Basic Tuning Adjustments - Traxxas 86086-4 Owner's Manual

BASIC TUNING ADJUSTMENTS

This tuning and setup guide is separated into two sections- Basic and
Advanced. E-Revo VXL Brushless does not require any specialized
knowledge or understanding of its unique suspension and drive train
to perform typical, everyday setup and track tuning adjustments.
Adjustment procedures for alignment, spring rate, damping, steering,
and ride height are covered in the basic tuning section. Adjustments
for the gear ratio are also covered. In most cases, the basic information
is all that is needed to tune E-Revo to perform well on a variety of
surfaces.
E-Revo was engineered to provide sophisticated additional tuning
options well beyond the basics that allow expert users to extract the
maximum performance from the truck. The advanced tuning section
(beginning on page 30) covers topics such as roll center adjustment,
caster adjustment, bump steer tuning, and differential setup. Make
sure you fully understand the basic adjustments before experimenting
with the advanced adjustments. Improper combinations of
adjustments can adversely affect the performance of the truck,
resulting in poor handling. If you don't know why you are changing
an adjustment, then you should leave it at its factory setting.
SUSPENSION TUNING
Springs
The front and rear springs on the E-Revo VXL Brushless have different
spring rates. The rear springs are about 10% stiffer than the front
springs. The spring's pre-load tension can be adjusted by turning
the spring pre-load adjuster. Adjusting the pre-load changes the
suspension sag. Suspension sag basically defines how much the
suspension compresses when the truck is at rest. Adjust the pre-
load so that the suspension compresses about one third of its full
suspension travel (see illustration). If suspension sag is severe and
requires a large increase of the spring pre-load to compensate, then a
firmer spring should be used.
Use a stiffer spring to
reduce sag, reduce body
lean, control brake dive,
and provide a firmer,
more responsive overall
feel. If E-Revo is lightened
significantly for racing
applications, softer
springs will be necessary
to allow the suspension
to sag properly. Heavier
configurations will
require stiffer springs.
Ride height is adjusted by
changing the position of the pushrods in the lower suspension arms.
See the next section for ride height adjustments. The suspension sag
and spring pre-load should be readjusted anytime the springs are
removed and/or replaced.
90mm Travel
Optional springs available from
Dot Color
Traxxas are listed here. Refer to
Yellow
your parts list for a complete
White
part number listing. Higher rate
Orange
springs are stiffer. Springs can
Green
be identified by dots of color on Gold
(Standard front)
one end.
Tan
(Standard rear)
Black
Ride Height Adjustment
The rocker arm suspension uses push rods on each suspension arm.
Changing the position of the push rod adjusts the ride height without
affecting or compromising other suspension parameters. For example,
you can raise and lower the ride height without changing up/down
travel distribution, changing springs, or affecting your progressive
rate. This feature is unique to E-Revo and is extremely beneficial in a
racing environment where you can achieve a low center of gravity (by
lowering the ride height) without losing any suspension capability.
Increasing the ride height will increase ground clearance for rough
terrain.
Spring Rate
14.8 lb/in (2.6 N/mm)
16.6 lb/in (2.9 N/mm)
18.3 lb/in (3.2 N/mm)
20.0 lb/in (3.5 N/mm)
21.7 lb/in (3.8 N/mm)
23.4 lb/in (4.1 N/mm)
25.1 lb/in (4.4 N/mm)
E-REVO VXL BRUSHLESS • 23