Basic Tuning Adjustments; Suspension Tuning; Springs; Ride Height Adjustment - Traxxas Revo 3.3 5309 Owner's Manual

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 42) 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 20% 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
34 • Revo 3.3
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 Long Travel
Dot Color Spring Rate Dot Color
Yellow 14.8 lb/in (2.6 N/mm)
White 16.6 lb/in (2.9 N/mm)
(Standard Front)
Orange 18.3 lb/in (3.2 N/mm)
Green 20.0 lb/in (3.5 N/mm)
(Standard Rear)
Gold 21.7 lb/in (3.8 N/mm)
Note: 90mm Travel springs are
Tan 23.4 lb/in (4.1 N/mm)
not recommended for use with
Black 25.1 lb/in (4.4 N/mm)
the Long Travel Rockers.

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.
Compression 2/3
Ride Height
Sag (Droop) 1/3
Axle Centerline at Max Compression
Axle Centerline at Ride Height
Axle Centerline at Max Sag
Spring Rate
Silver 28.0 lb/in (4.9 N/mm)
(Standard Front)
Pink 30.8 lb/in (5.4 N/mm)
Blue 33.7 lb/in (5.9 N/mm)
(Standard Rear)
Purple 36.5 lb/in (6.4 N/mm)