 1:7
Length = 1:7.04
Wheel = 1:6

This gives us an average of 1:6.9725 scale.....Important to finding the right size tubing

Last week I also checked the specs of the fiesta but also the C4 to compare the scale of the drx and the c4 was closer but they are still both a bit off. They are too wide but as an rc car I can imagine this better for stability. I still think they both look good in scale though. As I side note the hpi wr8 is spot on for scale but who cares as we all own drx's ;-)

 

[pigeonfarmboy]

Yeah the wheels are the biggest thing that bother me on the DRX scale. 15" for gravel is what everyone around the world uses as the most common tire size available. Maybe the HPI wheels will fit on the DRX.....I'm ready to buy a WR8 the second they release them. Still unsure if I'll wait for the electric version or not.

 

[Danny B]

Yeah the wheels are the biggest thing that bother me on the DRX scale. 15" for gravel is what everyone around the world uses as the most common tire size available. Maybe the HPI wheels will fit on the DRX.....I'm ready to buy a WR8 the second they release them. Still unsure if I'll wait for the electric version or not.

I couldn't be bothered to wait for the wr8 and liked the fact the kyosho was a bit bigger. The hpi wr8 flux has been announced which I guess you know and have seen!?

 

[pigeonfarmboy]

Got everything mounted up, just need to wire everything and mount the under-body & Mudflaps!

 

[JJBTEXAS]

Why get the electric version of the WR8. The nitro sound will go so well with the rally car theme.

 

[Danny B]

Why get the electric version of the WR8. The nitro sound will go so well with the rally car theme.

That was also my personal opinion, but I can see why people get electric, I just had someone sell two drx's one to me simply because they are what his kids use but because of a new job he can't leave his kids with the nirto for safety reasons which is why he is selling up and going to electric. Got me a cheap drx though . Anyway don't want to drag this thread too off topic.

I live in the uk and trying to get myself a set of mp9 side guards! Talk about hard to find, may have to have them shipped from the US. Has anyone tried any other type of side guard that fits the drx and also do I need to mod the side guards at all to fit the drx?

Quick edit and info for everyone else: apparently kyosho have changed the mp9 side guards parts number to IF474!

 

[pigeonfarmboy]

I had to hack into the guards slighty and drill new holes in the side of the chassis for them to mount up.

Anyone that has to ask "Why electric?" obviously doesn't currently buy Nitro Fuel or run a Nitro car (with any regularity anyways). Now if HPI were able to cram that fancy new 1:8 Gas powerplant into one, it'd be a no-brainer for this guy.

The "Nitro Sound" is perhaps the most annoying sound in the universe to me. Especially when the operator uses the throttle trigger as an on/off switch.

 

[TURTLE]

Yeah I agree Nate. To me nitro is out dated, it doesn't go as fast, have as much torque, have reverse or control as electric. Plus it is a pain to tune. If all you want is the sound of the nitro your buying it for the wrong reason. They make sounds boards, plus they can actually sound like real rally cars instead of the whine of a nitro.

Nitro can be fun, but it requires some effort, a place with low altitude and a steady barometric pressure helps too. But in the long run it is going to be more expensive, especially if you are driving it a lot.

 

[pigeonfarmboy]

Yup. and not to sound like a jerk or anything to JJBTEXAS, but what's "Rally Theme"?

Because of the way I mounted the servo to the optional chassis to keep the upgraded steering geometry in tact, I had to come up with a solution to mount the battery. Went to Dollar General to pick up a cutting board and chop it to size. While this will raise my CG a bit, I don't think it will really have enough of a noticeable effect. I may have to make another one so more of the tray is supported though.

 

[Danny B]

Well the drx is my first nitro so that's why I'm not fed up of it yet haha. I just wanted to give it a go. I will inevitably probably end up going electric but not yet. Anyway nice work on the drx's. And those side guards are so hard to find over here in the uk, still no luck, found some but not stock.

Also can someone help me regards the shocks. The standard shocks seem really really soft, when watching all the videos it looks like it bogs down too much when corner. Is this the case? Or are the shocks actually ok as they are?

 

[pigeonfarmboy]

You'll get sick of cleaning up that nitro bs I ordered the side guards from amain. You can order direct from Kyosho as well. Hard to believe you wouldn't have a UK distributor.

You can always change to a stiffer shock oil. Not sure what comes in it stock but it feels pretty light. 25wt is pretty common. Try some 40 or 50 if you want better dampening.

 

[TURTLE]

This is how #1 currently sits. This body is holding up well compared to the Fiesta.

 

[desertmaxx]

two things. you complain about this! this is awesome(and so realistic)! also i find it also ironic that dirty likes this.:mrgreen:

Awesome Shot Juan! Got some more?:mrgreen:




Hell YES!!! The body is too good looking not to get it.:mrgreen:

So a little update:

The one problem I have had with the DRX so far is the body, it might as well be made of glass.:shock:

Chunks of the body were laying on the track after I hit a jump and landed on all 4s.

This was all from today, the front end damage was from a collision with Rodney's DRX, his was unharmed though. Rodney also added half a bottle of Shoe Goo to the inside of his body. :ror: So that is the plan for the next body and to try and put this one back together enough to use as a practice body.

Car drove great today besides the body exploding.

Oh these also really need an underbody.:shock: The DRX is getting a complete tear down this week and a underbody of some type HAS to go on.

 

[RPMJ]

Some photos from today after the scale comp....

 

[RPMJ]

 

[TURTLE]

Nice work buddy. Those cars look so good and real, I love it!

 

[cbp27]

This is a really informative build thread! I was about to buy a DRX over a year ago, but didn't want another nitro, and wasn't sure about an electric conversion. Maybe I'll build one of these instead of waiting for the WR8. Really great looking bodies Turtle!

Are you using the MP9 Mud Guards (#IF452) on the rear A-arms? And are the aluminum chassis braces and other hop-ups a must have?

 

[TURTLE]

This is a really informative build thread! I was about to buy a DRX over a year ago, but didn't want another nitro, and wasn't sure about an electric conversion. Maybe I'll build one of these instead of waiting for the WR8. Really great looking bodies Turtle!

Are you using the MP9 Mud Guards (#IF452) on the rear A-arms? And are the aluminum chassis braces and other hop-ups a must have?

Thank you, a lot of credit goes to Rodney he got me to bite the bullet. I say go for it. The DRX is a ton of fun and still my favorite rig to drive. I don't think any of the upgrades are necassary, I just had some money burning a hole in my pocket. :ror: Plus they stiffen up the chassis and allow for more precise handing characteristics. But for durability purposes I don't think they are necessary.

For the mud guards on the rear it is actually just pieces of black styrene that I shaped to fit on the rear end. There were existing screw holes on the a arms that I bolted them too. Im not sure if those mud guards would work, they might require some trimming and styrene is really easy to work with and cheap.

 

[TURTLE]

Love this thing! The stock tires are now slicks, besides that the DRX is a tank. Even the body is holding up perfectly, I think the Fiesta body was a fluke.

 

[TURTLE]

Finally cooked my stock tires. This rig is so realistic they ripped apart and flew in the air.:ror:

Got some new tires and wheels on and finally broke this car, first thing to break. Slide sideways into a rock and the wheel popped right off. Only damage is a broken stub shaft.

And picked this body up a little while ago. Now to find the time to paint it.