Savage Brushless Conversion Dilemma
 

Alright I think I have made the decision to convert my Savage X to brushless because I have nothing to do after school right now, I need a project. my birthday is next month so I will most likely get some money toward the conversion, but I just can't figure out how I want to do it. I have been looking at the HPI Conversion kit which is going to set me back about $180 just for the kit :whip: and I am also going to have to buy a transmission because I sold mine a while back when I was thinking of a direct drive outrunner setup. The only other thing that sucks about the HPI kit is that I am going to have to modify the motor mount to fit my CC Neu which I don't want to do, but I could do if I had to. My other option is the Kershaw Direct Drive kit. Its $100 and I won't have to buy a tranny or grind a motor mount, but I am going to have to find some way to mount my batteries. Another option, probably the most complicated, would be a CD setup. I just don't know which diff to buy that is not gonna cost me that much sense my budget is tight. The last option would be a direct drive setup with a 50-65 400kv outrunner on 5-6s lipo. I like this setup because it would be simple to build and keep me in my price range. What do you guy think I should do? Any input would help I am terrible at making decisions :lol: and I am 14 so money is tight.

There is also the Forward Tranny TVPs from FLM, bit pricey at 185. But no need to customize anything.

I'd skip the HPI kit, rather go with the Flux TVPs from TCS as you can get them really cheap if you want standard length. And RC-MONSTER sells them.

Also you can get a drilled out HPI clamp from GCM racing.

Trannys are pretty cheap on eBay. Just get the HD 18-23 drive gear (http://www.tcscrawlers.com/HPI-HD-DR...4-p-17468.html) for it.

Do some searching here there were a couple of outrunner conversions do with Savages that were posted.

Only issue with the outrunner direct to diff is that you need to buy a quality motor, and you are kinda stuck with the voltage and tire diameter you initially set the truck up for.

I would go the flux tvp route, get the enlarged clamps from gcm for your motor, and run a flux tranny. The hard parts (clamps, flux tvps, flux motor plate, tranny, battery boxes) should be available for around 150 or less.

http://www.tcscrawlers.com/Introduct...k-p-17756.html ($20)
http://www.tcscrawlers.com/HPI-HD-DR...4-p-17468.html ($11)
http://cgi.ebay.com/HPI-Savage-FLUX-...item5ade9efc73 (~$20)
http://www.tcscrawlers.com/HPI-Batte...8-p-17449.html ($15)
http://www.tcscrawlers.com/HPI-Motor...6-p-17446.html ($11)
http://www.tcscrawlers.com/HPI-Motor...7-p-17448.html ($12)
http://www.tcscrawlers.com/HPI-Batte...9-p-17623.html ($6 for the battery box mounts and the ESC mount).
http://cgi.ebay.com/HPI-Savage-FLUX-...shop/desertboy ($54 for the GCM modified clamp)

Think thats everything.... about 149. I don't think Mike sells any of these parts otherwise I'd reference his links.

Definetly recommend the bulletproof ring gear and pinion for both diffs. You can just swap out the Savage X ring/pinion; http://www.tcscrawlers.com/HPI-Racin...2-p-17874.html ($25 x2). But under 4S you might be able to get away with the standard Savage X, if properly shimmed, for awhile at very least.

You could go with http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...odID=HPI102534. Horizon has it for 179. But you would still need a Savage single speed tranny it seems. Also the "composite" bulks aren't really necessary, better to get the bulletproof diffs which I can't tell if the kit has.

For a real "bulletproof" diff setup, the bulletproof diffs and either GH bulks or FLM bulks. The plastic cases flex too much, and I really do not see the point upgrading to the bulletproof diffs if you do not go with aluminum bulks.

Well he said he had limited budget. The bulks are an added expense. Under 4-6S power on my 17 lbs Savage Flux conversion I haven't had issues yet. Depends on your usage patterns too I suppose. ;)

I think i just going to go with the flux setup. I'm just going to get all the stuff thzero said above other than the bulletproof diffs because I am only going to be running 4s. I am going to start ordering the parts asap and get this project going. Here is a list of everything I am going to probably get:

GCM Motor Mount

TCS Flux Chassis or TSC Flux XL Chassis

Flux Battery Boxes

HD Drive Gear

Flux Tranny

Motor Plate

Motor Brace

Battery Box Mounts

I don't feel like totaling it up because I am too lazy :lol:

Hope I didn't miss anything. :) At least nothing important!

Nice things to add or change as you go along are...

a) the bulletproof diffs when your diffs blow up.
b) 4 Flux shocks instead of the 8 savage shocks. just less maintenance and they work as well or better.
c) al. bulks as linc suggested.
d) either Flux or XL axles and dogbones. XL extends the width of the truck about an inch over the Savage X/Flux trucks.
e) the adjustable upper suspension links from the XSS and XL.
f) integy (because no one else makes them) rear hub carriers which removes the slop out of the rear end

Sure others can come up with more!

oh, of course 2.4ghz running gear!

I would not worry about getting these, the non adjustable ones are stronger. I never had luck with mine anyway, or maybe its just me?

I already have the adjustable ones because I have a X SS.

The rear hub carriers are a good purchase, plus you end up with the stock rear knuckles and hubs as spares if you break the fronts, same with the rear toelinks, good spares.

Shims your diffs up snug, they should last. I like the X SS as it comes with the alloy cups. I had alot of issues with the plastic cups, not as many probs with the ring and pinions.

That being said my 5t savvy has GH bulks and bulletproof gears. I hate pulling savvy diffs apart. A real chore.

I was looking at the rear hub carriers when the truck was still nitro because I could never get the rear end adjusted right, but I never bought them because I only drove the truck a few times. It would be nice to have extra parts. I might have to get some when I sell some stuff or find some cash.

Where can I get the shims for my diffs?

Thanks!

Just got a flux tranny for $36.00 plus shipping! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...torefresh=true

Can I use this motor mount? I could save like 15 buck if I could use it, plus it doubles as a heatsink.

Not sure it'll fit. At very least you may need to redrill holes in the motor plate.

Hmm alright I am going to keep looking.

I ordered some stuff form TCS the other day. I ordered some of their Flux TVP's, motor braces, and battery boxes and it all showed up yesterday. I still need the mounts for the battery boxes, a sheet of carbon fiber to make a motor plate and servo plate out of, spur and slipper assembly, and a motor mount which I might make. Here is a picture of it all cleaned up and in one piece:
http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...3/IMG_3184.jpg