FLM Forward Conversion Build

Well as I posted today in the FLM ...... in the Nude thread I pulled the trigger on a savage build. In this thread I will go through the build for anyone who is interested. I have built several RC trucks and a few brushless. My previous brushless experience was with 1/18th scale. I have a LST 2 (for sale) that I enjoyed but just couldn't stand all of the tuning and what not. I work a lot and want something I can just bash at the drop of a hat.

By the way, to introduce myself my name is Shon. I am a 27 year old from down in Houston. When I'm not messing with RC cars or playing golf I'm a Financial Advisor and MBA student..... Blah Blah Blah

So here are the specs on my build thus far. Its pretty over the top I know, I have a tendency to do that (bad tendency?).

Ordered today:

Savage X SS Kit
Savage X dual pad slipper
Savage 3 Speed Conversion (Not the pre-built one)
FLM Brushless Conversion
FLM Hybrid Bulks
FLM Extended Arm Set
FLM Shock Towers
Neu 1521/1y/S
MGM 22418
Flightpower 6s 5000mah Lipo
Pinions - 15t, 16t, 17t, 19t
Steering Servo - Hitec HSC-5998TG

Parts I had:

Brake Servo - Spektrum whatever.......
Spektrum DX3
Hyperion 1210i Charger

That pretty much sums it up. I bought the 3 speed not really because I think it will help performance in anyway, I just though the metal gears might be more durable. I know this thing is going to be heavy with all of that aluminum, but I want the drive train to be able to take the abuse and the truck to be able to take the bashing. It won't be a beauty queen. I'll have to learn how to post pictures so I can keep the project up to date step by step.

My e-savage went on ebay today and my LST 2 will be soon to follow.

If you were doing this build would you lock up the tranny and use the motor/esc for brakes and have reverse? Or stick with the disk brakes and not have reverse? I've read bad things about the HPI reverse module.

You input is welcome on this build.

[jhautz]

Sounds like its going to be a beast! Looking forward to the build pictures. I have my FLM kit just sitting on the bench and its killin me. I'm traveling like crazy for work right now and just cant get any time to build it. So seeing your build will have to inspire me.

As for the locking the tranny question... If you are going to lock the tranny and use motor brakes then there is no reason for the 3 speed tranny. If you want the 3 speed to work, you have to use the machanical brakes. I have been running the stock 2 speed tranny in mine with no problems at all. The 3 speed really isnt necessary. You could save yourself a couple dollars and not do the 3 speed.

My pesonal opinion is screw reverse unless you run in tight spaces that have alot of trouble.

[MTBikerTim]

That is a crazy setup. For the esc I would consider the MGM 16024 to allow for possibly more cells later even though 6s seems perfect in the savage. If you really want reverse definitely lock the tranny. The reverse module is too unreliable. Personally I find reverse not that useful anyway. Also if you really want to bash the savage I would stick to plastic arms, the plastic will flex and save your other parts. That is definately a sweet setup and that 1521 should push the savage along nicely.

Thanks for the comments! As far as the tranny goes, I think I'll stick with the mechanical brake, screw the reverse. I may return the 3 speed, don't know. I guess I'll decide once it comes in. I realize it has little to no benefit with the brushless setup. Actually the increased rotating mass could be a detriment.

As far as choosing the MGM 22418 over the 16024, my thoughts are half one way half another. I think 6S will be plenty, and I like to have the room to run high capacity packs that may not be able to fit with more cells. The 22418 allows for more amp draw, the 16024 higher voltage. Given the size and weight I do think there will be a lot of amp draw, and the flightpower pack is capable. Even still I think its about the same. A few more cells would make it a bit faster, but at that point we are pushing against a lot of wind resistance and other factors. I may regret it in the future, but I'm going to stick with the 22418 for now.

The FLM Extended Arm kit is the one area where I see maybe I should have stuck with stock. I definately see the benefit of a wider wheelbase with the added length of the chassis and the increased speed. I coudl achieve similar results using wider offset wheels though. At least I know that FLM will replace this stuff for next to nothing should I destroy it.....

What wheel and tire combos are recommended. I know I am going to have to tape the tires. Any recommendations for something light yet not a dish? Maybe run the stock Savage X SS setup until I kill them. Even then I am going to have to go through removing them from the rim to tape them and then re-glue them.

Thanks!

[lincpimp]

If I remember correctly the tires do not come glued on the rims in the ss kit.

I have a ss kit coming and the flm chassis. I am going to leave everything stock, 2 speed, mech brake, etc. I will either use a 9xl on 5s or a 14xl on 8s.

Sounds like we'll both be having some good times!! Good to know about the tires. I hope so because removing them from the rim to tape them would be a PITA!

[lincpimp]

I hate removing glued tires, especially if they are done right. It is next to impossible then! I should have my kit on thursday, but I do not know when I will have time to get it together.

Good news is all of my stuff has been shipped and it looks like it will all be here by Saturday. Bad news is that I ordered the wrong servo. I meant to get the Hitec 5955TG and instead bought the 5998TG. The 5998TG has 250oz/in of torque at 6v vs 333 oz/in on the 5955TG. Its not a huge difference but its enough to make me what to exchange it for the right one. Looks like I'll have to wait to send that one back and get the 5955........

[MTBikerTim]

Good choice on forgetting about the reverse. I tend to find I don't get my savage stuck that often and when I do reverse wouldn't help. A flip me over device would be much more useful. You are right about the 3 speed being stronger then the 2 speed with the metal gears so it might be worth keeping especially with your huge motor.

Can't wait to see your truck in action. Post a video if you can.

[lincpimp]

I got my kit and the tires are not glued, so you should be good for the taping!

I also just acquired a motor adapter that will allow me to run one of my kb45xl motors in the savage. Looks like it will have a bit more power than the 9xl feigao! Hopefully I have good enough batteries to run the motor. I have a 5s 5000mah 20c lipo that will fit the chassis. Hope it works! If not I have another 8s lipo and a lower kv motor, so we will see!

Well my Savage X SS kit came in yesterday and I decided to do the 3 speed conversion. Lucky I did because one of the factory metal gears in the 2 speed was already missing a tooth. I've always been told its a good idea to go through your truck before you run it and now I know why. Other than that I am very impressed with the kit. I have never owned a savage and I am impressed by how beefy everything is.

[Serum]

Welcome to the world of the savage..

I can't wait to get mine.. :)

I forgot to mention/ask......

I had ordered the dual pad slipper from the Savage X for 2 reasons. One, its plastic and my pinion is metal and I've always preferred this combo. Two, it has dual friction surfaces instead of just the one so I thought it might be better than the single surface. Well Tower forgot to include it in my box of goodies and they are sending me one out to arrive next week sometime.

The Savage X SS kit comes with the hardened steel spur setup. How do you feel about running a steel spur and a steel pinion? I am hoping my FLM kit and everything else arrives tomorrow and have set aside the good part of a day to build. Should I go with the steel setup?

[Serum]

With the RC-monster hardened pinions it should be no problem; but to be honest, i want to replace the gear with a plastic one too; it becomes louder with the metal to metal. i like the plastic/metal better.

[jhautz]

I am actually contemplateing doing the opposite. I have been running my savage X with a 1940/7 on 5s a123 for about 6 months and the plastic 47T spur is the only thing that ever fails on me. I have stripped 6 or 7 of them. Its not the end of the world cuz they are cheap and easy to change, but I'm thinking about switching to the steel spur and hardened pinion when I install the FLM kit to see it that fixes my problem.... Or just moves it to the next weak link.