jamstar47

which is better ive been looking for at the hpi firestorm for a while know and ive just found the team losi desert truck which do u recommend? which has the most hop ups? which is most durable? which is faster?

Chris_RC

The Desert Truck by far has the most hop ups. It is a Losi that uses the xxx-t chassis design so you can find parts pretty much anywhere. IMO I think they have the same durability, but I have not driven the E Firestorm. In videos it looks like the E Firestorm is maybe 1-3MPH faster, but then the Desert Truck was made for offraod and not speed runs. Get a Sidewinder 4600 or 5700 in the DT and it FLIES.

Frozen72

I would get the E-Firestorm. It's advantages over the Losi DT are:
All Steel Tranny
Durability
HPI Alloy Parts

I don't know about speed but it should be pretty close. The DT does have better electronics though minus the motor.

Chris_RC

Well the E Firestorm might have alloy option parts, but the DT has graphite and can be used with the cariable length arms for added tuning options, the new EA3 composite that comes with their new race trucks, and some ebay seller have aluminum parts. Their durability are pretty much the same and the Losi has the spider gear diff which is just as smooth as the ball diff but can be easily changed for more adjustment.

Frozen72

HPI makes carbon parts the Firstorm. A Ball Diff can't handle as much power as a Steel Spider Gear Diff.

Checkpointracer

You could not go wrong with either one trust me, but I would take the DT simply because you get a bit more for your money, the DT comes with a spectrum radio I think, and its a little more showy (lights etc) IMO. My friend has a firestorm though and that is a very nice truck too.

sloppyG

and which of these two trucks do you think has a ball diff?

Frozen72

Neither of them have one but Chris_RC was saying the the option for a Ball Diff on the DT is a advantage when the Losi Ball Diff can't handle much power at all.

Chris_RC

Well it is when you are racing. And I beg to differ that the Losi Ball Diff cant handle much power at all. I mean have you ever seen [link=http://youtube.com/watch?v=8a-bz8RJ4aA]THIS[/link] video before? Novak GTB 3.5R with a xxx-cr buggy hauling and doing wheelies.

sloppyG

plenty of people do put a ton of power though those diffs without issue (losi)

a ball diff is lighter, has less drag (motor HP wasted), and is more tunable (tightening or loosening give an effect like thicker or thinner oil in a viscous diff)


if you're just bashing, that probably doesn't matter though, and a gear diffs do require less maintenance which is nice

ozium

So far after about 3 months I haven't had a single problem with the drivetrain on my DT. I'm running a MM/Velineon on a 3S lipo and about 1 month ago I decided to intentionally try to break something...anything...in the drivetrain just to see how strong or weak it is...but I couldn't break anything. I tightened the slipper until it couldn't be tightened anymore but I didn't strip or break a single thing. I did several full reverse to full forward throttle jumps and nothing broke or stripped. Several weeks of full throttle landings and still no damage. The body is beat to hell from doing so many flips, but the drivetrain is fine.

I don't know anything about the Firestorm, but I wouldn't mind giving the Flux a testdrive.

TraxxasTrucks

I agree the durability of the Firestorm is insane. You cant really go wrong with a steel trany and alloy parts. I have yet to drive this little sucker but from what I have seen..... I want one.

Chris_RC

Lets see the advantages over the E Firestorm are.

I would get the Losi Desert Truck. It's advantages over the E Firestorm are:
Working LCD front and rear lights for driving in the dark
Front and Rear rolle cages for extra durability. You will never break a shock tower or a arm again.
2.4ghz radio with Spectrum technology that only uses 4 batteries instead of 8
aluminum oil filled shocks
chrome wheels with all terrain tires make it great for offraod and onroad

ElectricGuy007

Hard to say which one is better because I'm the only person on here that has both.
I'm using them for different scenario's though. Both I got for racing, just in different classes,
the Desert Truck is gonna stay stock for the traxxas slash spec class, then when the class dies(if ever) I'll have a 2wd truck for backup.
The E-firestorm is gonna be ran in Modified Truck, or has been 2 race weekends on it and couple practice days, again no parts broken.
Both trucks are about the same on the durability department, the desert truck has been to the track at a practice day and have not broke it yet.

All I gota say is I like both trucks, not 1 is better than the other.

chevroletman17

Yeah i have to agree with B44. i have also drivin both trucks. both were stock and they both are awesome. i bought the losi just because of how sweet it is and the 2.4 radio. they both can take a beating and are awesome bashers.