You're already not sure about building up the Savage, so why sink any $ into it? Get it running and dump it for a truggy or buggy, they're more fun IMO anyway. I'm a MT guy, but I'm still kicking myself for getting rid of my 8ight-T 2.0, that thing was awesome on 5s with the 1520. Besides you have the 5sc for big offroad action if you wantd it.