How to Take Your E-Revo to the Next Level
Traxxas 8712 Tool Kit
You can use the tool kit that comes with the E-Revo to install all the parts in this article, but upgrading your tools can be just as important as your vehicle modifications. The Traxxas 8712 tool kit includes premium hex bits and nut drivers to perform upgrades or maintenance on your Traxxas model. The kit also includes an overmolded grip and convenient embroidered storage case.
Phase 1: Suspension and Steering
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The E-Revo rolls out fully-equipped with Heavy Duty suspension arms, 17 mm splined aluminum hubs, and aluminum-body GTR shocks as standard equipment. We’re making color-swaps for these components, but if you want to take the E-Revo’s shocks to the next level, you can get the GTRs with hard-anodized bodies and PTFE-coated bores. They’ll cost you an extra $15 over color-anodized shocks, but if you’re looking for the ultimate in competition-grade performance, they’re it. TUBES links replace the stock steel pushrods and toe links to reduce weight and add more anodized color to the truck. While we had the suspension apart, we also traded the plated steel pivot balls and rocker posts for 7075 aluminum, PTFE-coated versions. Their low-friction coating makes sure the suspension action is as responsive as possible, and the aluminum parts trim just under two ounces from the truck compared to steel.
The PTFE-coated pivot balls and rocker posts are machined from 7075 aluminum, a premium alloy that is significantly stronger than 6061.
Each corner of the E-Revo has a unique pair of upper and lower arms. The Heavy Duty material is incredibly resilient and retains just enough flex to resist breaking, even in cold temperatures.
The TUBES pushrods and toe links are stronger than titanium links thanks to their hybrid construction featuring lightweight 7075 aluminum bodies and steel threaded inserts. The pushrods are assembled for you, while the toe links let you install the heavy-duty rod ends to set the correct lengths for front or rear installation. The set includes a deluxe 8 mm wrench and instructions with full-size illustrations and settings. There’s no construction difference between the optional red-anodized tie bars and the stock blue parts, but they sure look nice.
Before and after with arms, toe-links, push rods, and bulkhead tie bars installed.
The GTR shocks arrive assembled, minus springs. The required 40-weight silicone fluid is included. Stock silver looks good, but the blue anodizing adds a nice custom touch. We swapped the stock springs over to the new shocks.
Phase 2: Drivetrain
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The E-Revo’s heavy-duty driveline features steel CV shafts to transfer power from the differentials to the wheels. Super-sized composite center shafts handle the transmission connection via universal joints. We're upgrading the center shafts to steel with CV-style joints for extra-long wear and even more strength. You’ll just need to remove the lower skid plate to access the driveshafts. As a finishing touch, we swapped the blue-anodized 17 mm hubs and nuts for red.
The steel center driveshafts kit includes both shafts and fresh screw pins. The stock composite shaft is super thick to exploit the strengths of that material, while the steel shafts can be much thinner. Silicone boots hold lubrication in and keep debris out.
You’ll need to remove the lower skidplate to install the CV shafts. It’s tempting to leave the skidplate off to show off the new shafts, but we’ll put it back on there to protect the shafts.
Phase 3: Chassis & Body
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We’re making just a few tweaks to the chassis and body with a wheelie bar, body reinforcements, and Exo-Carbon wing. Strapping two 3-cell Power Cell LiPos into the E-Revo is a first-class ticket to wheelie-town, and the wheelie bar lets you mash the throttle with impunity. You can set the bar low for drag-style launches, high for stunting, or choose from two in-between positions. If you’re a real hammer and need even greater toughness from your E-Revo, the body reinforcement set is low-cost insurance against wear and tear at the body-mounting hardware when that triple-backflip doesn’t go quite as planned.
No tools are required to set wheelie-bar height, the four position settings just pop into place. We replaced the stock plastic wheels with the optional blue-anodized versions, which include white-lettered tires.
The Exo-Carbon wing delivers the look of woven carbon fiber without the cost, and far better durability than actual graphite construction. The Exo-Carbon wing will only set you back a few bucks more than the solid-color versions.
The body reinforcement set is just $8, and you don’t even need to remove the body to install the parts.
Phase 4: Batteries & Electronics
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The E-Revo features premium electronics right out of the box. With the 3-cell Power Cell LiPo batteries we’re installing on board, the VXL-6s power system produces instant wheelie-popping, dirt-roosting torque with ample horsepower to push the big truck past 70 mph. There’s no upgrade from there, we’re already at the top. Dual servos aim the truck with 250 oz.-in. of torque, which is plenty, but we’ll do even better and save some weight at the same time by switching to a single High-Torque 400 brushless servo. This potent servo delivers a muscular 400 oz.-in. of torque for a 60% boost in steering power, with the added benefits of enhanced precision and responsiveness. We're adding the Telemetry Expander with GPS module to our truck both for the live speed and telemetry, but also for the tuning ease of the Traxxas Link app. Your Android or iOS device becomes the TQi transmitter’s display when you add the Traxxas Link Wireless Module.
The High-Torque 400 servo combines an all-metal gear train with a brushless motor to deliver super-responsive steering with 400 oz.-in. of torque. That’s 25 pounds of force! One High-Torque 400 servo has as much power as three of the stock 2075 servos (or 3.2 servos, if you want to be totally precise).
The 400 servo is a direct replacement for the 2075. To fill the empty position for the unneeded second servo, we installed a 5326X cover plate. It’s designed for the nitro Revo, but it also fits the E-Revo with a little trimming. We reinstalled the servo guard too, it’s only removed here so you can see the servo.
The Telemetry Expander with GPS lets you see line speed data via the Traxxas Link app, and has extra ports to add RPM, temperature, and voltage sensors. The E-Revo has mounts for the Expander Module molded into the rear chassis support. Screws are supplied with the module to install it.
The #6511 Traxxas Link Wireless Module installs in the back of the TQi transmitter. Just remove the cover and replace it with the module. Traxxas Link makes it easy to select gauge locations and styles to customize the real-time dashboard.
The E-Revo’s integrated battery compartments make it easy to install a pair of Power Cell LiPo batteries without having to hassle with clips or straps, and the packs are well protected inside the chassis.
Phase 5: Tires & Wheels
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If your E-Revo action includes everything from blacktop running and hard-packed dirt to lose soil and grass, you’ve already got the best tires for that multi-mission assignment. The supplied Talon ETX tires are designed to do it all and provide long wear. But if you want to tailor your E-Revo to specific conditions (or, you want more wheel-color options for the Talon EXTs), Traxxas has choices for you. The competition-developed Response Pro tires are ideal for track use and any hard-packed dirt situation. If you’re looking for traction in snow and sand, reach for the paddle tires. These extreme treads are a blast in those conditions, and they’re TSM-rated to hold tight with full 6-cell power. If you manage to wear out your Talon EXTs and want to try a bright-wheel look, you can get them mounted on orange, green, or black wheels.
That marks the end of our E-Revo build. Wrenching can be a lot of fun, but there's no substitute for some good 'ol full-throttle mud-slinging action so charge up your batteries and start your next adventure!
