HerrSavage
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Joined: 9/17/2005
Last Login: 5/23/2013
From: Irgendwo, GERMANY
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OK, well, after sitting in my room looking pretty all winter, the LST2 finally saw some fuel today. I've been planning for a while now to do a fairly thorough run-down of how the Savage X SS and the LST2 compare - NOT around a race track, but for an ordinary, not all that experienced basher looking to do some backyard bashing, jumping, etc.. My Savage X SS with Chronic front-extended TVP's and Axial 28 I broke in about a month ago. So far it's got about 1/2 gallon through it I would guess.. Today, after RE-locktiting everything cuz of being paranoid based on what one reads in LST forums, I finally took it out. Unfortunately I was on my own so could only set the vid camera stationary for some boring back and forth passes. Don't know though - gonna upload it and see what kind of impression it gives..
So, to start: my impression of the X SS. First off, the Axial has been a DREAM. Starts SSSOOO easy, and seems to tune itself. It's borderline overgeared at 18/47, but pulls wheelies at will, and has a nice screaming top-speed. This is no racing truck, but compared to say a stock Savage 25 or Lighting GT(my other two trucks thus far..) it RIPS - big-time... I don't care what some engine guru says what - the Axial 28 is a DREAM of an engine for Joe Basher, not only cuz of the ease of use, but because it IS a powerhouse compared to most stock engines. I've been running wide Ofna offset dish rims on Dirt Bonz, and though it helps allay some of the Savage's infamous tippiness, so far I haven't managed to find the right set-up for jumping. Basically, and totally unusually for a Savage, right now it sucks in the air. I think I need some 40 series wheels and tires, and maybe to do the "shock mod" Chronic has told me about. I also have a bit of rear-wheel wobble from a worn out turnbuckle - and this too is %100 attributable to bad, awkward landings with the offset rims.. Nevertheless, I'm a Savage guy at heart, so I should just admit right here that to a certain extent the LST2 is facing somewhat of an uphill comparsison. Just want to be honest..
I just LOVE how easy the Axial is to use. And despite some people saying it's just a K4.6, I think it rips. And not just a little bit.. Anyway, I HAVE had a few issues with the Savage so far, but I really do attribute this to running wide offset rims, which I was warned would transfer stress to other parts. So far I have broken an upper front arm, but no big deal - I replaced it with a non-ajustable that came with the kit. I also sort of screwed up a turnbuckle. BTW, in case anybody wonders, building it was a total piece of cake..
The MAIN criticism you always hear about Savages is that they handle terribly. This is true, KIND OF.. I prefer to think of it though as CHALLENGING.. It's fun IMO to learn how your truck moves, and learn how to make it do it the best way you can.. So yeah, somebody totally new to a Sav might flip it over more than with other trucks.. But I enjoy the extra concentration required to keep it under control..
Anyway, enough about the Sav for now. Let's turn to the LST2.
First off, this truck makes a very, very good impression out of the box. It's HUGE, and heavy. So far I have the following upgrades:
1.) RC Raven dual rate springs
2.) RPM engine head guard
3.) wing kit(mostly just for wheelies..)
4.) New Era roll-bar(makes accessing the radio box and LSN a PIA, but makes a very convenient handle.. Also kind of a pain that it limits you to what bods you can use. I got it cuz I envisioned big jumps at skate parks..)
Next point, based on reading around in various forums, I found out that you basically have to locktite the entire truck before running it - including - and especially, the wheels. This I did. Also all the set-screws from the diffs and tranny. Has held up well so far..
So, anyway, getting it started today was a medium PIA(but then I AM spoiled from the Axial I think..) Cuz I've been running the Axial in the Sav, I just assumed I'd HAVE TO loosen the glow-plug(I STILL HAVE TO with the Axial..), but this proved to be a royal PIA. Fuel shot in my eye a couple times actually - and no I didn't over-loosen it.. Just broke the tightness really.. I gave up trying to loosen it after about three tries..
Today I probably got about five tanks through, but a good 12-15 heat cycles. It took 5+ hours... It was puking oil(running %25 Sidwinder in everything..), and took a while to hit 200, but wasn't THAT smoky, and didn't sound all that rich. I messed with the needles several times, but as I'm not the most experienced tuner, I never seemed to get the right tune. That is til the last two tanks when I just left it at factory settings of 4 for the HSN and 2 for the LSN. It was puking oil all day, but not a whole lot of smoke. Highest temp I saw was 240 towards the end, but I was getting on it a bit..
At one point I also had to fiddle with the header, which wasn't really seated onto the engine right. Had to mess with the header spring to get a better, tighter fit.
Anyway, the needles were kind of all over the place today - I'm not the greatest tuner yet, but it was constantly spitting out tons of oil, and temps were reasonable, so I hope I'm safe.. I also did the spit test as a back-up. Never any sizzle..
Once I got a few tanks through(three tanks probably meant 10+ heat cyles with the piston cooling at BDC..) and got into the throttle a bit, with the needles set half-way right, I must say, the LST2 MOVES.. It must really be a rocket with a good tune.. It handles brilliantly too of course. On the last tank I got a few wheelies. I did take it onto a gravelly field, and there it was a lot of fun. I was driving back and forth and shooting gravel everywhere. This truck is not a lot of fun IMO on concrete - unlike the Sav for ex(fun everywhere.. - it just is..) Not sure why.. But it IS a lot of fun once you get into some terrain. Was having a blast wheeling around in big ovals shooting gravel everywhere.. I can see why this is a good race-truck.. Just feels RIGHT offroad..
So anyway, that's all for now really. I have some video of back and forth from both trucks today - nothing spectacular, but maybe it can give a very basic impression of the comparison. I HOPE to do some more bashing in the next weeks, and see what happens then. Hopefully my girlfriend will cooperate and shoot some vid..
So that's all for now. Pics and vids to come...
< Message edited by PatrickBW -- 4/1/2007 1:54 PM >
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All Forums >> RC Cars, Buggies, Trucks, Tanks and more >> RC Monster Trucks >> The Showdown: LST2 vs. Savage X SS 
The Showdown: LST2 vs. Savage X SS - 
The LST2 isn't perfect by any means, but once you drop it on the ground and pull the trigger you tend to forget about it's shortcomings. 
. This truck did not wheelie just took off like a rocket.
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