JBHornet

Hello everyone,

Please see my .txt attachment becuase this is somewhat long and REALLY important to me since I am a newbie!

fourwheeler

Welcome to the world of Savage!!! You will find the beast alot of fun. As for the hop ups, I started out with a new savage with the stock engine and it is alot of fun, I now own two of the beasts and the second one has a Hyper 8 port from Ofna. It is alot of fun!!! If I were you and I wanted to upgrade the motor I would get the 8 port. It has alot of power and holds a tune really well. You will need to upgrade the dogbones for sure but everything else will be fine for a while. Why not try this and see if you want the Picco .26? You can take it one step at a time and get your feet wet while you are learning.

JBHornet

Ok, so you're saying that I should try it stock for a while and then see what I may want? As for the reverse module and roto start, are those good (and simple) addons?

Thanks,
Justin

fourwheeler

I can't help you with knowledge on the reverse module as I do not use it on either of mine. You will probably benifit from the Roto Start though, I have the Hot Bodies unit for Savage #1 as it still has the stock engine, the electric starters won't work with the Hyper 8 port but it starts very easily and I don't need it. If you get one to use with your stock 21 bb make sure and get a battery pack of at least 3000 mah or it will not turn the engine over while it is still tight.

cemeb4dk

I would also upgrade your steering servo. Mine broke during break in. I went with the Hitech 645 MG servo. that and like four wheeler said definitely go with the HD dog bones. Then as things break I will upgrade them. When my stock engine goes I'm planning on putting in the .26 and then upgrading my clutch

Welcome its very addicting...

fourwheeler

I haven't had any issues with the stock steering servos on either of mine. Not even when I hit a tree going wide open throttle!! All electronics are still stock and working fine.

cemeb4dk

Consider yourself lucky. There has been many a discussion about the savage steering servo in this forum. One of the plastic gears cracked in half during my break in circles.

motocrosserjm

I have two savages i would get titanium drive shafts or hpi heavy duty, first if you are going to jump at all. Than i would invest in a high output servo. Like a futaba,or airtronics. its worth the $150. I have one .26 picco and a 24.7 xtm. I love my picco it really makes it move. the xtm is a cheaper made engine and it doesnt even have a idle adjustment screw. It doesnt like to run good below 300 degrees either. Tuned pipe is another must. Ths ,mega, gpm are good ones. Than adjustable upper arms.

Unstable

the reverse module takes some time to put in. you need to remove one of the side plates to get the tranny out and open the tranny to slide in the module. not hard to do but time consuming... just remember to locktite all the screws going into metal when you reasemble.

the rotostart bolts on were the pull start is now.

4 screws to remove the engine, 3 screws to take off the pullstart.

the hardest part of this will be lineing up the gear mesh when you put the engine back in.

fourwheeler

When you realign the motor put a thick piece of paper between the gears and tighten it up, then remove the paper and the gear mesh should be about right.

BUGGIES_R_US

HOP UPS ARE ADDICTIVE!!!

When I buy R/C Cars, I typically go for the best. You actually end up spending LESS compared to buying a piece of crap and rebuilding the whole thing with hop ups!
They also suck you dry financially!
The R/C market lives off the Hop ups!
Think aobut it. 50 bucks for an anodized piece of metal?
(Mugen Differential brackets)

Anyway. There are some mods that you definitely want. If your buying an RTR like the Savage. Pay special attention to the drivetrain (dogbones) and consider a new steering servo.
Thje motor that it comes with isnt all that stellar but go ahead
and run the engine through its course. By the time 4-5 gallons come around, you'll have a much better idea about what to do and what to buy/where. THEN, you can turn your savage into a true savage and start kickin ass!

ram

jgrepps

Well JBHornet, I have been reading through the forums on www.hpisavageforums.com for a few months now. I am in the same boat as you, I have chosen to get the savage but still have not bought anything yet. I have an HPI Super Nitro and I want something for off-road. I have been reading about peoples problems with the truck and compiled my list of things I am going to buy first.

Here is my list with tower part numbers:
Truck and immediate hop-ups:
LXCZW1 Savage 21
LXDSD1 HPI Reverse Module Savage 21
LXS361 Servo Saver
LXAHE5 Fuel Filter
LXDVK7 Tune Pipe
LXNZ36 Hitec HS-945MGS Servo
HPIC4253 Bearing 6x10x3mm (I will use these to reduce slop in the steering)

Diff Mod: (to insert 2 more spider gears into the diff)
LXDLD4 HPI Bevel Gear Set (Gear Differential) Savage 21
LXT505 Kyosho Bevel Shaft Inferno

Tank Mod: (reduce the half tank lean out problem)
LXG850 Fourmost Auto Plug One-Way Valve (this will help pressurize the tank more)
LXPC18 HPI Silicone Tube 2x5x300mm Proceed
LXD622 Dubro Bolt-On Pressure Fitting
LXD751 Dubro Fuel Line Clips Medium (4)
LXG846 Fourmost Fitting Tee Large (4)

Air Filter
LXDLH8 HPI Silicone Exhaust Coupling 12x18x30mm Purple
LXDUR2 HPI High Performance Air Filter

Extra's:
HPIC0243 HPI E-Clip E3 2-Speed (10)
HPIC2240 HPI C-Clip 8mm Savage 21 (4)
HPIC1245 HPI E-Clip E5mm Proceed (10)
LXDUK4 HPI Heavy Duty Dog Bone (I'll wait till i snap the originals first)
LM2036 #A5 Glow Plugs
LXDLC5 HPI Upright Set Savage 21 (just in case I snap one)
LXDLB4 HPI O-Ring 6x9.5x2mm Black Savage 21 (8)

Hop-ups total: $284.79
Truck and Tuned Pipe: $450.96

I plan to drive the stock engine till I want to buy another. The only other things I am going to buy ar center skid plate, tank guard, glow plug ingnitor, hump pack and charger at my local hobby shop.

BUSH-MASTER

the stock engine is fine for now get the hang of driving and tuning before going to a hi perf. engine heres is some things you will need : high torqeu steering servo
heavy duty dog bones
heavy duty center shaft{the 1 from transm. to rear }
upgrade air filter
hot bodies pipe $30. well worth the cash
use stock steering servo for throttle
after you waster tuning and driving then toss the stock engine im in the process of breaking in the pico 26 seems like its gonna be sick good luck