Is the Savage what it's all hyped up to be?
 

Okay, I want to get another gas R/C for the summer. I want something I can bomb through sand, dirt, mud, grass, hills, etc etc. Not for racing, just something tough and relatively cheap. I know, I know, this is a brushless forum. But I also know you guys put your vehicles through more abuse than most people since you guys run brushless. So, give me your honest opinion - Is the Savage worth it? Or should I look elsewhere, like a MGT?

The savage X is a good truck. I prefer it to a MGT. Diffs may need some attention from new, as they may not be shimmed correctly. Other than that the truck is decent. Takes a hit better than a maxx... The shocks are a bit wimpy, but you may not drive as hard as I do. I never did damage a shock, but I was always waiting to...

Okay so Savage X is a good start. I'll probably buy it new so I don't have to fool around with used stuff anymore. Savage X is a kit still right?

EDIT: I see they offer the X RTR now too. Is the RTR good to go or does it still need diff shims?

HPI sells it in RTR and kit forms.

Always good to make sure the diffs are shimmed correctly no matter what you buy...

That's true. Thanks for the input linc! If you or anyone on here has experience tuning that 4.6 engine, please chime in. I'm not the master of tuning engines, so I want something pretty trouble-free.

I have a nitro XL and I freaking love the truck. Tough, cheap, and easy to work on. I did replace the diffs as they are pretty weak even w/ nitros. The rest of the truck is solid.

You can always sell the 4.6 motor and get a better motor w/o breaking the back. I sold off the 5.9 that came with the XL and bought a LRP .28. Nice power (for a nitro) and easy to tune and start. $165 or so. It was my 1st nitro motor and I can run it well, so isn't that difficult. I even use a pullstart. I like the savage more than any other truck I've had (maxxes, revo, losi, tho never a MGT.)

Depending on what you want to spend, I would consider looking at the Sav XL as well. Its a freaking beast, and has some nicely upgraded parts. The longer wheelbase is nice too, and makes pipe manifolds easy. You can get these not too pricey if you look around.

I replaced my shocks w/ LST shocks. They are big and baddass. You don't have to do this, but its def nice.

I had an HPI savage 21 and 25 and they were one of the worst trucks Ive owned. They both constantly broke. I kept the 21 nitro and converted the 25. I blew up my brand new 3spd tranny in the 25 while it was brushless and had many other driveline issues with the 21 even when it was in nitro form. I have never had a savage x though so i have no input on those. They seem to be a ton better than the 21 and 25.

So the older Savages had problems huh? That's what I remember hearing. I like the Bigger XL, but I would rather get a MGT 8.0 if I were to lay down that much cash. Any other suggestions for a MT?

LST2

This will be my next monster truck after I finish some other projects. Linc has one converted and the diffs are so good he sticks them in everything now.

Got an XL recently, it's a helluva truck. Unfortunately I found out I'm allergic to Nitro, so I'm selling it. But yeah, they're solid machines. If you get a new RTR, make sure to loctite every screw that goes into metal, though. They do fall out!

- Tony

Sent you a PM kraegar.

TexasSP - I've never liked Losi's design and hate how all my allen wrenches seem to never be the right size for their screws.

Losi's use of Imperial screws drove me crazy. Half the truck is metric, half is SAE. I had a muggy for a while, it was a decent enough truck, but the screws and a few other things drove me nuts enough to sell it. Got an XL and never looked back. Hopefully you two can work out a deal that is good for everybody, g/l.

The LST2 is one helluva truck for sure. You wont be dissapointed...

As far as nitro motors goes, OS is the easiest when it comes to tuning, but I would probably go for a Picco .27. Its one BEAST ass motor, especially if you have some work done to it. A guy called Cabbie on TruggyRacers forum is really good with them and if it were me, I'd probably try and find a new roller on Ebay and buy a Picco .27 and send it to him if he still does port work (you might not know of it, but his Ruggy had one and he added ports, yada yada, and it smoked all the other nitros in a magazine shootout), then add my own servos, radio, rims tires, body, and so on. Shouldn't be much more than a new X since last time I looked the new rollers where pretty cheap.