Savage XL aftermarket parts from rc4me.US any good ?

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Atarioldskool

Active Member
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122
Location
Leicester UK
Hi all
Thought I’d nailed it and getting all my parts from one place, but I have just had an email from rc4me.US saying non of there parts are branded HPI so I could say they are aftermarket alternatives.
So now I’m a bit stuck as to what to do.
Things like screws, washers, flange shafts I’m not worried about but it is things like bevel gear differential set (cogs), 29T/9T differential bevel gear cogs is what I am worried about.

They come from China, would these be any good or would you all agree that I should stick to genuine orginal HPI parts for cogs, bearings etc??
See the links of the items I was about to place an order for.
I know rc4me.us are in this group and I appreciate there transparency but for me I need to know if these aftermarket Chinese stuff is any good ?

https://rc4me.us/product/hpig89016/

These are the inside gubbings
https://rc4me.us/product/hpi86032a/
https://rc4me.us/product/hpi86032b/

Said if I want hard steel bevels then I need this
https://rc4me.us/product/hpisav8010/

I also require this
https://rc4me.us/product/hpi102692b/
 
Well just FYI, the original Savage and all the current ones are all made in china so buying parts made there should present no problem.......

Just because a company is based in the USA doesn't mean it is actually built here, just look at Traxxas , everything they have is made in the far east along with most other importers of R/C stuff.....
 
Ive bought some 9t pinion gears direct from China,
The fit and look as good as original parts,
Most of the stuff like bearings are China made parts on these trucks,
If you get the complete diffs the only separate parts needed are the 9t pinions,
 
I buy tires from China all day long. I use them as break in tires. Instead of wearing out a set of Impacts or Blockade's I just use the cheap tires...as they work well for it. Some of them will hold up too. Kind of surprising.
 
Hi guys,

Thanks for clarifying - I got to say I have nothing against products coming from China.
I was just unsure if the parts from China would be any good compared to say a well known branded name (hpi)

The difference between manufacturing in China compared to UK, USA or EU is the QC and legislation.
would find that the Quality control and material used in manufacturing in UK , USA or the EU is a lot more stringent compared to China.

1 last question, what is the difference between “bulletproof” pinion and hardened steel pinion ?

I know the term “bulletproof” is a marketing speech, but any ideas what the pinion is made of ?
Is it also hardened steel ? Or something else ?

Thanks
 
They are all hardened to some degree or another, the difference is in how they are made, Sintered are basically powdered metal pressed into shape using high pressure, Machined are just that machined from a blank of steel then hardened, you have to understand that BP gears come in both styles sintered and machined, both can and will break under extreme stresses.... I am using the 43/13 sintered gears in my diffs and have experienced zero failures as yet in 4 years of running the rig..... some like to spend money just to spend I am not like that I use what I have and usually make things work just fine for me and my needs.....

I find the term "bulletproof" kinda funny and misleading as to strength and durability
 
So far, I have bought the steering cams/steering link, the super 5SC transmission and diff gaskets from them. Other than some conversion issues with the input shaft on the transmission, it's been holding up very well so far. I've had it apart a few times after running it and there is no wear on any of the gears. Fitment was spot on. The input shaft is different than the flux-hp though. I was able to take the one out of my transmission and swap it without issue. The gear ratio is a hair bit higher than stock as well.

Another thing I noticed is that the case halves were held together with smaller screws than what HPI uses. After putting 750k oil in the center diff, it's been great for me.

I haven't broken a ring/pinion since I installed the transmission, so I haven't had a need to try their ring/pinion gears yet.
 
Thank you guys

The problem I am going to find is what is sintered or machine hardened as some parts I have found wether from rc4me.US or else where - there is no mention of sintered or machine , just hard steel ?
 
Thank you guys for your help on this.

I have placed my order with them.
Some parts are a couple of pounds more in price but its just easier to buy everything from one place.
 
Whenever a compnay in the west allocates it's manufacturing works or parts thereof to China, one constant phenomenon takes place: the Chinese simply manufacture double or triple the number required of them and flood the market with the surplus items for half the price.
 
Ive order their diff assembly, steering servo, shock assembly, pinion gears and all seem to be pretty close to HPI quality.

The diff does require alot of shimming though and the screws stripped easily during disassembly ... ended having to drill them out.
 
I'd even be willing to bet that the factory making these "off brand" parts is the same factory that makes them for HPI - lots of companies just slap their logo on a generic part and then increase the price
 
I have bought their ring and opinions gears a while back, really can't say anything about durability as haven't had a chance to run it. In my rebuild thread I have some pic of rc4me gears next to stock x4.6 gears. (Post #7) https://www.hpisavageforum.com/threads/I'm-getting-the-itch.18879/#post-211008
 

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