The Hyper 9 is a completely new design from the ground up with many new and innovative ideas. Several criteria were set and met in this new design. Weight was number one and always a concern with every part designed for the buggy. Next, in order of importance, was side to side balance, low center of gravity, ground clearance, all on as narrow a chassis as possible.
On the performance side, the buggy had to accelerate, corner, jump and land better than any other buggy on the market. Here we shall explain how we acheived those goals.
Keep it Light
The number one goal in the new design was to keep the Hyper 9 light weight. Reduced weight equals faster acceleration and cornering speed. Smaller 8x14mm bearings have been used throughout the chassis (except for the rear 8x16mm wheel hub bearings). The number of screws was reduced, the plastic was reduced and the amount of aluminum used was reduced. The part count in total has also been reduced.
Chassis Balance
The engine was moved toward the center by using a 40 tooth spur gear and keeping the 13 tooth clutch bell. In doing this, the center drive line angles are also straighter, reducing scrub on the joint pins.
Moving the engine closer to the center drive line did not allow room for the rear brake on the center outdrive, so the disk was moved to the rear pinion shaft. The engine was then angled 25 degrees toward the center for four reasons.
- Allowed clearance between engine mount flange and center drive shaft.
- Moved weight toward center of chassis.
- Lowered center of gravity.
- Pulled pipe toward center of chassis. All this combined with the asymmetric aluminum chassis plate balances the buggy left to right with a half tank of fuel.
Ground Clearance
Ground clearance has been something overlooked for years by most 1/8 scale designs. The chassis has been shortened for clearance front and rear while keeping the same wheel base as the Hyper 8.5. The bend for the 10 degree kick up in the nose has been moved forward as much as possible to increase clearance. The aluminum chassis plate has been reduced in size, cut on all four corners, and the side guards have been angled up for extra clearance. This is especially important when the chassis leans and squats while exiting a corner.
Gearing
The buggy accelerates and has greater top end speed because of the 11/43 gear combination at the front/rear gear boxes and the 13/40 combination at the center differential. The faster spinning center differential also reduces the torque effect of the engine.
Better Cornering and Better Jumping
Most of the testing for the new Hyper 9 was setting roll center points front and rear for better balance through the corners and better jumping. The new buggy has better matching roll centers that make the buggy more consistent as the track conditions change.
The Hyper 9 runs stiffer front springs, and the front end rides higher. This, combined with the reduced weight, allows the buggy to jump further (chassis does not scrub off speed on face of jump) and recovers from landings faster (chassis does not bottom out as hard).
HBM9-S - Hyper 9 Pro Racing Buggy
- No, E-clips, Inboard hinge pins in captive supports front and rear. Outboard hinge pins secured with setscrew
- New front and rear brake sets
- T-shape linkage arm for 25° slanted engine and brake set
- One-piece battery box base and side guard for lower centre of gravity
- Big bore threaded body shock absorbers
- Lightweight one-piece wing and mount for improved weight distribution
- New servo saver and steering assembly for improved reliability and adjustment
- Unique 25° slanted engine to balance cars centre of gravity
- Titanium turnbuckles
- Smart pull for fuel tank to improve re-fueling
- Reduced weight, ground clearance & chassis width all make for improved jumping and cornering ability
Front C-Hub and Steering Knuckles
The C-hub and steering knuckle has been reduced in size and weight. The kingpin axes are directly in the center of the front tires. This reduces the shock on the steering servo when hitting rocks, holes and pipes. Front bump-steer has been eliminated with longer front tie rods and better alignment.
Adjustable Ackerman
The ackerman is a very important adjustment and sometimes overlooked by most racers. The Hyper 9 has three ackerman positions for steering from mild to wild. The throttle/brake bellcrank is angled 25 degrees inline with the carburetor so no binding occurs. The bellcrank also allows the servo to be laid down and moved forward for better weight distribution. The brake linkage is a very simple wire with a z-bend, not a bunch of little parts held together with bolts and nuts. Brake bias is very easily adjusted with a nylon nut on the threaded rod end.
Rear Wing
The rear wing mount is a small block mounted on the rear shock tower and the formula style wing is held on by four screws. The mounting area on the wing is thick to prevent braking and tearing. This greatly reduces the weight and lowers the CG. A more traditional wing mount will be available as an option part so racers can use different wings.
Fuel Tank
The fuel tank is made oversize with a filler insert that screws down inside to allow the tank to be adjusted to maximum capacity. The tank lid is designed to provide a perfect seal every time it is closed even when the tank is hot or cold. This is due to the newly designed spring touching only the middle of the self centering lid with a V-shaped seal
Shocks
Shock absorber testing has resulted in a new threaded version of the already well proven Hobao big bore shocks being used. These have been anodised black with red anodising for the spring tensioners and caps to give the pro look.
