236LikesSAVAGE - SS, .25, .21 Official Thread!
05-12-2025 | 07:17 AM
The only modifications I did with mine was adding bevel gears to the front and rear diff, installing lowering chassis plates, and a little dremel work to the inside of the engine. I won the point series race that summer. I ran an old Ford pickup body.
05-12-2025 | 08:55 AM
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Tech Elite
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,205
From: Wales, UK
'Fangs' for the memories....🤭
I embarrassed many a Picco with my ported NS 25 engine.
It was brilliant. Ran about 15 gallons through it before finally getting the STS D30M.
Adding the extra pair of spider gears was essential. I really don't get why they only put 2 in there. 🤔
Bizarre.
05-12-2025 | 03:03 PM
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From: NC
Honestly - I sense a Savage revival.
It's such a good rig.
Don't get me wrong - on paper, the Savage doesn't work. But somehow, it winds up greater than the sum of its parts. I never parted with mine over 21 years, despite numerous offers.
People like vintage racing these days. Perhaps vintage MT will become a thing? 🤔
As you can see in the video, my rig just tucks in, turns, no understeer - rear follows the front and is good for 47mph down the straight - if space permits. Plus - it's big and boingy over the rough stuff. Not only that - 0-40mph is insanely rapid for a truck of this size.
It's such a good rig.
Don't get me wrong - on paper, the Savage doesn't work. But somehow, it winds up greater than the sum of its parts. I never parted with mine over 21 years, despite numerous offers.
People like vintage racing these days. Perhaps vintage MT will become a thing? 🤔
As you can see in the video, my rig just tucks in, turns, no understeer - rear follows the front and is good for 47mph down the straight - if space permits. Plus - it's big and boingy over the rough stuff. Not only that - 0-40mph is insanely rapid for a truck of this size.
Edit: Agree about the diffs. Don't know why they only put 2 in. The others were provided in a seperate bag with the RTR. One of the first upgrades I did was adding those gears in. Cornering improved greatly. The second upgrade was a servo saver. My servo stripped on the 2nd or 3rd run. HPI replaced it for free, no questions asked.
06-17-2025 | 01:20 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Wales, UK
So after 21 years of flawless service, the HiTec 5495 steering servo has been swapped for a AGF 81BHMW.
The 5945 is now on throttle duty and the trusty 645 is retired.
Bizarrely, I needed to reverse the servo for the AGF. Odd.
12-31-2025 | 12:31 PM
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Tech Elite
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From: Wales, UK
01-03-2026 | 12:14 AM
Thread Starter
Tech Elite
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,205
From: Wales, UK
01-03-2026 | 06:51 AM
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01-03-2026 | 09:26 AM
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01-04-2026 | 12:09 PM
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I know. TBH that really helped me make the decision. If I get back into nitro trucks I want a new start.
01-13-2026 | 01:25 PM
I received my Savage XL SBK last Wednesday. It took me 8 hours to build and now I'm currently breaking in the engine which is only the Nitro Star F3.5. I couldn't find any other pull start engines in stock. HPI site says the 5.9 is discontinued.
01-13-2026 | 10:50 PM
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From: Wales, UK