Tuning a Nitro engine on a Savage X/XL

HPI's How-to tune engine on the Savage X/XL correctly.
All credit to HPI Racing. Video pulled from dvd that was included.

[@StupidFastRC]

Best tutorial for Nitro tuning! Good work HPI!

[@brandenbreen2667]

One of the best tuning videos I’ve seen on KZbin

[@StupidFastRC]

I enjoyed your video. Great stuff! Thanks for posting.

[@LongRoofBruce]

brilliant! exactly what i needed being new to nitro

[@MINAJ24]

Thanks for great video, helps me every time. Just need to make the time to tune the thing now....

[@madearis735]

I dont own an hpi. But i learnt so much from this. Good tutorial

[@TekshaCM]

@themonti72 Of course you can. Most nitro engines need to be retuned every time out. This is only for minor adjustments to the high speed needle.

[@TestECull]

Not necessarily; mine generally don't need touched for months on end. It's usually when summer turns to winter and back again that I need to tweak the HSN a scoche.

[@Nathan_Amadorr]

nice!! made more sence then any other video!!

[@Sassonic]

Very helpful tuning video thx!

[@AnthonyGman]

14 years ago. Dam times flying

[@35057]

Awesome guide! Thank you much!

[@nadzaiqbal5147]

Fantastic step by step,

[@MartinGarcia-rg3ol]

I did exaclty tgis and its working better than ever.

[@moussaassiya9839]

yr

[@DanielGomez-jk6bv]

Exactly what I needed to tune my TMaxx.. I was even able to tune my yard weed-eater! Thank you

[@BigJay916]

Thanks for the advice

[@JtagSheep]

You can retune it whenever you need to :D . And as a rule of thumb i always tune my engines to full performance and then when it gets to the point the needle is the highest it can go before been lean i back it out 1/8th of a turn so that it is a little rich for good meassure. Rich wont hurt but lean will so 1/8th back from top is perfect for bashing and racing with mates.

[@viss3n]

i wanted a savage but i got a baja 5b 2.0!! i am verry pleased with it!!!:D

[@Guingia91]

@TekshaCM yes, you're right! but sometimes it's impossible not to use the "mid range needle"...

[@bigtimadams]

Great vid 5stars and what percent nitro where you using

[@TekshaCM]

@Guingia91 I dont know anyone who touches their mid-range needle. If you touch your mid range you pretty much have to retune. In short this video will work and will work on any engine because it teaches you the basics of tuning.

[@dcxSpartan117]

I've done all of this with inconsistent tunes that work one day and don't the next makes no sense, had proper break in and everything

[@P29mtl]

@TekshaCM Ok,I will do that... Thank you so much!! But do you think it could be something else also?

[@henriquemartins2776]

Vídeo muito Top! Só faltou uma legenda para os brasileiros!

[@tamayo16]

@ carlito977 well 1. It could be your low speed needle or your idle needle turn your idle COUNTER clockwise see if that helps if not put it back where u had it and then do the same for the low speed if it improves that would be it. If not vice versa

[@dirtbike4life1]

the base settings are just flush with the body around the screw .. hope that helps

[@buckeye82633]

Hey Daniel you need to adjust your low needle or your carborator is completely closed when brake is active hope this helps you

[@zack_anderson]

what are the factory settings on the carb (are they all just flush?) I just got a used one and it starts and runs idles for a few sec but dies when i give it a little gas

[@TestECull]

@Guingia91 The midrange needle is useless. That's why it isn't standard on all carbs these days.

[@Ishmum123456]

@TekshaCM Hi if I get a nitro bugy thats not hpi or traxxas and has a .16 nitro engine in it will it work with this guide? I know you have to break it in, so after break in, I just follow this guide and Im good to go? This easy?

[@themonti72]

@TekshaCM thanks....

[@JayGood73]

Good video, but I have a hard time seeing the difference in a small amount of smoke vs. a lot of smoke.

[@twinkystastegood]

@Atvman250cc i heard byrons 2nd gen is good for savages but thats what i heard im not sure

[@sk8tagpb]

@Npena100 any time its cold or hot the hotter out side the richer it should be the colder the leaner

[@chick99936]

hi i have a savage xl and i need to put in a new gearbox but i dont no how to take out the old one plz can you help is there anywhere i can get a proper diagram showing step by step how to take it out. ive looked on the website and i cant find any diagrams on how to take it out. i would like to do it myself as im new to the sport and would like to do things myself. and also i need to know how to put the brakes and spur gear on the gear box

[@mcjtadr]

Hi, will this tuning work on my Savage XL 5.9 ??? and what about the third needle you dont touch it ??

[@rigthguard420]

hey i just got one of the savage x 4.6 used and the neddle settings are mested up do u know the factorys settings

[@3LD3VIL]

@TekshaCM i get one used savage how i can know what savage i have like savage 25 or 4.6 thanks

[@TekshaCM]

4.6 is claimed to be a better motor than the 5.9 but it will fit. Choice is yours.

[@boif12]

hallo I have an savage 25 and have some motor problems when I pull the kontroller in full power in the first time it have problems wirh driving it is like you said in the film in 2.10 min. and I never get it in full power, and I have some problems with my akcelleration it cant stand in to weels when I take full power I want to get it so good that yours car is but I dont knew what I shud fiks.

[@NirvanaRox4Eva]

will any nitro car be ruined if it goes on sand? i mean all the dirt must get in some hard to reach places right?

[@XXXTITEXXX]

he says that u must always see some blue smoke at full throttle.In the video there is no blue smoke as the truck shifts into second gear.Is it better to say we must see some blue smoke at full throttle for the first 5-6 meters for example?

[@AdamDiddy]

It's a good idea.

[@TekshaCM]

If your engine is overheating you have it leaned out to much... leaning it out take fuel out of the mixture resulting in less oil to lube the engine. Try richening the engine up some and you should see you temps go down. If not it's possible you have an air leak.

[@TekshaCM]

After 2 tanks in you are most likely ready for a retune. Watch the video above. Do NOT touch the midrange needle. Get some RTV silicone and cover the midrange needle so it wont back out.

[@AthyMick]

hi, im having trouble keeping my engine running. when i start it, it will idle without a prob. very fast to accelerate and brilliant top speed. when i bring it back to me for fuel or anything it will cut out and its very hard to restart. plug and igniter are 100%. seems like it dries up on fuel or something. is it my tuning? i cant find base settings to retune. anybody know what needs adjusting? please help. i cant solve this one. thanks. oh and its a cold plug thats in it.

[@badboytommy187]

This coment for Warrange . I think your idle screw set little too low? You have to adjust a little bit higher . Then you adjust your high speed and low speed volve to tune the engine again . Well I hope it work ?

[@Npena100]

Every when should you tune your engine?

[@xZoMbIeSx27]

how big is the fuel tank and how long does it last

[@dbbiking5505]

Done this seem to work but car keeps cutting out like it’s to lean but I’m using different Controller and I had upped my rates to 150 so I think it was cutting out because when I gave it a little throttle I was actually getting to much to soon dose this sound about right??? Anyone

[@RIDICULOUSWHIPS]

@djk2582 45 mph + savage is sick, 1 2 buy but take it slow when tuning as all engines need to be taken care of corectly :D

[@P29mtl]

hi,just got a brand new savage xl 5.9. it worked fine for 2 tanks that i used to break in the engine,on the 3rd one,it starts but as soon as i give a little throttle,it just shuts off!! PLEASE HELP!!!

[@93DARIAN]

@SuperAiden101 it will do it even when its been running for ten mins

[@phsycosniper8]

try it with the car off, if it still jitters then remove the throttle servo from the car, then if it still does it after that then there is a possible chance you have stipped your servo gear or you servo is dying out

[@TheRcworld101]

can this procces work for the traxxas tmaxx 3.3

[@GameProW]

@1710hayden it handles 16%, 20% and 25%

[@tollakt]

hello when i start mine it gose full speed, no matter what i do stops it weather its the idle screw high speed screw or low speed screw it just dosent react.... what do i do plz help !!!!

[@BimmerFreakE39]

guys I got mine about 3 days ago the first day i broke it in then tuned it the second day my glow plug started not working well and now i fixed the glow plug a little bit but i messed up the needles as i was looking for the problem for the not starting.. today during the afternoon i started it but it kept on shutting off and when i removed the glow plug there was smoke coming out the little hole where the cylinder is any ideas help me please :/ !

[@crzygutrsnobrdr]

they y did u make the 5.9

[@themonti72]

i have a ? if someone has an answer....26 sportwerks motor, i got it under the impression it was broken in...it really wasent...i ran about 2 tanks through it before opening it up...never tuning it...i just recentley found out that it was never tuned..can i tune it now? after running it for so long being rich?

[@croslowj]

I am not new to nitro. I have many nitro powered cars but I can not figure out why my engine has tuning issues. it is 1 week old. out of the box tuning was stock. during break-in it kept shutting off because it was lean. low speed is cranked out to keep it running and I have air in lines when it is running. replaced fuel lines and tank. still does it. what else is there to check. I can't tune it properly at all.... it is a 4.6 in a hpi trophy.

[@meganfitzgerald651]

Out of the box it's shutting off most likely due to extremely rich carb setting for break in, I highly doubt it came so lean that it won't run, make sure needles are at base settings and break in your model and then start tuning after break in is complete, trust me you want to break it in properly or you'll hate yourself later because improper break in will cause engine to run erratically and won't ever run like it should, hope this helps

[@TestECull]

@Guingia91 If you have to touch the MSN your HSN and/or LSN are out of whack. It is best to leave it the fuck alone. This guide is good for any nitro RC car/truck.

[@93DARIAN]

about what temp should my hpi 21 run at

[@ltygol3221]

I hear this car shifting how do u shift ?

[@522viper]

I wish everyone in this hobby would watch this video before they bash the nitro engine.

[@RIDICULOUSWHIPS]

dude what are the base setting bcoz mine is so fucked with different tunes, mine doesn't even wheelie like that, it just accelerates so slow... i seriously need help its annoying :(

[@93DARIAN]

i have another problem my hpi 21 will idal all day long but if it idals longer that 5 mins and i hit the gas it dies y

[@TestECull]

@TekshaCM Incorrect. I leave mine alone for months at a time and they run fine. You only need to constantly tinker with them if you chase perfection, and you're an idiot if you try to chase perfection when you're not racing pro level or higher.

[@CrzayMazy]

That's another story :P

[@P29mtl]

Lol!! Ok cool.Yea,I'm a beginner... Much appreciated!! Thanks agai

[@javiertorres-su8eh]

I have a savage 4.6 big block. The problem i'm having, I get it started and it's running nicely but when i take the glow plug off it shuts off. Why does this happen? plz help much appreciated

[@meganfitzgerald651]

Means the glow plug is bad...6 years later lol hope this helps

[@alfredrobertlaidlaw9587]

hi I have a savage x 3.5 but it wont do wheelies what should I do. i have a gear ratio of 47/17 pleas I need your advice

[@Exquisitism]

Break it in, it's not going to have massive power out of the box.

[@bossjoe3]

Where do you find the base setting from

[@dailyriddenhorses7665]

The manual

[@rcqwerty695]

hi could someone help me out with my savage. the throttle servo jitters when i give it full throttle and the engine jitters swell. plz reply. thanks!

[@meganfitzgerald651]

6 years later lol means your servo is bad

[@cesar11duran]

What's the top speed?

[@sixOHHfour]

every time i touch the low speed needle the engine just dies! cant move it anywhere off of factory settings

[@liupuss]

the XL is different, please up the XL video, maybe in Italian

[@polokidd562]

Mine when it goes into 2nd gear it shuts off

[@TekshaCM]

Savage forums are good places to start. hpisavageforum that is where i reside great people and info.

[@dotbadburn]

get 20% or 25% but we usually use 20% for savage and buy blue thunder nitro fuel

[@Markkrochuk1979]

go electric, nitros are a maintenance nightmare, and by the time you finally get it running/tuned properly before each run your ready to go home.

[@TheJjoosshhyy1000]

Does this work on any car

[@InTheZone85]

Any nitro, yes

[@12oscar12]

Crap I should have watched this video first before I used it... My motor got stuck and now it won't spin to start.. What can I do to fix it

[@092601abc]

when i brake with mine it shuts down... but it isnt fully tuned cuz its raining outside -_-

[@sschriver110]

its such a pain to adjust the damnn things all the time like when the weather changes thats why i gave up on those such a pain knw i got into classic cars sooo much better then those more fun to drive and more power specially my 70 monte carlo

[@jacksonscooterguy]

If my car revs really high the stalls when I start it what's wrong

[@kutayarcan911]

Connor Burrets I think your High Speed Needle is too lean and your idle needle needs some tuning

[@raymondstgermain4417]

U are running to rich back it out 1/2 turn

[@InTheZone85]

@@raymondstgermain4417it's lean, not rich. Backing out richens btw

[@TekshaCM]

This is HPI's video I take no credit in it. Only credit I'll take is ripping it. I use 20%

[@xZoMbIeSx27]

why cant i get my car to wheely

[@brianlahoud]

My savage xl goes like 60 I raced a buggy and crushed it to bits

[@Twinturbospool]

You must wear latex gloves when tuning your Savage ;-p

[@thiemo112]

i use merlin its powerfuel and 25% nitro

[@TekshaCM]

I bash with those on! who doesnt?!

[@mimmydavid8338]

CEN NITRO

[@ashleysmith1022]

Clockwise or anti-clockwise? Sorry new to nitro cars. I have a HPI Racing Firestorm.

[@BASSstarlet]

Your question dosn't make sense.

[@bertkooijmans4769]

Clokcwise is turing it like a clock turns normally Counterclockwise is the opposite:p

[@CrzayMazy]

I hope your joking cause I've never seen anyone using latex gloves, that's just something from the savety manual, just as HPI also wants you to wear plastic glasses in case nitro comes out of the top of the engine and makes you blind...

[@pugs2300]

@1521joe

[@bill_nye_the_russianspy_9642]

Who's here in 2022?

[@TekshaCM]

Prob not many. Concept of video hasn’t changed much.

[@adb140275]

its worn out youll need a new engine soon

[@Cooldibs]

Why the hell is he whearing gloves

[@crzygutrsnobrdr]

get trinity monster horsepower 20%

[@Guingia91]

@TestECull ??? I don't understand what you said... if you use a simple english, I'll answer to you (i don't speak english good) don't be rude please