?TRX or HPI?
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?TRX or HPI?
I was wondering if I could get some opinions about which rc I should get next. I think Ive narrowed it down to the Merv or the Savage xs. I
want something to just beat up thats fast! My Summit is great but slow and I dont have any fast rcs. Are there any 1/16 trucks that are better than these 2? My budget is around $500 but id like to get a new truck and add about $200 worth of hop ups.
want something to just beat up thats fast! My Summit is great but slow and I dont have any fast rcs. Are there any 1/16 trucks that are better than these 2? My budget is around $500 but id like to get a new truck and add about $200 worth of hop ups.
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RE: ?TRX or HPI?
Well I guess this is a sore subject. After watching probably every video on utube im going with the merv. Ive got $500 to spend so - $280 still got plenty to go ahead and fix all the problems(springs, shock oil, servo, tires) and as they break ill replace the shafts with steel.
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RE: ?TRX or HPI?
I have a merv with a couple hundred extra bucks in it, I was going to do a write up on most of the stuff that exists for it. The main mods I consider absolutely essential are (deep breath)...
CVDs (plastic driveshafts? Not in my garage sorry)
Alloy steering tie rods, camber links and pushrods (the stockers bend like plasticene its hilarious)
Center diff (otherwise, forget handling)
Extended wheelbase rear arms (makes it a real little truggy)
Alloy shock set with brown springs and 70wt oil up front and black springs with 80wt oil in back.
A heatsink for the motor (yeh, you need it unless you live in Alaska or Norway or something).
It has a few other things on it too, like the response tires (makes it even more like a truggy), golden horizons alloy center drive shafts (don't bother with them, they're crap, I'll let you know if I find any others that are better), rpm bumpers (nice) and the proline baja bug body (painted pink, since I let teh wife think its hers).
[link=http://s613.photobucket.com/user/foxy42_s2k/media/RC/5-body-off-full_zps236b6a8f.jpg.html][/link]
[link=http://s613.photobucket.com/user/foxy42_s2k/media/RC/3-rear-angle_zps3be73d65.jpg.html][/link]
[link=http://s613.photobucket.com/user/foxy42_s2k/media/RC/2-front-angle2_zps199362ad.jpg.html][/link]
I'm under no illusions that the little Savage isn't more durable, I'm sure it is, but I bet it don't handle like my Merv, or even close, no matter what they've done to it. This thing literally handles better than my 1/8th truggy with $1500 in it, drives like its on rails.
EDIT: Oh, yeh, the traxxas polished alloy ball ends are essential too, sorry. It's an expensive little truck to be honest.
EDIT: Oh, yeh, the traxxas polished alloy ball ends are essential too, sorry. It's an expensive little truck to be honest.
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RE: ?TRX or HPI?
Nice, Ive been thinking about what tires to get, every1 says the dirt hawgs. I would really like the trenchers but proline is out if stock and im not waiting! Next tuesday is long enough and I dont want to drive it til its complete bc im gonna sell all the stock stuff( tires, shafts, servo)
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RE: ?TRX or HPI?
Well, as with all RC at any scale, if you care about performance, you care about the weight of your rotating parts, particularly wheel and tire, and these are the lightest available I believe. I'm not a huge fan of white dish as a look, but the performance is nice and they do go well with the paneled body. I strongly recommend these tires, hook up on everything too, from asphalt to loose dust.
You dodged a bullet on those trenchers, again my opinion, but most of the tires that others use are way too heavy.
You dodged a bullet on those trenchers, again my opinion, but most of the tires that others use are way too heavy.
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RE: ?TRX or HPI?
Yeah and those r cheap. I wish they made a black dish wheel tho. Cant do the white. I like my rcs murdered out as much as possible.
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RE: ?TRX or HPI?
I could be wrong but I think that tire is lifted and causing the suspension to be compressed. That is why the spring is tight.
Foxy, love your bug body. It looks alot like the one I had back when I had my Merv. Very fun truck! I did just about everything to it.
Summit, if you are mainly using your Merv for bashing I highly recommend T-Bone bumpers (pictured) for the thing. It will save you a lot of broken parts in the long run. I agree, heavy beadlocks will take their toll on the Merv's knuckles, axles, etc... I had them initially on my Merv with the PL Road Rage and Dirt Hawg tires before switching to plastic dished wheels. My Merv handled way better with them.
One more thing venting the stock body will help keep the electronics cool! The stock Traxxas VXLm system gets hot. Granted it needs to be geared right. Heatsinks and fans can help a little but venting is a major factor. I found the stock Merv body enclosed the chassis too much. At least with my experience with the Merv.
Foxy, love your bug body. It looks alot like the one I had back when I had my Merv. Very fun truck! I did just about everything to it.
Summit, if you are mainly using your Merv for bashing I highly recommend T-Bone bumpers (pictured) for the thing. It will save you a lot of broken parts in the long run. I agree, heavy beadlocks will take their toll on the Merv's knuckles, axles, etc... I had them initially on my Merv with the PL Road Rage and Dirt Hawg tires before switching to plastic dished wheels. My Merv handled way better with them.
One more thing venting the stock body will help keep the electronics cool! The stock Traxxas VXLm system gets hot. Granted it needs to be geared right. Heatsinks and fans can help a little but venting is a major factor. I found the stock Merv body enclosed the chassis too much. At least with my experience with the Merv.
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RE: ?TRX or HPI?
Ok so here is the list Ive come up with...
Merv(obviously)
Response tires on the white wheel(just gonna paint them black)
All traxxas steel axles and shafts
Hitec 5086 waterproof servo
Center diff
Black and tan springs
2s lipos
Heatsink
Anything Im leaving off or need to take off and get something else?
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RE: ?TRX or HPI?
Definitely get the aluminum turnbuckles and pushrods. The stock fixed plastic ones don't offer you any adjustment. Also pick up a pack of the Traxxas Steel Hollow balls for the mini revo to replace the plastic ones as well. I run without the center diff and it handles fine I also like the occasional wheelies here and there when I want to get trigger happy. If you are going to run it on the track definitely get it.
Another upgrade I also did was the Hot Racing hardened steel transmission gears for added security. For driveshafts I run the GPM steel slider type shafts for the center and wheel shafts. They probably are a bit heavier than the Traxxas bones though.
I have both trucks the Savage XS SS kit and the Merv and the Merv is definitely the handler of the two. You can tell the Savage is top heavy just like it's bigger brethren but with a few tweaks it can be made to handle pretty well also. Really all I did was add the sway bar kit but the merv still handles better due to the lower CG. You won't be disappointed.
Another upgrade I also did was the Hot Racing hardened steel transmission gears for added security. For driveshafts I run the GPM steel slider type shafts for the center and wheel shafts. They probably are a bit heavier than the Traxxas bones though.
I have both trucks the Savage XS SS kit and the Merv and the Merv is definitely the handler of the two. You can tell the Savage is top heavy just like it's bigger brethren but with a few tweaks it can be made to handle pretty well also. Really all I did was add the sway bar kit but the merv still handles better due to the lower CG. You won't be disappointed.