Basic Tuning Adjustments; Suspension Tuning - Traxxas Revo 3.3 5309 Owner's Manual

32 • Revo 3.3

BASIC TUNING ADjUSTMENTS

This tuning and setup guide is separated into two sections- Basic
and Advanced. Revo 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, two-speed shift point, slipper clutch, and brake are also
covered. In most cases, the basic information is all that is needed to
tune Revo to perform well on a variety of surfaces.
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 40) covers topics such as optional suspension
rockers, roll center adjustment, caster adjustment, bump steer tuning,
differential setup, and fine tuning the two-speed gear ratios. 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. Also
included are instructions for using the Long-Travel rockers and springs
supplied with Revo. The long travel rockers allow extreme suspension
travel for rock crawling and rough, large-scale terrain. The long travel
rockers allow the suspension to operate at its extreme mechanical
limits and is recommended for advanced users.

SUSPENSION TUNING

Springs
The front and rear springs on Revo 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. Firmer springs (supplied) must be used when the
Long Travel rocker arms are installed.
Use a stiffer spring to reduce sag, reduce body lean, control brake
dive, and provide a firmer, more responsive overall feel. If 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 length or
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.
Optional springs available from Traxxas are listed below. Refer to your
parts list for a complete part number listing. Higher rate springs are
stiffer. Springs can be identified by dots of color on one end.
90mm Travel 120mm Travel
Dot Color Spring Rate
14.8 lb/in (2.6 N/mm)
Yellow
16.6 lb/in (2.9 N/mm)
White
Orange 18.3 lb/in (3.2 N/mm)
(Standard Front)
20.0 lb/in (3.5 N/mm)
Green
(Standard Rear)
Gold 21.7 lb/in (3.8 N/mm)
Note: 90mm Travel springs are
23.4 lb/in (4.1 N/mm)
Tan not recommended for use with
25.1 lb/in (4.4 N/mm) the Long Travel Rockers.
Black
Ride Height Adjustment
The rocker arm suspension uses push rods on each suspension arm.
Changing the length and/or 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 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.
The ride height of the model can be changed by mounting the push rod
in a different hole in the lower suspension arm. From the factory, the
Compression 2/3
Ride Height
Sag (Droop) 1/3
Axle Centerline at Max Compression
Axle Centerline at Ride Height
Axle Centerline at Max Sag
Dot Color Spring Rate
28.0 lb/in (4.9 N/mm)
Silver
(Standard Front)
Pink 30.8 lb/in (5.4 N/mm)
33.7 lb/in (5.9 N/mm)
Blue
(Standard Rear)
36.5 lb/in (6.4 N/mm)
Purple