New Savage X Owner w/questions

[MrV-007]

So I've had electric RC's (cheap ones), wanted a "REAL" RC truck. There's just something about pouring fuel in, smelling and seeing exhaust . . . it just makes me want to puff out my chest and grunt!

Anyway, so now that we went through the break-in (BBBOOORRRIIINNGGG), but we did it anyway. Took it out to a parking lot, and HOLY CRAP can that thing go, when it shifts into second it does a little wheelie and takes off like a rocket.

We did some jumps, took lots of paint off and cracked the body in a few places but the truck still went like a banshee.

But now it's time for some possible upgrades, reading through the forums here and other reviews online I have a few questions for you "experts":
1 - I found that the turning radius is just large on these trucks. But somewhere I read that replacing it with a new steering servo might help. Thoughts?
2 - We think the reverse module would be a great idea: Sometimes it gets into places that reversing out would just make it easier than sending someone, or having to run over there yourself just to turn it around. Thoughts?
3 - My boys like to take jumps and we know that sooner rather than later something will break, what is the most likely thing to break that maybe we could beef up now? I read about stronger A-Arms, anything else? Or do I just wait till it breaks and then just fix what breaks?
4 - Last question, is a tuning question: it seems that when it runs out of fuel and we bring it in then refuel it. If we immediately pin the gas to take off quick it stalls every time, and yet if we start it, then take off slowly and kindof "warmup" the engine we can then come to complete stop, pin the gas and it doesn't stall. I have the tune up chart from here: https://www.rcnitrotalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60832 and will go through it, but maybe someone can help me quicker. Currently other than a minor adjustment on the idle setting (as per the book) the high and low are set at factory specs.

Thanks for helping out a new guy, and I have a feeling that this is the start of an expensive hobby. Wonder if I'll have to sell my golf clubs? :\

 

[Jmacca]

1 - I found that the turning radius is just large on these trucks. But somewhere I read that replacing it with a new steering servo might help. Thoughts?

I did a MP servo saver mod and that help alot, but now it rolls over easier so you may need to consider a roll cage to protect the engine. Also using a Hump pack instead of 4 Double A's will boost power to servos making them stronger and quicker.
https://www.rcnitrotalk.com/savage-mp-servo-saver-mod/

2 - We think the reverse module would be a great idea: Sometimes it gets into places that reversing out would just make it easier than sending someone, or having to run over there yourself just to turn it around. Thoughts?

I have been looking into these they seem pretty cool however there have been complaints that sometimes it get stuck so you may need to consider that.

3 - My boys like to take jumps and we know that sooner rather than later something will break, what is the most likely thing to break that maybe we could beef up now? I read about stronger A-Arms, anything else? Or do I just wait till it breaks and then just fix what breaks?

When jumping make sure you are not on the throttle when you land other wise you'll be destroying the Dogbones and Differentials. I also have heard alot of people bending shock rods however this has not happened to me but you may want to consider keeping some on hand.

With most kits you will want to keep some spare A Arms as they often break. RPM makes some really strong parts for savages.

You will need to address a Half tank lean problem that will become apparent soon there are many fixes for this which includes a longer back pressure line, header tank or mid tank conversion. I went for the header tank because I don't believe a longer back pressure line will fix the problem however other people have had result with it.

You will want to invest in a fuel filter to help protect the engine from ingesting dirt which kills nitro engines quick.

4 - Last question, is a tuning question: it seems that when it runs out of fuel and we bring it in then refuel it. If we immediately pin the gas to take off quick it stalls every time, and yet if we start it, then take off slowly and kindof "warmup" the engine we can then come to complete stop, pin the gas and it doesn't stall.

You may need to lean the LSN a bit to eliminate this problem, What happens is because there is a lot of mass to start moving when the clutch engages if your LSN is too rich the engine will stall because you are slowing down the RPM's enough so that the engine will not continue to rotate. If you don't want to touch the LSN you can gear down a bit that will also help relieve the problem but will lower your over all top speed but you will do more wheel stands :-D

 

[Gnomesta]

hiya mate

i had this. when refuelling u lose the pressure on the tank, since these engines need pos fuel pressure from the exhaust take off, if you nail it, and need all the (non existent) fuel pressure i guess it goes instant lean and stalls......

dont totally believe me, I'm new lol, but i just rebuilt my savage 21 i just got and this happened to me since being easy after refuel (till bashed a bit) its fine.

my turn radius sucks also !

i can't be bothered installing reverse yet, but hey, i use my kids for that ! LOL!

i read something about stock dogbones are crap somewhere. those i am looking for now.

 

[Jmacca]

hiya mate

i had this. when refuelling u lose the pressure on the tank, since these engines need pos fuel pressure from the exhaust take off, if you nail it, and need all the (non existent) fuel pressure i guess it goes instant lean and stalls......

If you lengthen the Fuel line to the engine this problem will also be fixed as there is more fuel in the system allowing it to re-pressurize before you create the leaning condition. a fuel filter/header tank eliminates this all together :-D

 

[Gnomesta]

cool nice one

i swapped out the tank already for a non priming one. ill add a longer header to carb hose and see how it goes. cheers dude.

plus i have some tips from above. i am a proper rc nitro noob learnin on the fly