Got a new Savage XL-now time to convert
 

Been looking around for a basher, and decided to get the new Savage XL. Saw it in the store a while back and can't stop thinking about it. I've got the .5, a trug for racing, and then I've had a Revo, then a Muggy for bashing.

Both were good trucks, the savage just looks cool. And HUGE. :bad:

Only one problem. Its nitro.

Now I've seen the FLM kits, and they are very nice. What I'm not sure on is if they work w/ the XL. Meaning I know they work, but are the TVP plates only the std size?

Otherwise I'm going to covert it my way. The FLM is really nice and simple, but seems a bit like cheating. What I'd like to do is ditch the tranny altogether and put in a center spool with a slipper setup, and use center diff mounts like Mike makes. Then have the motor mount on the bulkhead as an all in one unit. There are some cross braces that go between the TVPs, so I could even use almost any trug center-brace/motor mount and just mount them on that. I'm even contemplating turning them on their side so that they can get mounted right to the TVPs. The space between is 74mm IIRC, so spacers/mounts would be needed.

Hopefully I can clear out a lot of bulky material (tranny, engine, xtra servos) and be able to have room to stow the batteries on board. Might be hard tho. Lastly, I have a MGM 9032 and a 1515/2Y so I may use that, otherwise I may to a 80mm Medusa when they come out. I have a set of 5 and 4s batts. Way too heavy a truck for 4S, but 8S would be nice, and 10S kickass. Not going for landspeed records, just something reliable and cool no matter what.

So does anyone know of a 1/8 center spool (w/ slipper)? I saw Arct1k's Ofna GTP, spool but no slipper. Surely there is something else. Any info on the FLM kit and the XL savvy?

The OFNA monster pirate truck had a center slipper, but those seem hard to come by... Ebay...

Metalman has a savage with a center diff setup, may give you some ideas...

I was thinking about converting my savage to a center diff, but may just sell it to focus on other builds. Like my house...

I don't quite want a CD, but pretty much the same. Got any pics of the setup?

Looking around some more. Good ol google found a BL center diff thread, Serum's no less. :)
Interesting little part Mike made up:
http://www.rc-monster.com/forum/atta...0&d=1192772732

Kinda what I want to do, but also like this:
http://thumb8.webshots.net/t/32/33/1...8VOVdld_th.jpg
http://thumb8.webshots.net/t/32/33/1...8VOVdld_th.jpg

This guy did what I was thinking in alot of ways. Its a center diff streched across the TVPs. My thoughts were to incorporate a BL motor mount. A bit like the RCM part above, but really I want to run the motor forwards along side the steering servo and leave the whole area where the smoker was open for batts and ESC. It looks like he used a hyper mount and posts. If I could find posts long enough, it may be the easy way to go.

I did look for a Pirate center spool. Impossible to find. Think I just will go w/ a CD. Worst of just pack it really stiffly, and then I can go to the slipperential once its done. I've seen the prototype and its cool.

Just for some ideas, here's my Savage that linc mentioned:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v132/4x4pede/Savage/

You don't actually have to buy a center spool, you can make your own. I did this when I had my X-Terminator buggy way back when, using a 6mm shaft and a Revo slipper clutch bored out to 6mm, along with a custom spring/tensioner setup:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...r/IMG_0749.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...r/IMG_0742.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...r/IMG_0895.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...r/IMG_0901.jpg

You can bore out MGT spur gears (46, 49, 52t) to fit perfectly onto the Revo slipper clutch.