Does the Savage has a Racing potential ???

[sLiTcH]

Hi, I have some cash to spend and I might invest it in a Savage SS. This is just a choice that i'm studying right now. The Savage SS looks a GREAT basher with the long travel suspension but does it have racing capabilities. Can I tune the suspension to set it as a racing truck ? You probably all saw the Storm Unlimited Truck, I really like the stance of the truck, it looks really low. Will I be able to achieve that same stance with a Savage SS ?

[VMach]

The GS Storm Unlimited Truck is better than the Savage(any version) as a all out race truck! The dominator is too! You just can't beat those truggy designs. Now if you can really drive you can hang with them but given equal drivers the Savage comes in 3rd. I own a Savage too and race it every weekend! O'm thinking about getting a Storm MT myself.

[boomski]

Savage #3 ??
Dominator & Storm #1&2 ??
Does this make the T-Maxx #4 ?????????
Ouch Baby!...Very Ouch!!!

Phil

[kitty]

The Savage can be set up for racing. Just remove any shock spacers to lower it a little. You can also use slightly softer springs. A set of tires appropriate for the track would work well too.

The great thing about the Savage is, you can set it up for racing, then make a few changes and it's ready to bash with the best of them. But if you're only going to race, then, as much as I love the Savage, I recommend a truggy-type chassis truck such as the Ofna Dominator or the GS Storm Unlimited.
kitty

[WheelNut]

Yes the Savage is a good race truck. Its alot more stable than the maxx on the track to which is good.

[VMach]

You will hardly ever see a Savage not finish a race because it broke. Might lose a diff or something but it can still keep going! So if you want reliablity go with the Savage. Stay away fron the t-maxx's unless you want to put a ton of money into it.

[-=ADA$=-]

storm and dom maybe better on track cause theyr 1/8 stadium trucks ( gs even states that its 1/8 ST) and savage is rather MT so it sits much higher, with more ground clearance, which would make it harder to race than with dom or storm

[doesgo]

I agree, the durability of the Savage is key with MT racing, especially if it's a track with decent jumps. I raced my Savage against one other and about five Maxxes last fall. I won, the other Savage came in 2nd, and only one of the Maxxes even finished!

That said, a Dominator or GS SUT will likely kick the butt of any Savage or T-Maxx with equivalent drivers. I got an SUT to race with, can't wait to get it out on the track!

Keep in mine, however, that as more and more Doms and SUTs get out there, it's more likely they'll be in an "unlimited" class while the traditional MTs will be in their own class because they can't compete with the truggies.

[rcsavage25]

ok,i race a savage 25 and it is alot more stable then the t-maxx and doesnt require much i mean just start it up and go.its extremley reliable and is a fun truck if your just gonna go out on the weekend and race wit a couple of friends but if your lookin to finnish 1st or 2nd look into the dominator or if you dont wanna buy another truck just look into a new engine for your savage like the new serio .27 or the picco .26 outlaw.

Thanks:D

[spy5870]

hey r/c savage.. have you seen the new .27 in action?!? i'm dying to know what that thing is like... lemmie know!

[slodsm]

The Truggies will always be faster on a track becuase that is what they are built for. I have never seen a Savage at the track personaly becuase they are just not dominant in my area but having owned 3 maxxes, I can tell you that the reliability is the key and maxxes just really dont' have it. I can count on my hands how many races I finished without incident in the 2002 season, last year all I raced was 1/8 scale and electric buggy just because its more fun to race and not worry about breaking. This year though, I think I am not going to race at all, I am in the process of building another maxx, hopefully one that may break my wallet but not on the track. Good luck with your decision.

[I B RACIN]

The T-Maxx is the king of the true M/T, and I'm not saying that the savage is not a good truck, but it just can't hang with a T-Maxx and a good driver at the track.

The 1/8 scales with M/T tires on them, are not true M/T, so they are in a class all there own, in our N/W race series, we do not have a class for them.

I B..

[doesgo]

How do you define a "true" MT in the rules? In other words, what rules do you use to outlaw truggies?

[doesgo]

Also, do you allow the CEN Fun Factor MT2 to race in the MT class?

[I B RACIN]

Here is the list.

ALLOWED CHASSIS
· Associated MGT
· Dynamite TMaxx .21 Conversion Chassis
· Hardcore TMaxx .21 Conversion Chassis
· HPI Savage (21, 25, SS )
· Kyosho 1/8th Mad Armor .21
· Kyosho 1/8th Mad Force (all editions)
· Kyosho Mega Force
· OFNA 1/8th Titan
· Tamiya Clod Buster
· Tamiya Dump Truck
· Tamiya Terra Crusher
· Tamiya TNX
· Tamiya TXT-1
· Traxxas EMaxx
· Traxxas TMaxx
· XTM TMaxx .21 Conversion Chassis
· XTM X-Factor
ILLEGAL CHASSIS
· CEN Fun Factor MT I & II
· DuraTrax 1/8th Nitro Quake
· DuraTrax Maximum MT Pro
· Hot Bodies 4WD Nitro Dirt Demon
· JT Racing Havoc Chassis Kit
· Kyosho 1/8th USA-1 Nitro Crusher
· Mutant Maxx Chassis Kit
· OFNA 1/8th Monster Pirate
· OFNA Dominator
· OFNA Pirate 10
· OFNA Titan Twin
· Schumacher Menace Nitro .21
· Tamiya Twin Detonator
· Thunder Tiger 1/8th EK-4
· Thunder Tiger SSK
· XTM Mammoth

For the most part anything with a pan style chassis, or 1/8 scale type C/G is not allowed.

I B..

[doesgo]

Thanks.

[spy5870]

i like bashing. i like the savage. i love superbowl halftime shows.

[shadowghost1]

Im with spy, super bowl halftime shows are cool but I would still rather have the Savage.

[tlane77]

I race my Savage. I just threw on some off-set wheels so it handles the corners easier. Just don't put all that aluminum and titanium stuff on it \, so it stays relatively light.

[rcsavage25]

spy my friend popped a serio .27 in his savage ss and it rips it sounds and performs like theres 2 engines in the truck its just amazing!!!!:p :p :p

[VMach]

Originally posted by I B RACIN
Here is the list.

ALLOWED CHASSIS
· Associated MGT
· Dynamite TMaxx .21 Conversion Chassis
· Hardcore TMaxx .21 Conversion Chassis
· HPI Savage (21, 25, SS )
· Kyosho 1/8th Mad Armor .21
· Kyosho 1/8th Mad Force (all editions)
· Kyosho Mega Force
· OFNA 1/8th Titan
· Tamiya Clod Buster
· Tamiya Dump Truck
· Tamiya Terra Crusher
· Tamiya TNX
· Tamiya TXT-1
· Traxxas EMaxx
· Traxxas TMaxx
· XTM TMaxx .21 Conversion Chassis
· XTM X-Factor
ILLEGAL CHASSIS
· CEN Fun Factor MT I & II
· DuraTrax 1/8th Nitro Quake
· DuraTrax Maximum MT Pro
· Hot Bodies 4WD Nitro Dirt Demon
· JT Racing Havoc Chassis Kit
· Kyosho 1/8th USA-1 Nitro Crusher
· Mutant Maxx Chassis Kit
· OFNA 1/8th Monster Pirate
· OFNA Dominator
· OFNA Pirate 10
· OFNA Titan Twin
· Schumacher Menace Nitro .21
· Tamiya Twin Detonator
· Thunder Tiger 1/8th EK-4
· Thunder Tiger SSK
· XTM Mammoth

For the most part anything with a pan style chassis, or 1/8 scale type C/G is not allowed.

I B.. Instead of calling these ILLEGAL CHASSIS, they should be in the Unlimited Monster truck class or a open class.

[I B RACIN]

That is where they would be if we had a class for them.

but right now only real M/T have a class in the NCT. series.

http://www.northwestchamps.com/

I B..

[SavageMan21]

What should be done to the savage to race it? Are their any minor things that I can get to improve racing performance?

[doesgo]

Is it a Savage 21 or 25 or SS? Is it bone stock right now?

[SavageMan21]

It is a Savage 21 that I have upgraded to Savage SS specs, I have medium firm green springs, the reverse module, the rotostart, the upgraded fuel tank, and I plan on getting the three shoe clutch.

[doesgo]

You've done the major stuff, so you're off to a good start. I'd dump the reverse module (more weight you don't need for racing), get some Trinity Maxx foams for the tires, get some Maxx Mulchers or Bowtie tires (MUCH lighter than stock) depending on your track conditions, some Pro-Line Velocity wheels (dish style, very light), and consider filling the diffs with diff lube to aid traction.

What do you have for a steering servo and servo saver? If stock, you need to upgrade in order to hold a tight line around the track. What weight shock oil do you have?

Other upgrades that can make a difference but aren't that simple are titanium hinge pins and turnbuckles, lightweight tranny gears (aluminum and Delrin), titanium tranny shafts, as well as a Delrin spur gear. Lose all the weight you can, that'll make it accelerate better and handle better.

[SavageMan21]

Thanks for your help.


I am using 30 wt oil, and the servo is still stock, what would you recommend?

~Justin

[doesgo]

30wt is a good starting point for shock oil.

If you want to go cheap, the Hitec 645MG is a decent servo at $40, and the sky is the limit. The more you spend, the more power you get and the faster the transit time. If you're just starting out, I'd get the 645MG and run it that way for a while, at least until your driving skills improve enough to show the steering servo is the limiting factor (probably take a while).

I'd also get a stronger-than-stock servo saver for the steering servo. You can get a cheaper one like a GS servo-mounted saver for about $6, or get the OFNA Monster Pirate saver. It's $20, but it's a lot better. It replaces your steering posts, I think it's adjustable, it replaces the plastic bushings in your steering with bearings (VERY IMPORTANT), and it's more durable than the servo-mounted savers.

Oh, regarding the steering bearings, I'd do that upgrade regardless of which saver you use. Get four 6mm x 10mm bearings to replace the cheesy plastic bushings in the steering posts. Of course, those alone will cost you nearly with the MP saver will, which comes with the bearings!

[SavageMan21]

Thanks again, I will probably get the monster pirate servo saver and the hitec servo.

~Justin

[electric130]

Originally posted by doesgo
I'd also get a stronger-than-stock servo saver for the steering servo. You can get a cheaper one like a GS servo-mounted saver for about $6, or get the OFNA Monster Pirate saver. It's $20, but it's a lot better. It replaces your steering posts, I think it's adjustable, it replaces the plastic bushings in your steering with bearings (VERY IMPORTANT), and it's more durable than the servo-mounted savers. where can you get these? I haven't seen them anywhere. i just put in the 645MG, but the stock servo saver won't fit on the shaft of the servo. i assume you don't want to just put a regular servo horn on it.

i'm thinking of swapping out my stock motor for a 26 or 27, but i'm concerned about starting. i love the roto-start and it makes starting a breeze. sometimes my motor will take 30 seconds or so of cranking before it will start up. due to the style of the chassis, you can't use a bump-box starter. i'm worried if i go to something with a pull start that i'll never get the thing started if it's as stuborn as my stock engine can be. Sirios are way too expensive so i was thinking of a picco. just wondering how much of a difference over the stock motor it is.

[doesgo]

I don't know who has them in stock, Tower is out until (supposedly) late February. http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXABH5&P=K

You could try NitroHouse.com, they're a big OFNA seller.

You're right, the Hitec servo has a different output shaft than the stock servo, I forgot about that. Most hobby stores should carry a supply of servo horns, you should be able to get one that fits a Hitec servo.

Until you get the MP saver, I'd get a GS Racing servo-mounted saver or one of these: http://store.savagess.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_28&products_id=119&osCsid=c0ff0c41bea32f395008b5e238ea9245

As for the engine, the Picco .26 is much more powerful than the stock .21BB! It's a bit finicky, but when it's in tune, it's a monster!

If you want easy starting and easy tuning but with a bit less power, consider the O.S. .21 RG-X.

[electric130]

Originally posted by doesgo
You're right, the Hitec servo has a different output shaft than the stock servo, I forgot about that. Most hobby stores should carry a supply of servo horns, you should be able to get one that fits a Hitec servo.

Until you get the MP saver, I'd get a GS Racing servo-mounted saver or one of these: http://store.savagess.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_28&products_id=119&osCsid=c0ff0c41bea32f395008b5e238ea9245

As for the engine, the Picco .26 is much more powerful than the stock .21BB! It's a bit finicky, but when it's in tune, it's a monster!

If you want easy starting and easy tuning but with a bit less power, consider the O.S. .21 RG-X. the hi-tec came with several horns. can i just put one of those on there for now? will it damage anything? as far as the motor goes, i've got the Savage 25 right now, would going down to a 21 be worth it? i was hoping to go larger than the stock 25, unless a racing/turbo/whatever 21 would be faster than the N.S.-25 that came with the truck.

[doesgo]

I've heard nothing but favorable reviews of the S-25, so I'd stick with it. You won't get enough out of a Picco .26 or whatever to justify the cost, in my opinion.

You can run a regular arm on the servo, but you'll run a higher risk of breaking the servo or the arm or some other part of the linkage because there's nothing to absorb the shock if you hit a rock or wall or something.

[electric130]

i just bought the GS saver. i looked at the OFNA, but it looked like it would take some fabrication to make it work. i'll prolly go to that eventually, but don't feel like messing with it for now. the S-25 is a very good motor. the picco .26 is much faster though. i talked to 2 people today at LHS's that went from the s-25 to the picco and they said the change was definitely worth it. the low end torque and power is so much better and that's what matters on most tracks. the second LHS i went to had ran an S25 savage against a picco 26 savage and the picco totally smoked the S25. so i think that will be my next investment. i ran the new bow tie 40's on the track for the first time today. no matter how hot i went into a turn, i couldn't get it to roll over. the truck is rock solid stable now, and i still had the stock spacers on the shocks. i'll remove those for races to drop the stance a little. bow tie 40's are the only way to go for the dirt track.

[SavageMan21]

How much acceleration do you loose with the 40 size tires?

~Justin

[electric130]

Originally posted by SavageMan21
How much acceleration do you loose with the 40 size tires?

~Justin none. i gained acceleration. they are the same width and slightly smaller diameter than the stock tires. plus they are much lighter. throttle response is much better now with the 40's. i just put the stock back on to bash around the yard and it's noticably slower with the stock wheels. the dish rims would be even better for racing because they're lighter still, but i just hate the way they look, so i got the chrome rims. bow tie 40's should be on every savage racer's "to do" list.

[electric130]

for those that would like to see a comparison between the stock wheels and the bowtie 40's, i've attached a couple pics for your viewing enjoyment:

http://www.coe.uncc.edu/~jreaton/Truckpics/bowite%20stock%20front.JPG

http://www.coe.uncc.edu/~jreaton/Truckpics/bowtie%20stock%20width.JPG

i know above that i said that they were the same width, but i guess the bowties are slightly wider which is good for the track. mak sure you glue them on good though, i had to reglue my front ones after about 30 minutes on the track.

[electric130]

Originally posted by doesgo
I don't know who has them in stock, Tower is out until (supposedly) late February. http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXABH5&P=K is this a direct replacement, or am i going to have to fabricate some stuff? i got the GS saver, but it is HORRIBLE! even if the truck is moving, it won't turn the wheels unless you're accelerating. it's weak as hell! gotta do something different.

[doesgo]

Really? That's strange, I haven't had a problem with mine at all.

I believe the only oddball stuff with the MP saver is you need a couple funky screws, the kind you use to hold the calipers onto the tranny on a Savage. They have a long shoulder and not much thread at the end. I haven't actually done the mod yet, so I'm going by what I've been told.

Try out www.savage-central.com for a ton more Savage hop-up info.

[electric130]

i replaced the GS servo saver today with a Kimbrough #124. it works so much better. i may still consider doing the pirate upgrade, but for now, the Kimbrough is doing great. i don't have the part number anymore but i think the GS the LHS sold me was a standard and this Kimbrough is a heavy duty. it has a big warning on it that it's only for HEAVY DUTY SERVOS. i drove it for awhile and it worked great. also, on the Hi-Tec Ultra Torque 645MG that i'm using for steering, the screw that holds the servo horn on backed out twice. the second time i lost it and had to buy a bag of screws. i put a tiny drop of blue loc-tite on the new screw and it worked like a charm. the screw is machine threads, so i recommend using the loc-tite.

[Redbullrider111]

I have a Savage 25 I was wondering what body would be best for the savage to race with with, I know that the crowd pleazer would probably be best but is it the right size to fit the savage. It seems like it would be awful short. Should I just use a truck body and slap some numberplates on it or what. I already got alot of mods for my savage and its plenty fast for racing. My racing season starts march 6th so i would really appriciate it if someone could direct me in the right way for a race body. I am going to get some 40 series bowtie tires. I dont know what else i would need but if you could tell me I would really appriciate it.

Thanks,
Jeremy

[electric130]

here's how to do the MP steering setup. http://www.savage-central.com/ftopic2361.html

[doesgo]

The Crowd Pleazer body for the Maxx fits the Savage quite nicely. I've been running one since last September.

http://www.2quicknovas.com/bruce/dsc00644s.jpg

[doesgo]

Originally posted by electric130
i replaced the GS servo saver today with a Kimbrough #124. it works so much better. i may still consider doing the pirate upgrade, but for now, the Kimbrough is doing great. i don't have the part number anymore but i think the GS the LHS sold me was a standard and this Kimbrough is a heavy duty. it has a big warning on it that it's only for HEAVY DUTY SERVOS. i drove it for awhile and it worked great. also, on the Hi-Tec Ultra Torque 645MG that i'm using for steering, the screw that holds the servo horn on backed out twice. the second time i lost it and had to buy a bag of screws. i put a tiny drop of blue loc-tite on the new screw and it worked like a charm. the screw is machine threads, so i recommend using the loc-tite.
That's funny, I tried a Kimbrough and found it to be a total piece of junk! Well, maybe I just happened to get a bad one. I'm glad it's working for you, though. And yes, just like any metal screw going into metal, Loctite is a must!

[electric130]

Originally posted by doesgo
That's funny, I tried a Kimbrough and found it to be a total piece of junk! Well, maybe I just happened to get a bad one. I'm glad it's working for you, though. And yes, just like any metal screw going into metal, Loctite is a must! maybe you got a junk Kimbrough and i got a junk GS.:D anywho. the Kimbrough is just a temp fix till i can get around to doing the MP bell crank mod. just trying to find somewhere that's got the stuff i need in stock.

[Redbullrider111]

So far I am getting the following for my Savage 25 for this years upcomming race season.

Maxx Crowd Pleazer Body
Bowtie 40 Series Tires
40 Series Velocity Wheels

there are some things here and there that I wanna get but no major things. If there is anything else I need to get please feel free to post. I really wanna get a real good race setup and have the fastest truck out there without having to make any major changes like engine and stuff. I wanna keep it light too.

Thanks,

Jeremy

[doesgo]

Adding adjustable upper arms (HPI) and titanium turnbuckles will make it a lot easier to set up your truck (camber and toe), and if you have a few bucks you can invest in some lightweight gears and tranny shafts. Go with Delrin to replace plastic, aluminum to replace steel, and also throw in the titanium tranny shafts. You should be able to do all those gears and shafts for under $100 and they'll really lower the rotating mass of the truck, which will really help the truck get around the track!

The other main things are the wheels and tires, which you've already addressed. I'd also suggest some Trinity 3-piece Maxx foams, the stock ones are super soft. Make sure they'll work with the 40-series stuff first, however.

[Redbullrider111]

I will look into all those special parts and adjustable stuff. But another thing that was suggusted to me when I was at my LHS this past weekend a guy told me to use a rechargeable NiMH bettery pack designed for the reciever. Is this a good thing to do I was looking at the HPI 1200mAh NiMH 6 Volt Receiver Hump Pack It says its recomended for the savage and other vechicles.
I dont know exactly which charger to get. I already have a Duratrax Piranha Peak Power Charger. I wanna get pretty much the best stuff for it. If anybody can help me choose race stuff please feel free to do so.

Thanks,
Jeremy

[doesgo]

Yeah, a rechargeable receiver pack is a VERY good thing. Get one with a charge lead built in, or solder one in yourself. That way you won't have to take apart your radio tray very often. I've found the 2x3 hump pack to fit pretty nicely, and 1200mAh should have a good run time. Higher capacity packs are out there, but I've never had a problem bashing all day (on and off) with a 1200 pack.

The Duratrax Intellipeak charger is quite versatile at around $100, the MRC 969 has a ton of features also, for around $100-$120, and you can certainly spend a whole lot more than that if you want. If all you're doing is charging receiver packs, however, I'd probably just get something like the MRC 959 for around $40.

[Adanmtxt1]

The Savage SS has a great racing potential and so does the T-Maxx 2.5

[savagepicco26]

i have done a bunch of upgrades to my savage and we'll see how it handles on the track on friday. here's a link to some pics of where i'll be driving at:

page 1 with video clip of track (http://www.victorylanekarting.com/entryform2.htm)

page 2 with more videos and pics (http://www.victorylanekarting.com/2004_photo_gallery.htm)

video clip of a race (also on page 2) (http://www.victorylanekarting.com/RC%202003/catch%20me%20rc.MPG)

[HPICasper]

looks awesome let us know how it goes:D

[smily]

would a savage be a good beginner truck

[lou diamonds]

Originally posted by smily the savage is a great first truck. i have the .21. soon i will drop in a .46 from hot bodies. as for a race truck, it has potential, it has to lose some wieght though. with a good tune you should be in business.
would a savage be a good beginner truck

[savageP3]

well if you wanna race id get cf chassis, nova towers/ue racer x shocks, competition engine (Picco Werks P3 .26) i run these things with a 18t/49t combo and its faster and handles better than a buggy

[HPICasper]

My Savage SS is on the way!!

[Boxxer]

Just a side note. Racing against truggies is a challenge with real MTs. They accl and brake better, and are lower. They also look pretty lame when a savage with a .26 and 40series bowties takes them on the inside.

Actually, they just look lame in general. Im having fun getting the savage to work on a track. Swaybar testing this weekend.

[savageP3]

well id have to disagree. my savvy with cf chassis, nova towers, supermaxx shocks, picco/werks P3 motor, HB pipe and 40 series ties and hd bones/cups could smoke most truggies since it practically is! :confused:

[minikeg121]

i have a problem with the stock throttle servo arm from the savage ss kit, the clip for the top and bottom pieces is too weak and is unable to open the carb whenever i press the gas, i have temporarily fixed the problem by putting a screw through the top and bottom pieces, however everytime i press the brakes the engine dies because it closes the carb too much, also the servo is not allowed to make its full rotation when i brake because there is not enough travel in the carb to allow it to move any farther. Is there any way i can strengthen the stock servo arm, any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks

[Nitro T]

I raced my savage and had very good luck with it. Click here (http://sdr.vze.com/video.html) to see a couple videos of my truck. They are kind of boring because all I had to race was a couple T-Maxxes, and they kept breaking. If you notice, my truck was the only one that was able to clear the triples.
Incase you were wondering, the truck was the .21 version.

[MaxxGT23]

I have regular Bow Ties on my T-Maxx with the factroy rims that came with it. It works great for our track which is slick and a little rough. Would I ge more performance with 40 series rims and 40 series Bow Ties?

[Nitro T]

When I pick up a set of bowties for my new savage, I'm going to get the 40 series with 40 series dish wheels. On my old set, the side walls were really soft and would roll under. Stiffer foam would of taken care of that, but on the 40 series, the sidewalls are alot shorter so I hope that they are going to be stiffer.

[Boxxer]

well id have to disagree. my savvy with cf chassis, nova towers, supermaxx shocks, picco/werks P3 motor, HB pipe and 40 series ties and hd bones/cups could smoke most truggies since it practically is! :confused:

Nova towers shipped friday. Mugen big bore shocks install this weekend. Already run velocitys and bowties. Testing a few different pipes out. The HB is off for now. HD cups and bones onboard along with boca bearings. Though I did toast the ones on the CB. I guess I still gotta oil those. :o

And smoke most truggies.. Dunno.. in the hands of the right driver, the kyosho 7.5 truggy conversion is no joke. Doesnt mean my savage isnt up for the challenge though. :)

[savageP3]

ive raced doms and ive raced purebred buggies and i can beat both
and i think if neone want to seriously race id suggest getting the new vertigo setup once it comes out