Can't believe I'm saying this...

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jaygreig

jaygreig

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Location
Terre Haute, Indiana
Well,
I am working on a HPI 5T to give to my nephew, and I cannot get over the major differences between this and the T1000A I got in January.
I had read a lot about steering slop fixes, ball ends being way too loose, throttle linkages binding, etc, etc. I was fully prepared to have to address all of these things once the kit arrived. Well, after I got it, I took it almost down to kit form...rebuilt shocks, replaced all fluids with Lucas silicone, loctited every screw/bolt into metal, zeroed the servos, made axle boot protectors, etc.
Now to the point, I am going over this kit shaking my head. The T1000A came with RPM style arms, a TR style enclosed clutch housing, oversize (yes I measured them) ball links, a larger engine, and a "tuned" pipe...I know I'm probably going to get absolutely roasted for this, but now having them side by side...the KM is just better...for what you get and the price you get it for. Any of the weak points I have found on the KM are also weak points on the HPI. With the major difference being...you have the extra scratch to make those necessary upgrades since it cost less than half of what you'd have paid for the HPI.
Now it's downsides obviously arise if you plan to do any sanctioned racing or for getting KM parts locally. Personally my LHS doesn't stock ANYTHING 1/5 scale, so I would be in the same boat regardless. The support after the sale from Dan was pretty awesome. The fact that I needed any seemed to be kind of a fluke. He sent me a new carb no questions asked, other than trying to get me running.
I didn't write this post to start some kind of flame war or piss anyone off. I am the owner of my hobby which is financed by my money. I just thought that for all of the crap I had gotten from others both online and in person for buying a "junk clone" is so unfounded I am amazed. I will say on more than one occasion I have watched others carry their cars back to the bench while mine is still ripping it up. If you happen to be in the market for a 1/5 scale and are thinking about getting a KM, don't let the ideas and opinions of others sway you from a solid kit. The "name" brands all have their issues too...the Losi 5ive for example is fairly bulletproof, still some minor issues. The point is, it's your money, if you want to save some by getting a KM, that's your choice...
 
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There's a saying: "if it ain't broke, upgrade it"

Id rather get a km which has a slightly powerful motor and is 4 bolt and save that 500$ that i would have put it in the hpi to get TR products from racing clutch to quick diff, upper plates and shock towers.
 
My T1000 also has the RPM style arms and they've held up great.
Se this post: https://www.largescaleforums.com/showpost.php?p=187165&postcount=9

The weak points on mine has been:
Rear shock brace (alu way too soft - replaced mine with a HPI SS brace)
Rear top plate (alu too soft - replaced mine with a TR plate)
Front top plate (alu too soft - replaced mine with a used TR plate)
Servo saver (plastic is too thin broke after about 5 hours of running - replaced mine with a HPI original)

I've added a lot of goodies over time but those parts mentioned should be replaced as soon as possible in my opinion.
 
I have to agree with you. On all of my 8th scale stuff I replace a lot of stuff for tougher parts. Since do a lot of upgrades, I decided to buy a KM with not bells and whistles (like being able to get the larger 4 bolt for a low price), and over time, I'll make it the truck I want.
 
You will still get bashed at Races don't matter what u put into it. Plus watch your baja at all times or have someone with u the hpi guys will fiddlestick ur engine up turning & adjusting ur carb needle just so u & ur track look bad bc its a clone. They don't want u to win just look bad I went to Rc Acres had that happen to me. My engine ran totally fine until I left unattended to go sign in came back get resdy for race I started the engine I had no get up & go.So if anyone goes to race there clone baja just watch it don't ever leave ur truck alone.Even with guys that u think may be ur friend don't trust them.
 
That is pathetic. Those of us who have served did so ensure the right of Americans so make our own choices. If someone chooses to buy an HPI, I support that choice. If someone decides to buy a clone, then I support that choice too. I hear the HPI guys talking about the presence of clones being a danger to the hobby. The real thing that is a danger to the hobby is elitism. Believing that you choice makes you better or more privileged than others is just plain wrong. Make your choice and stop hammering others for theirs. Whatever price point someone can afford to come into the hobby at, so be it.
 
Well I have had both HPI and KM and I'd go with the KM any day.I sunk about 2k (GBP) into the HPI to make it near bullet proof and not a great deal into the KM...everyone has their opinion and that should be respected.
J
 
I've owned a Hpi Baja long time ago( 23cc fm version) and now a Rovan 26 Baja and a 30.5 km Baja. This km I have has actually been great to my suprise. Even thru I got it used ( og mailing box shows 2013) its only had few things changed its held up great!
 
I had recently signed up at the other forum which we all know what it is, and from what I see is still very anti clone,,, and in one of the posts,, a thing was mentioned about ,, I think was uber rc's dogbones having a lifetime warranty,, and I posted,, with lots of companies leaving the rc industry,, a lifetime warranty is only good if they are still in business,, and bunch of others agreed,, but than the hating of clones came out,,one of the supporters who makes parts,, hell, I have bought and have on my truck now,, went all anti clone, how china steals the ideas,, makes them cheaper etc etc etc,, how should by American etc, I said hell ,,, the chevy Camaro isn't American anymore,,, entirely built in Canada,, only thing American is the emblem,, anyways, I have no issues one way or the other,,, hell I bought the car cause wanted to get a Baja cheap,, and well,,, I did,, at 330 bucks for a 001 roller, great car,, they should be happy I did,,,my car, now a truck is probably closer to 85 percent aftermarket right now,,, soon I can take all the stock km items,, and build another baja
 
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I agree. All these clone hates thinking that the clones kill the the aftermarket support but in actuality, the help it grow more because more people can afford to get into 5th scales. Look at 99% of the people with a clone, they buy the name brand aftermarket parts. And can afford to buy more from the money saved vs the name brand kits.
 
xscrick said:
I had recently signed up at the other forum which we all know what it is, and from what I see is still very anti clone,,, and in one of the posts,, a thing was mentioned about ,, I think was uber rc's dogbones having a lifetime warranty,, and I posted,, with lots of companies leaving the rc industry,, a lifetime warranty is only good if they are still in business,, and bunch of others agreed,, but than the hating of clones came out,,one of the supporters who makes parts,, hell, I have bought and have on my truck now,, went all anti clone, how china steals the ideas,, makes them cheaper etc etc etc,, how should by American etc, I said hell ,,, the chevy Camaro isn't American anymore,,, entirely built in Canada,, only thing American is the emblem,, anyways, I have no issues one way or the other,,, hell I bought the car cause wanted to get a Baja cheap,, and well,,, I did,, at 330 bucks for a 001 roller, great car,, they should be happy I did,,,my car, now a truck is probably closer to 85 percent aftermarket right now,,, soon I can take all the stock km items,, and build another baja
Click to expand...

What in the world was he talking about buy American?? HPI is a Japanese company with a product made in China! What's "American" about that?
 
I think was more concerned the foreign countries are taking the ideas that many of these American companies that provide aftermarket parts for the cars and running them out of business with cheap prices,, and in many cases , inferior parts.. king motor has a rear bumper for the Baja,, pretty much a copy of the modified rc's at half the price,,, gonna buy the modified rc one,,, seen the abuse they can take,,, and they will fix them if u really mess them up,,, king motor wont do that,,, u buy it,, u break it,, u buy another,,, I have no issues either way,, if I did I would have spent a grand for the hpi buggy vs 330 bucks for the king motor,, ultimately when im done, will be able to put hpi Baja stickers on it,, wont be any king motor left on it,, maybe the body,,, still looking at engines now and saving a little money for one,, thinking gizmo or obr,, hmm and the bartolone torpedo pipe,,
 
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I would never break a KM part and replace it with another KM part. That is just sacrilege!!! When a part breaks it's the perfect excuse for me to upgrade!!
 
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