HPI Savage? Fine tuning help/what to do

[DzXrobo]

I have purchase what I think is a HPI Savage XL from my friend. He said the engine is running and what not but I have a few issues..

I cannot seem to get the transmitter to connect to the receiver.. on the truck it just flashes blue.. the transmitter just stays steady green. I’ve tried binding them however I do not have the bind plug..

Also what should I do before starting this thing up? Believe to have been sat for a year.. I’ve blown all the lines through.. cleaned the tank out, the spark plug looks okay and is working fine also

Anything else?

 

[Chubaka]

Welcome to the site.
Before you start binding the radio so it doesn't run away would be good. Also heat that motor up some before starting to expand it. Eve. Though it looks fine id put a new glow plug in and put the current one in a bag. If the tune seems off id put it at the factory settings.

If your not sure on tge model post pics. We can help identify it.

You might be able to make a bind plug with a connector and wire.

 

[DzXrobo]

Welcome to the site.
Before you start binding the radio so it doesn't run away would be good. Also heat that motor up some before starting to expand it. Eve. Though it looks fine id put a new glow plug in and put the current one in a bag. If the tune seems off id put it at the factory settings.

If your not sure on tge model post pics. We can help identify it.

You might be able to make a bind plug with a connector and wire.

I’ve figure out by finding the “quick start guide” in the bag that the radio is “FS-GT3B” ?

Also that the correct radio is in my friend house so I’m heading over in the morning to swap that out.

I’ll definitely make sure to get some heat into the motor and change the plug out. How do I go about adding an image? Imgur is blocked in the UK now

 

[CertifiedMike]

Def gotta get the radio working so you can set you linkages up, end points set... before you start that thing!
Would be a bad day if that truck tackled someone at full speed!

 

[Chubaka]

I’ve figure out by finding the “quick start guide” in the bag that the radio is “FS-GT3B” ?

Also that the correct radio is in my friend house so I’m heading over in the morning to swap that out.

I’ll definitely make sure to get some heat into the motor and change the plug out. How do I go about adding an image? Imgur is blocked in the UK now

If the image is in your phone click the attached files button here. That works for pictures. For videos they need to be through a site like YouTube.

The flysky isn't a bad radio. I have the gt5. More features then stock.

 

[DzXrobo]

Here she is..

Also this is the radio I’ve had with it, confused as to why I can’t get it to work.. possibly the wrong gear as there is another one?

 

[Chubaka]

I want to say that's a savage x 4.6 and not a xl. Although it can be swapped, the xl has different wheels and a 5.9 engine. You also got one brand radio and another brand reciever. No chance of it binding.

https://www.hpiracing.com/en/kit/104266

 

[DzXrobo]

I want to say that's a savage x 4.6 and not a xl. Although it can be swapped, the xl has different wheels and a 5.9 engine. You also got one brand radio and another brand reciever. No chance of it binding.

https://www.hpiracing.com/en/kit/104266

I think you are correct there.

I have also found these in the bag..

 

[CertifiedMike]

View attachment 253637I think you are correct there.

I have also found these in the bag..

Lol! Looks like the bind plug is there!
I am a vintage fan and I still recommend you upgrade that to modern gear.

 

[DzXrobo]

Lol! Looks like the bind plug is there!
I am a vintage fan and I still recommend you upgrade that to modern gear.

Yes I’ll definitely be upgrading the gear shortly, any recommendations?

 

[CertifiedMike]

One system requirements are met, budget is the largest determining factor in radios.

If you have a bunch of RCs, intend to race, like nice tech with great features for $... the Noble NB4 is what I just bought and is a fantastic radio at its pricepoint.
I doubt I'll outgrow it.

If you get into programming and techy stuff, my suggestion is, without question, a RadioMaster MT12. It is an oper-source, user programable, ultra flexible, user repairable radio. Its cheap and amazing!
This radio does have a steep learning curve but there are lots of ppl here who use it and love it.
Its not rocket science.

The FlySky GT3 and GT5 are forum favorites, are budget friendly, better quality and more features than stock radios.
They will get the job done and keep your wallet happy.

 

[DzXrobo]

One system requirements are met, budget is the largest determining factor in radios.

If you have a bunch of RCs, intend to race, like nice tech with great features for $... the Noble NB4 is what I just bought and is a fantastic radio at its pricepoint.
I doubt I'll outgrow it.

If you get into programming and techy stuff, my suggestion is, without question, a RadioMaster MT12. It is an oper-source, user programable, ultra flexible, user repairable radio. Its cheap and amazing!
This radio does have a steep learning curve but there are lots of ppl here who use it and love it.
Its not rocket science.

The FlySky GT3 and GT5 are forum favorites, are budget friendly, better quality and more features than stock radios.
They will get the job done and keep your wallet happy.

I’ve found this one locally.. would this do the trick for the time being?

 

[CertifiedMike]

I would avoid that radio based on other ppls issues with dropped signal. If you drop signal with a nitro, its bad bad news! The car can go wide open throttle with no driver at all... the rc takes a beating almost 100% and what or WHO ever is in front of it will equally take a beating.
RadioLink has some bad reviews so I say no thak you!
Think about how heavy that truck is and it doing 45mph with no one steering.

THAT is why I will still recommend the FlySky.

Futaba makes awesome radios too if you aren't feeling 'Fly'!

 

[DzXrobo]

I would avoid that radio based on other ppls issues with dropped signal. If you drop signal with a nitro, its bad bad news! The car can go wide open throttle with no driver at all... the rc takes a beating almost 100% and what or WHO ever is in front of it will equally take a beating.
RadioLink has some bad reviews so I say no thak you!
Think about how heavy that truck is and it doing 45mph with no one steering.

THAT is why I will still recommend the FlySky.

Futaba makes awesome radios too if you aren't feeling 'Fly'!

Amazing! Thank you very much for all the advice and pointers Mike

I’m taking notes and learning as I go haha

 

[CertifiedMike]

Amazing! Thank you very much for all the advice and pointers Mike

I’m taking notes and learning as I go haha

I'm happy to help. All the info about RadioLink is here, you'll start seeing it in @DavidB1126 and @CJSRCLIFE posts.

My friend had a Savage. I think his was the XL. It had the 5.9 and a 3 speed transmission.
It was a really nice truck!
FAAAAAAAAAST!!!!

Nitro is lots of fun tho can be a bit tricky to learn at first. Def take notes!
Theres lots of ppl here who know more than I do about nitro. Certainly there are ppl more 'current' with nitro.
I have taken some years off and am getting back into the hobby again too so I'm catching up still.

It seems like you're on your way to success.

Have you replaced and oiled the air filter?

Do you have new glow plugs? Are they the CORRECT glow plugs?
Not all plugs are the same, NOT generic!!!

Are you using brand new fuel from a sealed container?
Nitro fuel can go bad if not stored correctly.

Thats all I got til my brain starts waking up!

 

[DzXrobo]

I'm happy to help. All the info about RadioLink is here, you'll start seeing it in @DavidB1126 and @CJSRCLIFE posts.

My friend had a Savage. I think his was the XL. It had the 5.9 and a 3 speed transmission.
It was a really nice truck!
FAAAAAAAAAST!!!!

Nitro is lots of fun tho can be a bit tricky to learn at first. Def take notes!
Theres lots of ppl here who know more than I do about nitro. Certainly there are ppl more 'current' with nitro.
I have taken some years off and am getting back into the hobby again too so I'm catching up still.

It seems like you're on your way to success.

Have you replaced and oiled the air filter?

Do you have new glow plugs? Are they the CORRECT glow plugs?
Not all plugs are the same, NOT generic!!!

Are you using brand new fuel from a sealed container?
Nitro fuel can go bad if not stored correctly.

Thats all I got til my brain starts waking up!

I did get into the hobby a little back in 2021 but I was left with no time to pursue it any further so here I am back again for a second run but this time I’m aiming to do a full restore with this truck gradually over time.

I have replaced the filter for a brand new one and oiled it accordingly, replaced the plug for an identical sealed unit at my local hobby shop and also purchased brand new 20% Nitro fuel..

I hooked up some power yesterday to the truck (without a handset) got some heat through the motor and raised the truck off the ground.. it started up 4th pull after being sat for a year (Idle was a little rough at first) but after a good full tank cycle at idle it all cleared itself through and seems to be running sweet as a nut

going to order this at the end of the week and hopefully have a blast with it until I start ordering parts left right and centre (which will please the Mrs)

 

[Chubaka]

I did get into the hobby a little back in 2021 but I was left with no time to pursue it any further so here I am back again for a second run but this time I’m aiming to do a full restore with this truck gradually over time.

I have replaced the filter for a brand new one and oiled it accordingly, replaced the plug for an identical sealed unit at my local hobby shop and also purchased brand new 20% Nitro fuel..

I hooked up some power yesterday to the truck (without a handset) got some heat through the motor and raised the truck off the ground.. it started up 4th pull after being sat for a year (Idle was a little rough at first) but after a good full tank cycle at idle it all cleared itself through and seems to be running sweet as a nut

going to order this at the end of the week and hopefully have a blast with it until I start ordering parts left right and centre (which will please the Mrs)
View attachment 253781

Alot of us get parts from here. If you do be sure to compare your parts to the new models. Hpi has sold and tge new models I heard were tweaked some.

https://www.ebay.com/str/jennysrcsports

The other way is to go on hpi website and find the part number and put that part number on ebay. Each model has a standard parts tab for the parts from the factory and another tab with hop ups.

 

[DzXrobo]

Alot of us get parts from here. If you do be sure to compare your parts to the new models. Hpi has sold and tge new models I heard were tweaked some.

https://www.ebay.com/str/jennysrcsports

The other way is to go on hpi website and find the part number and put that part number on ebay. Each model has a standard parts tab for the parts from the factory and another tab with hop ups.

Amazing thank you very much!

 

[Chubaka]

Amazing thank you very much!

Glad your on the right path. Enjoy your new monster. After I finish getting the tmaxxxs on the road imma pull out my savy xl.

 

[DzXrobo]

Glad your on the right path. Enjoy your new monster. After I finish getting the tmaxxxs on the road imma pull out my savy xl.

Absolutely amazing truck fair play what a beast!! Took it out for an hour today and wow now to fine tune everything and get it set-up just right