FLM Bulkheads

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I have been admiring FLM bulkheads for quite some time now. Are they good bulkheads? Is there any other good bulkhead besides GPM and FLM? I an mainly looking for info on FLM bulkheads though, so if you have any info, let me know.
Thanks, FX
 
as far as specific info about the FLM ones, I have no first hand experience with them, but if they are anything like their other parts (my FLM EXT-LCG Chassis and Engine plate are sweet!!) they are bound to be winners...

Golden Horizons makes a very nice bulkhead(I like mine, and need a 2nd one to complete the set)...integy's are nice...several manufacturer's make them besides the 2 you mentioned...unless you are reffering to the "Hybrid" style bulks, which incorporate the diff housing into the bulkhead, similar to the Sav-X bulk/diff (although I don't think they have made the easy access version yet)

there is actually another company making the "hybrid" bulks like the FLM ones, but they are from Hong Kong(might even be the GPM ones)...the upside is you can get them in a variety of colors from overseas (FLM stuff is just clear ano)...the downside, is that everything takes roughly 1 month to ship to your door from H.K.
 
FLM has bulkhead and gearboxes combined to make "bulkless." They seem to be good and eventualy I will be getting there easy access version to test some time in the near future if all goes well🙂
 
SavageGoZoom said:
FLM has bulkhead and gearboxes combined to make "bulkless." They seem to be good and eventualy I will be getting there easy access version to test some time in the near future if all goes well🙂
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bulkless = hybrid, as mentioned above...hadn't heard whether they were easy-access or not...
 
I'd like to hear from somebody running these hybrids. They look like a brilliant design, and I would be interested in trying a set, but would like to hear some testimonials. I just want to hear how they hold up to hard bashing, how well they hold gear mesh, weight difference between these and the stock gearbox/bulk assembly they replace, stuff like that.
 
I've also been waiting for some reveiws, but I couldn't wait any longer so I got some, well one anyway, still waiting for the second one to arrive. I just gotta find the time and the bench space to fit em. While I'm at it I'm guna stick some Nova diff cups in just for good measure. My first impressions were WOW! It's a nice piece of machining, but the edges are a bit sharp. Then I suppose if they stopped to smooth the edges, then the price would go up. I deburred the edges using a small scraper made from a hack saw blade. It did take a while but IMO is well worth the effort. I'll try and keep you informed as the build takes shape (whenever I get to start it).
 
HopIt said:
I've also been waiting for some reveiws, but I couldn't wait any longer so I got some, well one anyway, still waiting for the second one to arrive. I just gotta find the time and the bench space to fit em. While I'm at it I'm guna stick some Nova diff cups in just for good measure. My first impressions were WOW! It's a nice piece of machining, but the edges are a bit sharp. Then I suppose if they stopped to smooth the edges, then the price would go up. I deburred the edges using a small scraper made from a hack saw blade. It did take a while but IMO is well worth the effort. I'll try and keep you informed as the build takes shape (whenever I get to start it).
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Sounds like a plan, thanks.
 
Well, well, well ... looks like the newb has to step up.

I have a pair of the FLM Hybrid bulkheads in my SAVAGE. I started my build with an XSS kit. When I took the HPI easy access bulkheads apart to get the diffs out, I discovered that one of the HPI alloy diff cups was cracked in 4 places - it cracked where the screws go down into the diff cup. The other diff cup (the one that wasn't cracked) fit kinda loosely in the FLM bulkhead. So, since I had to get 1 diff cup to replace the cracked one anyway, I decided to go ahead & replace both of them. My LHS had Golden Horizon cups hanging on the pegboard, so that's what I got. As I mentioned, I am a newb to the SAVAGE. I didn't know anything about GH's rep ... and still don't. Anyhow, the GH diff cups fit the FLM bulks nearly perfectly. No shims required in one. One shim required in the other. I used the HPI gears in the GH cups. They fit into the GH cup better than they fit into the HPI cups!

As far as assembling the FLM bulkheads & HPI lower plate/skid plate, that was no problem. I used the SAVAGE X shock towers. The screws were a bit short, so I picked up some longer hex screws from the LHS. For my build, I also used the FLM Extended Low Center of Gravity chassis. Everything fit together pretty well. I had to do some very light Dremel work on the FLM chassis in order to get the HPI lower plate/skid plate to fit perfectly. I replaced all of the hex screws included in the kits (FLM LCG kit & Bulkhead kits) with longer versions I picked up at my LHS. One last thing about the length of the screws - I have a feeling that the screws were all too short because they were intended to be used with HPI TVP's, not the thicker FLM TVP's. I do not think FLM is trying to take the cheap route out.

I have about 4 gallons on my SAVAGE so far - a few gallons with the NitroStar engine and almost 2 gallons on a STS D30M Rev 2. Everything is running perfectly.

If I build another SAVAGE, I will used the FLM "easy access" bulkheads if they are available. Otherwise, I'll use another pair of these Hybrids again.

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The front bulkhead required some mods in order to get the mid tank mod to work:

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Thanks for that, one question not related to the bulkheads.

I want to use the same braces you did here but I don't get how you used small screw. Aren't they too small for the holes on the skid plate. Pics of your skid plate would help I believe.
P1020640.jpg
 
Those pictures defiantly explain it, thanks for taking the pictures so quick.
 
Very clean very well put together. Like SJ said - You got my vote on this. I like the setup you have done.

Hop
 
I gota agree, it's totally sick ! But what's even better, is my second bulkhead arrived this morning, and now I've seen how they look I can't wait !
Good job CRUSADER !
 
Xjeepguy said:
I'd like to hear from somebody running these hybrids. They look like a brilliant design, and I would be interested in trying a set, but would like to hear some testimonials. I just want to hear how they hold up to hard bashing, how well they hold gear mesh, weight difference between these and the stock gearbox/bulk assembly they replace, stuff like that.
Click to expand...

Well I'm finally gettin round to startin work on my Savvy, it will be a while before it's complete, but I did have a weigh in the other night. The stuff I'm replacing is the Integy bulkheads and GPM diff case, which weighs 6oz. The FLM hybrid version weighs 6 1/8oz, so the truck will gain 1/4oz overall.
It's taken me a long time to get all the spares together, because the further you dig , the deeper it gets and the more skint you get:$broke: You know how it is ! I haven't touched the diffs for ages so I'm going to replace most of the parts.The pinions are worn pretty much to the end of their life, but the crown gears are like new, guess they are much harder ? It's a pitty Robinson Racing don't cater for the Savage, I asked them why not, and they said it's because their machines aren't big enough ! :dunno: So then I asked them why don't they get some more machines, because surely it would be worth their while ? They have not replied to that one ! Any how I have just received the last of the spares from Stormer Racing, so I can now get on when time permits. Please bear with me I'll try and keep you posted.
 
Here's an update on the FLM bulkheads. I've finished fitting the rear one, which went pretty smooth. I did have a problem trying to fit the Tsais shock towers to the bulkhead though. I had to shave off a fair bit of ally where the shock tower sits on the bulkhead sides. I couldn't get the screws in the holes so this was the only way out.
I've now started to weigh up the front, and I can already see a major problem. With the old gear box, which was GPM I think ?, the steering rack fowled on it. I got over that with a bit of filing, but now with the FLM bulkhead, it's got a huge piece in the way where a screw goes.These pics will help explain my concerns.
The area I'm pointing to with the screwdriver is the problem.
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With the two lined up you can see how much sticks out.
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The steering rack needs to be right where that screw is.

Has anyone had this problem before ? It could be to do with the TVPs I'm using ?
So the next question has to be, How do I fix it ????
 
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FLM needs to redesign these no doubt. Hope you figure something out hopit.
 
I found this while browsing the FLM site. THIS could be the answer :Xfingers: It looks like it has been designed around their bulkheads. It has much more of an offset than anything else I've seen, so should give enough clearance round that darn screw ! :Xfingers:
 
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I just read your PM HopIt. You need the FLM drag link to get things all together. I just happen to have a pic of said part. It is the aluminum part between the towers. The part number is "FLM4800".

Also - while you have your truck apart, you should replace the 4 plastic bushings that the steering towers pivot on with ball bearings ... unless you've already done that mod. If you haven't done it, HPI has a kit with the bearings in it. However, the bearings are a common size. I just took the plastic bushings to my LHS and asked them to match it with a bearing. It is a good mod.

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HopIt - in the pm you sent, you asked about the uprights that I used. I did use the HPI suspension upgrade kit ... well, most of the kit. I just de-anodized everything and then polished all the aluminum. I don't like purple. There is NO purple goofy-ness happenin' on my SAVAGE.

How do you name a truck "SAVAGE" and then color every piece of aluminum (and some plastic parts) on the thing purple? Huh? How does that happen? Can someone 'splain that to me?
 
CRUSADER said:
HopIt - in the pm you sent, you asked about the uprights that I used. I did use the HPI suspension upgrade kit ... well, most of the kit. I just de-anodized everything and then polished all the aluminum. I don't like purple. There is NO purple goofy-ness happenin' on my SAVAGE.

How do you name a truck "SAVAGE" and then color every piece of aluminum (and some plastic parts) on the thing purple? Huh? How does that happen? Can someone 'splain that to me?
Click to expand...

It must be a european thing
 
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