HPI Savage X 4.6 Review

 One of the most well known things about HPI is their "Savage" line up of vehicles. The savage has been around for many years, and has always been considered one of the toughest trucks on the block. With the Savage 21 RTR, Savage SS, Savage 25 RTR, Savage 25 SS, Savage X RTR, and Savage X SS, HPI has just recently released another Savage, the Savage X 4.6 RTR. The X 4.6 has all the same great qualites of the new Savage X RTR, but with even more. A much more powerful F4.6 .28 engine produced by HPI powers the rig, and to slow the big truck down, HPI added their dual red fibre brake system. Not only a much needed upgrade, but looks great too. This, and several other things were added to make the Savage even tougher than the rest.

 After christmas time, I decided that since my truggy was "Out Of Order" from bashing it too hard, I should invest in something that I could smash around and still be able to race my other vehicle if I broke something on this. So after a very short amount of surfing the net looking for the best vehicle to get, I decided on the Savage X 4.6 RTR. Being a Savage fan ever since I used to own a Savage 25, I knew in my heart that it was what I really wanted. Two days later, my brand New Red Savage X arrived at my Local Hobby Shop. Reaching a total of under 500 dollars ($478.87) I was pleased. I took the truck home, and got it ready for break in.

 Break In: One of the very first things that I noticed when I tried to start my Savage was just how well the engine was built. The pinch when the piston reached TDC (Top Dead Center), was so tight that it was restricting the truck to make a complete rotation at times.  One of the first things that I did was break out my heat sheild, availiable at most hardware stores. I sat this about 4 feet from my Savage, and let it warm the area in my garage for about 15 minutes. Here are some of the things I used for Break In:

• Duratrax Flashpoint Temperature Guage
• Duratrax Rechargeable Glow - Ignitor
• 4 Way Wrench - Used for glow plug replacement (If needed)
• 30% Sidewinder Race Blend Fuel
• Duratrax LR3 Hot Glow Plug - Spares
• Pepsi - Refreshment Purposes!

 After my engine had gained about 20F of internal temperature, I put my fully charged glo - ignitor on the plug, plugged my freshly charged battery into the roto-start system, primed the engine, and hoped for the best. The first two pushes of the button, the truck almost started. On the third, it fired up, and ran great. Through the first two tanks, I let the truck idle on my break in bucket, giving it small amounts of throttle every now and then to clear out any excess build up in the engine. Using your temperature gauge, monitor your engines temperatures consistantly. You should be wanting anywhere from 190F - 220F. You should be running at almost operational temperatures, if you don't it could hurt your engine. If you engine just wont get up to temperature, try these things.

1. Putting the Body on
2. Covering the hole in the top of the body.
3. Wrapping the engine head in a rag/foil.

If none of those things work, it is most likely too cold. Although you may not want to, put your savage away, and wait for a warmer day. If you are getting great temps and everything is going fine (as it normally does), congragulations. Idle your truck on a stand (anything works that keeps the wheels in mid air), for two tanks, then, do small figure eights and boxes on a flat surface for another two tanks. After those, lean the High End Needle out 1/8th a turn to 1/4th a turn, and the Low End Needle about 1/8th of a turn (Leaning means turning the screw clockwise). Now, do another two tanks at these settings. After those tanks, your engine is completely broken - in and it is ready to be tuned for performance.

 General Overview: The Savage X 4.6 is my favorite vehicle I own out of them all. It is big, extremely fast, and tough. The truck climbs over most terrain easily, and with a pair of offset wheels it handles awesome too. One of the trucks exceptional features is its great jumping capabilites. You can definitely launch the truck into the air, and count on that when it comes back down it will be in one piece. The trucks two speed transmission is great, and really allows the F4.6 Big Block to open up. With a top speed of about 45+ MPH stock, the savage is by no means slow. Although, it is obvious that the engine still has more to give. At the end of second gear, you can tell just by listening to the engines whine that it is not at its peak RPM. HPI now offers a 3 speed transmission with a overgeared 3rd gear which should match the F4.6's power beautifully.

What HPI Says about the Savage X 4.6

The RTR Savage X 4.6 is our fastest and strongest ready-to-run Savage... EVER! That's right, we've raised the bar by adding a massive F4.6 engine and beefed up the chassis and drivetrain to handle the power. The result is a truck that has enough Big Block power to do wheelies on command with a scorching top speed of more than 45 MPH. A huge list of performance and durability upgrades come standard in the RTR Savage X 4.6, so you know that you've got a truck that can handle extreme off-road driving.

Pictures of my Savage X 4.6:

 I personally believe the savage is a big beautiful machine, and that HPI did a great job with the overall look of the truck.

Product Specifications:

Vehicle-

• Length:          21"   (533mm)
• Width:           16.8" (427mm)
• Height:          10"   (254mm)
• Wheelbase:       13.25" (336mm) wheels on-center front-to-rear
• Suspension Travel: 6"  (152mm)
• Tires- Front and Rear: 6.25" x 3.25" (16 x 8.2mm)

Body- 

• Length:  18"     (457mm)
• Width:    7"     (178mm) at rear wheels, widest point
• 6-1/4" (158mm) behind from wheels, thinnest point
• Height:   5"     (127mm)

 HPI has in my opinion perfected the thought of a undestructable basher. The Savage is fast, REALLY tough, looks great, handles good (for a Monster Truck), and can provide the power when it really matters. If you crave something that is all of the above, what are you waiting for? Order your Savage X 4.6 today!

HPI's Website: http://www.hpiracing.com/