HPI Pro 4 vs. Tamiya 415

[RH Customs]

I am thinking about buying a new kit and I would like to here opinions on these two kits. Currently I have a TC3 and a super decked out HPI Pro 3 with all woven carbon graphite and aluminum. All opinion on both kit or other kits is welcome.

[JimmyMac]

Question, why would you want to go away from the TC3? It's a great car with tons of support and it's very easy to get parts for. Performs well on just about every surface (carpet, asphalt, etc).

But if you are just looking to try out something different... then both the Pro4 or 415 would be a great pick. Can you get parts for both? I'd imagine the Pro4 will have a longer time line than the 415 as Tamiya upgrades their kits rather fast.

I currently race the 415 and Yokomo SD. Both are great cars. The 415 is very smooth. Handling is just awesome. No front diff is available for this car, so you'd have to piece one together from parts from other cars. There is a front spool out for this car from SpeedtechRC. And Tamiya will offer a "fixed" center pulley set next month to replace the center oneway. But if you only race asphalt or rubber tire carpet.. then the front oneway shouldn't be a problem for ya. Pro4 has both oneway or diffs. The 415 response very well to tiny changes. Electronics space is very limited. Pr04 has alittle more. Diff access for the 415 is pain since you have to take off the bulk heads and top plates. Same as adjusting the belt tension (but once set, you should be just fine for awhile). Tamiya will however offer a limited release belt tensioner. Pro4 diff access is not quite as easy the the TC3... and no where near as easy as the Yokomo SD (only 2 screws and diff is out). Running 28mm foam tires on the 415 might be hard to do. Not sure about the Pro4.

Parts access for the 415 is both hard and easy to find. Special parts like bulk heads or shock towers might be hard to find stateside unless if you order from SpeedtechRC. Towerhobbies might carry them as well. But normal stuff like suspension arms and knuckle are easy since the TA04 cars have the same suspension. Pro4 parts like arms are hard to get stateside, but they are starting to come around (new car).

I think both cars are nice. I've seen the Pro4 in person. But never drove it. I absolutely love my 415. And I love my Yokomo SD as well. I think it'll just be personal preferrence as to which car you should get.

[HYPA]

They are both fantastic cars and the only thing that would sway me towards the Pro 4 would be the cost of the Tamiya. Apart from the cost I would go the 415 all the way. I have never built a HPI kit (I have seen many) so I can't really comment on them but I have owned/built a TRF414M World Champion Replica. If the 415 is anything like my 414 then I can't see a good reason not to buy it. Tamiya parts are absolutely the best quality you can get and they build like a dream. After owning the 414 I believe that Tamiya makes the allround best touring cars and the only thing that lets them down is the cost. I am currently trying to scrape together some cash for a new tourer and the 415 is at the top of my list along with the Evo IV when it comes out this month.

[JimmyMac]

Evo IV comes out next month on the 16th in Japan. So look for it around August Stateside. The 415 is around $390 at SpeedtechRC. The Evo IV will be about $370 est. I've had the 414M2 and it was a very nice car. Only thing I didn't like was the saddle packs. So I switched to the Evo III after that.

[TRF Drive Hard]

Well my friend must have all the bad luck... his experience with the pro4 has been negative... the front diff bevel gear stripped along with the shaft gear... he heard a clicking noise... when he opened the diff case 3 black pieces were found... from the gears broken off... and the gear was warped too... while taking off the upper deck , one screw was not unscrewing... we thought he stripped the case... turns out a part of the diff case broke... he didnt even hit anything when we raced the last following saturday... so now he wants to sell it on ebay... he's been upset about as i thought this was the touring car for him... his sport 2 has never failed him once... he got me getting more parts for his sport 2 rather than fix up the pro4... too bad he feels like that... i myself own the 415... i have had great results and very impressed out of all the tamiya chassis' i own... and now the ev04 is coming out... gotta make room on the shelf :p

[DaFF]

I think it is more going to be a personnal preference between shaft car ( Pro 4) or belt car ( 415 )

I personaly own a Pro 4.

Not that I dislike the belt, but my personnal preference goes for the shaft.
I won't go on the shaft / belt debate, but IMHO shaft presents more advantages, for one the maintenance=0 and it can accept mod motors without even having to think about it ( I run a BL setup )

I can't comment on the 415 since I don't own it, but all I can say about the Pro 4 is:

- From the Pro3, the Pro4 is a HUGE step in the right direction - Beside, even the TC3 is outdated now... not saying the TC3 doesn't performs, just saying there is now new TC cars and that Asso is already working on a new version of their TC3.
- One of the lightest car of the crop
- Everything is adjustable ( and more !), yet it performs awesome with box settings
- You get a let lot for your hard earned money ( i.e. no need for hop-ups, everything is included )
- The transmission is extremly free - ball bearing are top notch quality -
- Despite what was said earlier, the car is one tough beast
- Design is well though
- Parts fits, finish and material are top notch - especially the graphite parts that are very very stiff
- It all goes together smoothly
- Accept all sort of battery pack, from saddle to side / side.

With this car, you know HPI won't let you down. They are already correcting the little flaw of the very first version, like the gears have been updated, the shaft cup as well.

Hara's winnings with the Pro 4 proves that HPI did the right move with this car.

My only dislikes are:

- torque steer: with some powerfull motor you can feel it.
- parts availability was pretty bad at the beginning, but it was expected on a brand new car and it is getting better.
- The dual deck design can lead to some chassis tweak, but there is solution to this

DFF