• Welcome to RCTalk! 🚀

    Join the #1 RC community where hobbyists connect, share, and get expert advice on RC cars, trucks, boats, drones, and more!

    • ✓ Friendly & passionate RC enthusiasts
    • ✓ RC tips & troubleshooting
    • ✓ Buy, sell & trade RC gear
    • ✓ Share builds & upgrades

My onslot of Savage questions before my build.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
FastEddy

FastEddy

The Slowest Guy In Town
Supporter
RCTalk Vendor
Messages
14,677
Reaction score
16
Points
730
Location
El Dorado Hills, CA
Just picked up the 4.6 Kit and am ready to dig in. DarkForce, it’s your fault. New to the site and you just cost me a chunk of change. Damn you! Called in a favor and got it for 375. out the door.

Any suggested upgrades as I’m building it?
How’s the screw kit?
Weak parts?
Servos you guys are happy with.

Bring it on, I'm all ears.
 
Are you going to race it? or Bash it?

Is this a Savage X or the Savage SS?
 
FastEddy said:
Just picked up the 4.6 Kit and am ready to dig in. DarkForce, it’s your fault. New to the site and you just cost me a chunk of change. Damn you! Called in a favor and got it for 375. out the door.

Any suggested upgrades as I’m building it?
How’s the screw kit?
Weak parts?
Servos you guys are happy with.

Bring it on, I'm all ears.
Click to expand...
AHHHH HAAA HAAA HAAAA!
LMFAO!!!!!!
 
Whoo Hoo! Good for you, Ed! Frankly, I haven't found a weak part yet! Only weak points I had were when I installed the Integy piggybacks and they folded like hot butter! DON'T GO THAT ROUTE!

I installed the 3-speed tranny, which is nice, but wouldn't be the first upgrade I'd make. I've got a 5625MG throttle/break servo and a 5645MG steering servo, never a problem to date and both handle the task superbly. I just did install the reverse module, mainly because I am a lazy bastard, and it went in without a problem and works great!

I cannot recall if the 4.6 kit comes with a center skid plate, so you may look into that.

Otherwise, lot of fun! Enjoy it, Ed!
 
The X isnt available in kit form as of yet.
Is there an issue with the OEM scew set or is it just a nice upgrade?
As for the shocks and towers Ill upgrade them when they fold. I have a set of buggy shocks itching to be used.

I was thinking 160-200 seems to be the right torque range for the steering I just need to decide what I want to go with. I have a 5625 in the parts box so I'm set there.

Ratzo,
If I want to hear from you, I just start to wire something. Till then sit by the phone. :D
 
so.. anyone wanna make bets as to when its complete?? i got last 1/4 of 2010...
 
Hub hex conversion: The K4.6 makes alot of low end torque so you'll be more prone to stripping hexes.

Reverse Module: purely convenience

Offset wheels of any kind before you glue the stocks. (anything other than HPI brand wheels. I've broken so many it's not even funny anymore.)

RC Boys Triple rate springs. Much better than stocks, IMO. They take the light stuff better and provide better support against bottoming out.

Obviously shim the diff gears real good.

Aluminum diff cups. Savages like to strip out the spider gears due to the flex of the plastic.

OFNA clutch bell. These mesh better with the spur gears and don't strip them out as easily.

Other than that you should be good to go.

Here's my X

010100011.webp

010100021.webp
 
definitely get a tank guard. the offset tank is prone to getting cracked.

i'm not sure if they fixed the throttle linkage slop from the s25, but u may want to consider the Ofna linkage throttle mod if they didn't.

the stock shocks are fine for bashing. i've had mine for yrs and with proper care they will last.

can't think of anything else...
 
I just cracked it open to find all Phillips head screws :(
Ordering a set of REAL screws before I get rolling on it. The diffs are also pre-built, ill have to take them apart, shim them, and fill em up with goopie-goop of my liking.
 
FastEddy said:
As for the shocks and towers Ill upgrade them when they fold. I have a set of buggy shocks itching to be used.
Click to expand...

If you are gonna wait till they fold you will be waiting a long time. My SS is close to four years old, I still have not broken a shock, or tower yet.

For servos I have a 5645 for steering and a 625 for throttle and brake, and they have worked great.

For screws I went with an rcscrewz kit when I built mine because the first SS kit came with phillips screws, and no way was I using those.
 
This kit came with phillips as well... WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? Would they do that?
Just ordered a set of RacersEdge SS and will have them in 3 days.
 
Ed, were the wheel hexs clamp on ones or the standard slip over the drive pin ones?

might want to consider getting the clamp on ones.
 
All Savages come with the dreaded Phillips head screws. The only thing I would consider a must is a good tank guard, I liked the one from New Era, it was a nice fit and very strong. For a steering servo I used a Futaba S9350, I ran big Joe 40's, Imex wide offset wheels, even at a stop it never had trouble turning them.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXBXA7&P=7

Use lock tight on the wheel nuts and you shouldn't have trouble with the wheel hex.
 
I never had a problem with the stock screws.

The aluminum rear diff cup filled with oil and 4 side gears is a must.

I like the reverse module.

HPI Roll Bar.

HPI Wheelie Bar.

I have been using two Futaba S3003 standard servos, one Futaba S3305 HT Metal gear servo, a 6V NiMH receiver battery pack, and an Ofna failsafe. No problems in over 3 years.

Uniflow mod is a very good idea.

Charger and transponder ports are good ideas.

Front and Rear Universal Dog Bones. Loctite the set screws and cover the pin area on the outside of the cups with shoe goo to prevent pin loss if the set screw loosens.

Flip the nut/bolt setup used on the shock tower near the tank.

Replace the brass clutch bell spacer with either shims or a clutch bearing.

The stock throttle return spring setup is no good.
 
Last edited:
I have the old S-25. Since it is almost stock I can't recommend anything....


Would like to say congrats on the new ride.
I have the bug to build a kit, but short on funds.

Besides I have planes that have been "on the boards" as long as that Chris Craft boat.:hehe:
Good luck with it bro.
 

RC Builds

Back
Top