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Racing my savage!

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mxboy100

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Hey savagers,
This weekend i went to a track i have never been to before and raced my stock savage. I got 2nd in the monster class. This was also my first time going to a track to drive my car.
So now i am hooked:
I got a race in 2 weeks.
What do i need to transfer my savage to a pretty decent race truck. Tires, brakes, etc. Pleaz be specific on what company or type. And if you could put them into a list from important-least important, i would appreciate this. Or little tricks i could do for example putting zip ties in the shocks or somethin like that.







Savage 25
X-Cellerator
 
First thing I would say is to get a HPI Cam-Type Servo saver. It greatly improves the handleing ability and turnign radius of the truck.

Second is if you think you need better brakes, like if it is a short turny track, I would get the HPI Dual Steel Rotor brake kit.

If you haven't already upgraded the steering servo, do that as well. Maybe a Hitec HS645-MG or even a 945.

Tires would be a good idea, Proline 40 Series Bowties I hear are a great racing tire. Good luck!
 
try taking one shock off of each corner of the truck so you have 4 it will give you a lower stance and a lower cg. just get some thicker shock oil(i think 35 or 40 wt should be good.)
 
I finally got my savage out this weekend and ran with the one shock setup. Lower overall height and more supple ride, but with 35 wt oil I left the second shock on (without the spring) for extra damping. Not as nice as the LST I was running with, but he ripped one corner of his suspension off and went home about 2 hours before I did. Sucker...
 
Lighten up the rotating mass. HPI makes a set of tranny gears that are allot lighter than the stock ones. They also make Titanium shafts for the tranny to further reduce rotating mass. Next would be the rims/tires. I hear good things about the Proline 40 series Bowties with Velocity dish rims. Anything you can due to reduce weight and make it stronger will help you out. The 4 spider diff, servo saver mod, and Ofna linkage mod will also help out. You can also lower the center of gravity by using bits of fuel tubing to limit the shock length.Cut out 8 pieces of fuel line 1/2" each and place one on each shock shaft inside the shock body to lower the trucks COG without sacrificing the suspension.
 
I would consider these options:

-- Buy a high-torque servo for the steering.
Such as: Hitec HS-645 or Hitec HS-5645MG (I prefer the 5645MG)
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXUZ80&P=ML

-- Take the stock steering servo (SF-2) and put it on your brakes.
You can check out this tip to dial in your linkages.
https://www.rcnitrotalk.com/2005/savage-linkage-mod/

-- Definitely get some lighter tires and rims. What kind of track is it (clay, sand, etc.)?
This will help you decide on which type of tires.

-- Consider a higher weight shock oil (40) and maybe switching out to a triple rate spring.
RCBoyz has a very nice triple rate spring that I run with.
http://www.carttonic.com/catalog/in...tion=catalog_productinfo&uid=466&pi_id=115710

-- Try to dial in your gearing and optimize it for the track that you race on. You can change out your spur gear or clutch bell as needed.

-- Consider a 6V humppack. It will keep your servo's fully powered for your races. As regular alkaline batteries die, you loose power to your servo's. Thus they will turn and move slower and also won't respond as fast.

-- Consider a Motor Saver Intake and a new pipe. I run with the OFNA dual chamer tuned pipe and have had great success with that combination.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDVJ2&P=ML
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCWH0&P=

-- Consider changing your nitro fuel % or oil % to give you a little extra power if needed. I have run the Trinity Monster Horsepower 30% in the stock engine and have gotten some sweet power from her. Plus, it still has 12% oil lube so you don't burn the engine out.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXNE14&P=

There are tons of other items, but those would be the best to start off with. The hardest thing is learning how to drive on your track. All the power and performance in the world won't mean jack, if you can't control the truck.

Here's some driving tip:
-- Don't make sudden jerks on the steering. Smooth controlled movements is needed. Never take your hand off the steering wheel. Don't turn it all the way, and then let go to allow the truck to center itself again.

-- Learn how to control the throttle/brakes. Sometimes you need to drop the hammer but other times you might only need to give her half throttle or half brakes. Don't get in the habit of either WOT or Full Brakes. Practice on controlling her in the middle ranges.

-- Brake before you go into the corners (if needed), to slow down. Don't brake in the middle of the corners. Braking prior to the corners will allow you to have a quicker exit speed and allow you to setup a better driving line.

-- Learn where on the track your truck seems to grip the best or you drive the best. These will be the places where you should concentrate on passing others.

Sorry to go overboard and give such a long list, but hopefully you will at least see one thing that you can try out.

Later......
 
Kool, thanx guys. I will look into these ideas.

Anybody can just keep on going with this list, i am open to as many ideas as i can get. I've got the need for speed now!
 
Getting better brakes than stock will also help you out through the tight parts of the track and give you more control while your in the air. I just installed the HPI Steel setup but haven't had the chance to test them out yet. I think they will work out great though!!!
Maybe I missed it but I didn't see what type of Savage you have. Savage21, Savage25, Savage SS? HPI sells adjustable upper a-arms and turnbuckles to help you get the truck setup for your track.You'll have to experiment with different setups to see what feels better.Also different rate springs so you can adjust the suspension for the track. I think it's GPM that sells a whole set of springs with a bunch of different rates so you might want to look at those too.
 
I put on Nova towers on mine as they are super adjustable! I would play with the suspension and see what gives you both steering and speed. The stock towers suck IMO. I also got Maximizer beadlocks to change different tires. Also on your tires before you mount em on to the rim, Apply dcut tape to the inner portion of the tire. This will help you have a belt type tire and reduce ballooning.
 
The HPI steel brake kit IS nice. My neice has it on her truck and I may like it more than my Hotbodies brake kit. Word of advice...TEST drive the brake kit with an old lid...If you have any traction at all with a heavy brake finger, you will be upside down.
 

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