Okay for speed it is better to keep the 2-speed tranny (upgrade that gear to HPI's HD version), buy one of those Y-cable's, make lower batt mounts so can use mechanical brake and set it up so only foward/brake on ESC/motor.

And for fun/any other reason lock out 2nd gear, keep keep foward/brake/reverse on the motor and use the easy conversion kit with standard batt mounts. Is there a big difference in top end speed?

Yes. the difference is rather big.

So best to use the hd 2speed w/mechanical brake overall then right? I know i want more speed than less of it -lol-

Is reverse hard to throw into the above mix? Just have to add the 'reverse gear module' and a third servo/channel right? Or does it get more complicated than that with placement etc?

Ideally i would like reverse, but it isn't going in if there's more than minor mods that would need to be made, or if it would hinder performance in any way...

You can just throw in the reverse module like you discribed, no problem.

I am not sure about the quality on that reverse module, i never used one.

I have been running one in my other Savage for over a gallon of fuel with constant use and no issues. Pretty simple to setup and easy to use. Very handy and convenient.

I think I will go with that same setup as you said above as I too am after speed.

Serum...there would be no issues if you ran a 3speed upgraded tranny correct? Just more weight to the rotating mass.

today is the day i go and get the motor munt made, any last minute changes i should make? like thinkness?

Danhfvcsd and myself are getting two of those motor mounts made up but using thicker aluminum and hopefully 7075 T6 grade.

i am getting it 8 mm thick, not sure which grade yet though

5mm 7075 would be good, but thicker 6061 would do fine.

Mine would be 6.3mm thick 6061 Al. I couldnt find a 7075 Al angle. Are you guys going to bend a 7075 sheet to make the angle??

No, that's an L-profile..

6061 is fine..

Ohh its call L-profile then.. I thought they are call "angle" Thats what I bought and sent to the machinist.

I'm actually thinking 8mm 6061 would be good as the space/gap where the carb control arm used to be is 8mm.