Jus bought a used Baja 5b , or what I thought was a Baja. Got on Craigslist and it was advertised as a roller Met up with the guy and he told me he bought off eBay running. He ran it for a while until the top end needed rebuild. Anyway how do I tell if it's HPI? My suspicion is it isn't . The chassis is orange and it has Rovan tires. I think I got swindled. But all is not lost as I intended to rebuild anyway. Jus would like to know if it is HPI . Thanks
New here ha a a question
- Thread starter Bigmd
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
myrcbud
Well-Known Member
It could very well be an original hpi with Rovan aftermarket parts. Unfortunately if too much has actually been replaced then there's really no way to tell. I used to run with a guy who ran a hpi baja in Florida and used to buy Rovan sand tires simply because they're cheaper. Then he saw some shiny Rovan after market parts and before you know it it would be hard to tell the difference between the two.
- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks man. After I posted I searched and found lots of info. My chassis is orange but every thing else seems HPI . Gas tank starlight knurled shock adj. also. Black plastics walbro carb.rcessed knuckle bolts. What I can tell is this thing has been abused. Bent motor mount and shock towers. Broke crank case and cover. I paid 300 for roller with no electrics. Not sure if it's a deal but I have work cut out for me. Already have parts listed to order. Also have manual and HPI tool kit on way. Gonna start from front and rebuild. As soon as I get chassis off it's getting powder coated. Has aftermarket HPI pipe on it too. But motor is trashed. He said top end is shot but I'm wondering if broken crankcase is reason I can't pull cord.
- Thread starter
- #4
Ok so after further tear down the motor is a Rovan. So I'm guessing this is not HPI . But I will continue with the rebuild. I ordered a bunch of HPI parts for the front end. Gonna stick with stock replacement and upgrade where necessary . I orderd the front HPI aluminum shock tower. The motor is completely frozen. Won't budge at all. Clutch is fried and clutch springs where broke. This thing had a hard life. My question is should I bother with rebuild or just by HPI 26 off eBay . I found it for 105.00 shipped.
I say rebuild and I'll tell ya why.
My friend bought a new Hpi years ago and I cheaped out and bought the king motor clone. We both started breaking parts stock and started upgrading, matching eachother cars almost part for part. Turtle racing pullstart, clutches and transmissions etc. I even had to replace my steering servo. All said and done, we both now have what we like to call "bulletproof" bajas.
The difference between our cars? Nothing except he has nearly spent $1000 more than I have to get to the same point.
If you have already spent 300, enjoy the hobby for what it is. You're going to break stock parts later anyways. Start making your upgrades now. Rpm arms, bumpers etc
Ultimately you'll end up with a baja far superior to the hpi.
I should also note my old km motor was much faster and latest longer than his hpi. He's a mechanic and takes care of everything. Mine just lasted a long time! My bearings also lasted longer than his, and we only ran together under nearly exact same conditions.
It's all how you take care of stuff!
My friend bought a new Hpi years ago and I cheaped out and bought the king motor clone. We both started breaking parts stock and started upgrading, matching eachother cars almost part for part. Turtle racing pullstart, clutches and transmissions etc. I even had to replace my steering servo. All said and done, we both now have what we like to call "bulletproof" bajas.
The difference between our cars? Nothing except he has nearly spent $1000 more than I have to get to the same point.
If you have already spent 300, enjoy the hobby for what it is. You're going to break stock parts later anyways. Start making your upgrades now. Rpm arms, bumpers etc
Ultimately you'll end up with a baja far superior to the hpi.
I should also note my old km motor was much faster and latest longer than his hpi. He's a mechanic and takes care of everything. Mine just lasted a long time! My bearings also lasted longer than his, and we only ran together under nearly exact same conditions.
It's all how you take care of stuff!
- Thread starter
- #6
Thank you . Rebuild has already started. And I have rpm arms on the way . Should I try to rebuild the motor or just get a replacement? Kinda wanna stick with stock since it's my first gas powered vehicle. eBay has HPI 26 for just over 100 bucks shipped.
Oh man. There are so many options available!
I'm trying to think what I'd recommend. I'd day, if you can repair that one for cheap I'd do that because you will learn how an engine works and since it's sorta messed up now anyways you don't have to be too worried about digging into it.
If you're going to go over 100, then I'd probably grab a new one,but I woukdnt bother with a used one cuz you may end up doing work to it shortly anyways.
I almost went for an OBR motor but decided to go with an RCMK from gizmomotors. It seemed cost efficient, and man this think flies! My friend now wants an rcmk one after seeing how great mine runs. Starts first pull everytime and I've been using it for 2 years.
Check some reviews though, lots of great 4 bolt motors out there!
In a perfect world, you should grab a new one and fix your old one as a spare (not that I've ever needed a spare anyways)
Oh! Number one thing u can do to make it laat is keep that air filter spotless! I race motocross and I can tell you how important it is. I feel many rc people don't understand importance of that!
I highly recommend using no toil air filter oil and u can wash your filters soo ez even with the washer machine using oxyclean powder as the cleaner.
To make the filter job even easier, check out the blur quick air filter system DDM sells. It makes popping the entire air filter assembly off a snap by just making one quick turn
I'm trying to think what I'd recommend. I'd day, if you can repair that one for cheap I'd do that because you will learn how an engine works and since it's sorta messed up now anyways you don't have to be too worried about digging into it.
If you're going to go over 100, then I'd probably grab a new one,but I woukdnt bother with a used one cuz you may end up doing work to it shortly anyways.
I almost went for an OBR motor but decided to go with an RCMK from gizmomotors. It seemed cost efficient, and man this think flies! My friend now wants an rcmk one after seeing how great mine runs. Starts first pull everytime and I've been using it for 2 years.
Check some reviews though, lots of great 4 bolt motors out there!
In a perfect world, you should grab a new one and fix your old one as a spare (not that I've ever needed a spare anyways)
Oh! Number one thing u can do to make it laat is keep that air filter spotless! I race motocross and I can tell you how important it is. I feel many rc people don't understand importance of that!
I highly recommend using no toil air filter oil and u can wash your filters soo ez even with the washer machine using oxyclean powder as the cleaner.
To make the filter job even easier, check out the blur quick air filter system DDM sells. It makes popping the entire air filter assembly off a snap by just making one quick turn
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #8
Gonna prob jus go for new motor. This one is in bad shape. Clutch spring sheared in half. Other one missing . Clutch has nothing left. Clutch bell has ridges worn into it. Motor was frozen until I got loose with channel locks. I'll salvage pull start and carb, it's a walbro.