Q: Aluminum or Plastic

[yakuza]

Hello every1,

I have a question, and I'm looking for answers from your own experiences...
Should I upgrade my arms, towers, etc. to aluminum instead of the stock plastic parts? Pros and cons...
The plastic parts, although not as hard, are lighter, and are not as rigid, thus provide a little bit of flexibility on impact, as well as absorbing some of the massive vibrations from the engine (nitro)... in addition to the price...
Aluminum parts.. pretty much unbreakable compared to the plastic parts, and don't ware off that easily... wise investment.. but I am concerned about the added rigidity due to vibrations, and impact of this rigidity on non-metalic parts.. in addition to weight, which is exponential on this scale and every gram counts...

Appreciate all your feedback... thx.

 

[AllanQ]

Welcome to the forum!!!

stay with plastic on those parts you listed.

Aluminum, is heavier and prettier, but also more expensive to replace when they bend, and they will bend depending on how hard you drive a savy.

Aluminum upgrades are good for the diffs (if you don't already have them), and IMO the bulkheads since the bearing runners will not wear out.

If you do go with aluminum, make sure you threadlock every screw going into the aluminum pieces. Good luck and happy bashing

 

[ryugaiden05]

If you want to go aluminum, do not do everything in aluminum. It is a good idea to keep some plastic on the truck in my opinion. That way you can lessen the risk of breaking multiple parts with everything being aluminum. Also you would be adding a lot of weight to the truck as well.

 

[Bankrupter]

stay away from alloy arms. As allan said they add weight and bend. if they don't bend fast enough they rip up bulk heads. I will fix a 2 buck arm over a 20 buck bulk any day. not to mention the arm is a 5 min job the bulk if done right will take over a hour with reshiming the diff... HPI plastic arms will take over 20 feet of air if driven right. no need for any others.

 

[frddyj]

watch what the alloy did to brazil's truck in these short vids https://www.hpisavageforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8293

 

[Shaun]

i would have to agree, stay away from the alum arms and stuff if you want a darn near indestructable a-arm go with the rpm a-arms there light and bullet proof and have a guarantee on them as well.. i found with the alum even if they don't snap they bend and get all scratched up and end up looking awful plus thats extra weight u don't really need!!!

 

[Fx]

Aluminum
Pros
-Looks nice in moderation
-Aluminum bulkheads make your diffs nearly indestructible

Cons
-Heavy
-It doesn't flex it will just permanently bend or snap
-Pricey


Plastic
Pros
-Cheap to replace
-Light
-Arms will flex and have some "give" to them

Cons
-Easier to strip the threads on plastic housings


Some things like aluminum diffs are a must but but for the most part the rest is just for show. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Those are all the pros and cons I can think of at the moment, let me know if I forgot any.