Please help. HPI Savage X SS K5.9 or Savage XL.

[skerts]

A little backround.. I had a HPI Pro4 and a Savage 25 that I hopped up like crazy and changed the engine to the K4.6. I moved to Canada from the UK last year and had to sell them but now the bugs back and I can't decide between the two trucks. I love the original savage but I was wondering if you guys and girls could give me some info on the the XL - pros and cons. I like the idea of the SS K5.9 but the XL comes with all the usual hop-ups and the parts I would buy for the SS before I begin assembly anyway. Also I've found a website here in Canada that sells the XL for $10 cheaper than the SS - is that the deal breaker in this situation?

Sorry to go on, all help appreciated.

 

[Scrogg]

The 5.9 is a good truck except for the engine. It comes with a lot better drivetrain than the SS kits and X versions do. Also comes with a pretty decent steering servo.
If you have radio gear or know you can't stand a factory AM radio buy the SS kit, sell the 5.9 on E-Bay and buy a LRP .30 or Picco .28, both are more powerful and reliable.
JMO

 

[skerts]

So what about the Savage X with the 4.6? Any good? I don't know if I want to go to the bigger size of the XL but as I mentioned, it comes with all the basic hopups added from stock. I'm not bothered whether I buy the truck RTR or Kit and either way I'll upgrade the electronics probably to spread spectrum.

 

[charliejp]

Love my SS K4.6!!! I built it with innovative lcg tvps and it's rock solid.

 

[Scrogg]

So what about the Savage X with the 4.6? Any good? I don't know if I want to go to the bigger size of the XL but as I mentioned, it comes with all the basic hopups added from stock. I'm not bothered whether I buy the truck RTR or Kit and either way I'll upgrade the electronics probably to spread spectrum.

It's the best engine HPI offers at the moment. The K series is a bit faster on top end but the F4.6 is a blast tuned properly. Wheelies on demand.

 

[skerts]

I've been thinking about it and i would prefere a kit as I know i'll pick up a load of hop-ups at the same time. But what about the XL, is it better balanced? Does the extended size make much of a difference or are you better off with the original?

 

[charliejp]

Dude just get some extended lcg tvps and you've got an XL. Upgrade the motor later if you like. With the extended lcg tvps you wont wheelie or roll over hardly at all unless you're really trying.

 

[skerts]

Well I don't mind buying the XL from the start but wondered how people were getting on with them. I see on HPI's website that they're not much bigger than the original but to be honest, I don't know if I want the excess size. I was always pretty happy with my original Savage. I am leaning more towards the Savage X SS 4.6 though and its shame people have bad things to say about the 5.9 because that almost 1 extra horsepower sure sounds pretty darn good

 

[Scrogg]

I prefer to use a ful LCG extended chassis on my Savages. You can make high speed turns without flipping over easily.
If you are going to build a custom Savage, buy the kit and pick the parts you want.
IMO, Innovative R/C has the best chassis on the market.

 

[skerts]

Ok so final purchase date is looming, I'm really itching to get back into the hobby and I'm positive I want another Savage. The trouble is I've been reading a lot of threads on here, taking your guys advice and watching vids on youtube and now I'm really stuck for choice...
So which do I go for:
Savage X SS Kit - joy of building, easy to mod from the start.
Savage XL - big, planted, RTR,
Or...
Savage Flux - didn't like it at first but looks good in the vids and people seem to have nothing but good things to say about it...

Money isn't an issue being spoilt for choice is, it was much easier in the past when there was just the .21, .25 and SS Savages.

 

[charliejp]

I prefer to use a ful LCG extended chassis on my Savages. You can make high speed turns without flipping over easily.
If you are going to build a custom Savage, buy the kit and pick the parts you want.
IMO, Innovative R/C has the best chassis on the market.

+1
Scrogg helped me pick all the extras for my SS build and I've got 1 killer SS now!
Only truck I can recommend as far as Savages go.

 

[Scrogg]

The Flux is the badboy of the bunch when it comes to brute power. It's just a matter of how much battery you want to buy. The Flux is so strong it will shatter the tranny and diffs easily with the big lipos. All the guys on savage-central are shimming their trannies and installing the new bulletproof diffs from HPI.
I'm ashamed to say I'd forgotten about that Charlie, glad you are happy with it still.

 

[skerts]

Say I go for the Flux with 2 x 2s Lipo batterys. Nothing too hectic but good enough. Would that produce the same speed as a 4.6 Savvy? Also how are the run times? I've read on HPI's website that it shares alot of parts with the new XL which is quite impressive but just 4 shocks?! And anyway, Nitro sounds great and I love the smell haha.

 

[Scrogg]

The new 4 shock system is awesome. They handle great and can take big air. Your runtime will time depend on the mah rating of the batts you choose. I'd go at least 3s 5000 mah or higher, you can always dial some power out with the speedo and TX. It will blow the doors off the K4.6 and run around 30 minutes with no loss of power like Nimh packs. The power is consistent from the time you plug them in until the battery dumps
Go to www.savage-central.com and research. That is the place for the best info on all Savages.

 

[skerts]

3S Lipos? Are you sure? I've seen the official HPI vid where he blows a tire and can still wheelie whilst doing 30-40 on a straight. It seems like too much. Would I not have enough fun with some 5000mAh 2s Batteries?

 

[Scrogg]

I honestly have not ran a Flux, that's why I referred you to the other site. I am nitro guy, who has just paid a little attention to what the Flux has been up too.
I'd bet it would be just fine with a pair of 2s packs.

 

[skerts]

Ok I understand about you being a nitro guy so I'd like you're biased opinion.. Which truck of the three to get me back in the hobby as i'm really stuck on the fence over this..