Mixed feelings on LST performance

Mixed feelings on LST performance
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Mixed feelings on LST performance - 8/20/2004 12:57:41 AM

creyc

Posts: 911
Joined: 6/26/2004
From: Safety Harbor, FL, USA
Status: offline

I'm not trying to talk down on the LST which I really do like but I feel like I have to say this anyways. I don't regret buying my LST, I love the design and all the extras that come with the truck. The radio is amazing, the suspension is of the best I've felt on any truck and the tires hold their own on nearly any surface. But while driving it today I couldn't help but feeling...a little disappointed I guess is the word.

It's certainly fast enough, I'm sure mine is even quicker than my neighbors T-Maxx, it'll beat a Savage by many car lengths on the drag strip. But when I took my currently shelved Savage 25 out today for some much needed attention I felt as if the truck and I were somehow a better match. It's much more fun to drive, it's not one of those things you can measure, because I assume it stems back to multiple causes.

For one the truck is more responsive. I can pull the throttle trigger all the way back and it will roar to life and pull a gratifying wheelie. Grass, concrete, wherever, if I floor it the wheels come off the ground. I know I can do the same thing on my LST by going into LOW but it's putting more effort into this simple act than necessary. I just want to ride on the back wheels a little, or kick a bit of dirt up behind me while accelerating, rooster tails man! But with the HIGH/LOW there's no middle ground, literally and figuratively. Either it's a screaming top speed racer or it's a crawler, and that kinda bugs me. Why is it the Savage gets to do a bit of both, all without stopping to turn a little gear selector?

The other big issue was the engine in the tuning department. Every other lap I was back with screwdriver in hand, trying to dial in the low speed needle to a place that just couldn't be found. If turned the idle down so that the wheels wouldn't spin the engine would stall. If I turned the needle in for improved acceleration the engine would begin to operate erratically at times, speeding up and slowing down at seemingly random intervals. And then when it seems like all is right you try a pinch test only to find the engine is actually running lean. Nothing gives, nothing helps.

The high speed is fine, no better than fine, it's incredible. I reset the needles back to factory stock and turned the high speed needle in just a tad and it really came alive. I don't think anything would keep up on the street, I was hitting 2nd speed at 3/4 throttle for a change instead of waiting, at full open throttle, for the truck to get up going fast enough. I have no complaints on the top end of this truck. None at all. I can't figure out the deal with the low end though. I already sent my engine to Losi about the "odd" colorization and texture of the top of my piston which Losi assured me was actually normal. They checked the whole thing down and found no troubles, so why am I having such a hard time?

:|

Post #: 1

RE: Mixed feelings on LST performance - 8/20/2004 1:27:18 AM

jefx

Posts: 3562
Joined: 8/19/2003
From: mach pk, IL,
Status: offline

sounds like an air leak.

Mine runs awesome, I'm trying to get my video posted here.

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Who farted??!!

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Post #: 2

RE: Mixed feelings on LST performance - 8/20/2004 2:02:18 AM

loadleft

Posts: 25
Joined: 8/19/2004
From: Raleigh, NC, USA
Status: offline

I had similar problems and I spent all day adjusting before I figured out it was a broken clutch spring! I could not seem to get the idle low enough to not have the truck roll which led me to adjusting my low speed needle (lsn). After adjusting that for a while I ended up have temp. problems which led me to adjust the hsn. This went on to the point of frustration until just on a whim I checked the clutch and surely enough I had a broken spring. I fixed that and went back to factory needle settings and all was fine. I could wheelie on command in the dirt (lower traction), on the track it was nearly uncontrollable then the previous symptoms reappeared which I recognized as the spring only this time it was two springs. Instead of going with Losi springs I’ve installed ofna “grays” and new clutch bearings, and I haven’t ran it since. I did however, call Losi on the number in the front of the manual listed for “Chassis Components” and spoke to a guy named Bill I described the problem to him and he told me the problem was the springs are faulty and he is sending me an upgraded set. I say all this to say check your springs I bet you’ll be surprised, and I’m betting that’s your problem since Losi even says the originals are faulty.

(in reply to jefx)

Post #: 3

RE: Mixed feelings on LST performance - 8/20/2004 2:04:45 AM

stebog

Posts: 125
Joined: 12/8/2003
From: Los Lunas, NM, USA
Status: offline

Sounds like my Mayhem until I found a cracked fuel tank.

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Hometrack : ARCOR, Albuquerque, NM

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Post #: 4

RE: Mixed feelings on LST performance - 8/20/2004 4:37:58 AM

speed lives

Posts: 939
Joined: 3/27/2004
From: SSM, MI, USA
Status: offline

I feel the same about the LST, acept in a different way. When i drive my Savage i feel confident i wonte break nothing. When i drive my LST im just hopeing it wonte break.

Today was my 1st actualy day of bashing, the rest were break ins. On the 1st tank i broke an axle.. Now i have to wait like 7 days for a replacement from Losi so i can drive it again, Then i will probly end up breaking something else on my 1st tank and have to wait another week...

I mean man if it cant handle what i was doing today it definatly wonte be a truck ill keep. I'll give it a few more chances though. All i was doing was lauching off a 10ft sand hill, done stuff like that millions of times without breaking my savage, and when my Savage got brood sided by another truck, the only thing that was broke was the truck that hit me lol! I realize these axles are going to be corrected but im still not satisfied with the durability, The truck looks a little week compared to my likings.

But don't get me wrong this truck is awsome and overall i like it alot better then my Savage.

< Message edited by HPI Racing -- 8/19/2004 11:44:19 PM >

_____________________________

MF2 - LST - Savage 4.6 - Savage .25 - T3

(in reply to stebog)

Post #: 5

RE: Mixed feelings on LST performance - 8/20/2004 5:29:37 AM

theerm

Posts: 78
Joined: 7/27/2004
From: Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Status: offline

i have had a good run with my lst. it will wheelstand in high, it has even stood up in second more than once. no broken axels, no broken suspention, no clutch problems. the only problem i have had with tuning was caused by air getting in the fuel line. if i make sure all the air is out of the filter i have no problems. not many people have complained of broken suspention arms, maybe that is why the axels break. my mgt will break suspension arms before it breaks axels?. as for performance it may be fuel, i mix my self 20% nitro, 10% syn oil 2%castor the rest methenol. the nitro and meth are both VP fuel. i'm very happy with the lst but i have only owned an mgt. not a lot to compair with. but i do belt the crap out of the lst i can't do that with the mgt. just my experience so far

(in reply to creyc)

Post #: 6

RE: Mixed feelings on LST performance - 8/20/2004 6:00:34 AM

creyc

Posts: 911
Joined: 6/26/2004
From: Safety Harbor, FL, USA
Status: offline

quote:

All i was doing was lauching off a 10ft sand hill, done stuff like that millions of times without breaking my savage, and when my Savage got brood sided by another truck

Hmm, maybe that's why I haven't broken anything substantial on my truck! I've not even done that kinda of stuff with my Savage, just mostly run the around my yard or a dirt track we built, still no jumps though. When I first got the Savage I took it on a little dirt hill at a baseball field so I got my "air" fill. I'm telling you, keep them on the ground and they'll last a lot longer. The only parts I've had to replace on my Savage so far are a few screws and new clutch shoes in nearly half a year of owning it. I just hope my LST will follow a similar pattern but already I'm a bit suspicious of the engine. It's powerful, sure but mine in particular has no torque and Losi says it's normal. I'm missing something here.

I checked out my clutch which looks fine. I replaced my fuel line just the other day and tightened the fuel filter. I also cleaned the carb again and reset all needles. The wheels will actually almost lift when I'm extremely lean on the low end, which I only did as a test. I think it was like 1.5 turns out, so obviously I couldn't keep it that way. I'll try to take matters up with Dynamite soon if I don't get anywhere with settings on the rest of the drive-line. Would it be better or worse in terms of lifting the front wheels using fluid filled diffs?

(in reply to theerm)

Post #: 7

RE: Mixed feelings on LST performance - 8/20/2004 7:40:18 AM

fantomas

Posts: 1339
Joined: 6/24/2004
From: Portage, IN, USA
Status: offline

what type of fuel are you running? and what type of glow plug? and how do you have your slipper set?

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Post #: 8

RE: Mixed feelings on LST performance - 8/20/2004 11:35:18 AM

fourwheeler

Posts: 1685
Joined: 2/12/2003
From: WELLMAN, TX, USA
Status: offline

Overall this is a depressing thread

I have replaced the Mach with a Sportwerks .26 in mine and am really pleased with the performance though I only got 4 tanks through it last weekend. The front wheels are already getting light on acceleration and it makes good power while running (obviously) rich. Temps are around 200 and the truck just hauls. I can't see a way around the mixed feelings about having to shift the gears to get the wheelies and all but I like the ability to change the gears to suit the track conditions. I also have a little bit of added tuning ability with the Sportwerks as it comes with 3 restrictors you insert in the carb intake. 6.6 , 7.5 , and 9 millimeter openings that can tailor the power to the different tracks. It comes with the 7.5 already installed and I ran the 4 tanks with that in it and I am very pleased so far.

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Post #: 9

RE: Mixed feelings on LST performance - 8/20/2004 4:15:29 PM

speed lives

Posts: 939
Joined: 3/27/2004
From: SSM, MI, USA
Status: offline

quote:

I'm telling you, keep them on the ground and they'll last a lot longer.

Wheres the fun in that?? Personally if i had to keep my truck on the ground i would not be in this hobby at all, It would be super boring not being able to lauch your truck off anything you see.

You should check out them touring cars they go like 60 mph and you have to keep them on the ground.

_____________________________

MF2 - LST - Savage 4.6 - Savage .25 - T3

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Post #: 10

RE: Mixed feelings on LST performance - 8/20/2004 5:28:47 PM

breakin2

Posts: 579
Joined: 4/10/2004
From: Waretown, NJ, USA
Status: offline

I've bashed mine pretty hardcore and I've only damaged the body. Pretty much all I do is jumps, some of them pretty ill-advised. However, now that I'm planing to race tomorrow finally, I think my clutch springs are broken. It doesn't seem to be shifting at all and has some serious RPMs when it's WOT and makes a straining sound.

(in reply to speed lives)

Post #: 11

RE: Mixed feelings on LST performance - 8/20/2004 5:55:23 PM

CRSMP5

Posts: 114
Joined: 7/27/2004
From: Vienna, OH, USA
Status: offline

thats the slipper or 2nd gear clutch shoes slipping due to oil/grease in its cb.. pull off the 1st gear and look at 2nd shoes.. i had to scuff mine a few times and degrease its cb due to grease from its bearing seeping out..

and a savage with a picco with 18t cb will no thold with a stock lst unless you get a high rpm engine.. besides that i think it is a damb fast truck.. love the 8 port race i have in mine now..

(in reply to breakin2)

Post #: 12

RE: Mixed feelings on LST performance - 8/20/2004 8:00:03 PM

breakin2

Posts: 579
Joined: 4/10/2004
From: Waretown, NJ, USA
Status: offline

Thanks for the tip. I'll try that now.

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Post #: 13

RE: Mixed feelings on LST performance - 8/20/2004 8:31:48 PM

creyc

Posts: 911
Joined: 6/26/2004
From: Safety Harbor, FL, USA
Status: offline

I'm running Dynamite Blue Thunder fuel, 20% nitro as per recommendation. I'm running the same plug it came with, and it's still holding up well, starts easy and keeps its heat so I don't know if there's a problem there. My slipper is less than 1 turn out. 1/2 I think. I'll double check the but I don't think it will have much of an affect.

I saw you got that Sportwerks for a pretty good price fourwheeler, I may have to look at one. I don't want to invest much more into this truck so no $300 engines for me but I'm thinking about the 24.7 PRO. Anyone know about how much it goes for?

And yes it may bit a bit depressing but it's the truth. :|

(in reply to breakin2)

Post #: 14

RE: Mixed feelings on LST performance - 8/20/2004 9:53:49 PM

mclassic

Posts: 66
Joined: 7/30/2004
From: Centreville, VA, USA
Status: offline

I'm having the same exact issues as creyc. It took me quite a while to get my low speed needle right. The engine definitely comes to life after dialing in the high speed needle. I still don't know why my low end throttle response is so poor though. I'm definitely not pulling wheelies. The LST seems more like a street truck than something to bash with based on my experience with it. I'll keep working at it though.

(in reply to creyc)