Budget Motor Upgrade For The Traxxas TRX-4 Sport - Install Tips & Test Drive - Holmes Hobbies 

What battery did you use and gearing.

I always use 3s. That was 9/45 gearing. Stock ring and pinions.

@little harold keep in mind, the sport comes with a 39t spur and 17t pinion (36:1 final drive ratio). The smallest pinion that fits is a 15t (41:1 FDR), unless you get a 45t spur. Then you can use anywhere from 16t-9t pinion. 16t/49t = 44:1 FDR. 9t/45t = 79:1 FDR. Me personally, I would try a 15t pinion on the 39t spur, and if you feel it’s too fast, or not controllable enough on the low end, switch to the 45t spur and go from there. Pinions are cheap, so it’s nice to experiment with.

@little harold for sure, definitely explore the different settings on the 1080, (I believe you have one anyway) you might be surprised how well the 5 slot can crawl on the low end while maintaining good wheel speed. Particularly when compared to the stock motor. Enjoy the new setup!

Have you used second gear much and if so in what ways? Just wondering how the 8-10,t holds up when bashing around and hill climbing lose dirt in second or if it should be highly avoided

@@shaneclipse97 I've had good luck with it so far. I did a bunch of hooning around with it. Donuts, jumps, wheelies, etc. Went through most of a 3s 4000 pack that way and my motor still wasn't too hot (didn't get a temp reading). I have no concerns with it holding up well.

did the motor last? would you recommend i get one? why would you want to upgrade the stock ESC? thanks!

I want to do the same thing

I think 1/2 of all trx4 defenders have gone 1080 and crawlmaster sport 550 12t. So good!

Running the same in my sport its such a great combo

@@OswaldBeef what is the difference between a trail master and a crawl master 12T 550?

1080 is the way to go

I have Traxx so I need the turning power, I also upgraded to brass portal housings, kept the plastic portal cover for now, and yeah racing axles with plastic dif covers.

@little harold I did. It is the 17T pinion that came with the kit. My ESC is a Hobby Wing QuickRun 1080. The Holmes Hobbies 12T Crawlmaster Sport is the 550 can. Fun crawler.

whoopsie!

Unloading in this context means that the motor rpm goes up a lot when a load is removed. Makes it harder control when the terrain varies.

12 or 13t will bring the wheelspeed back in line with stock gearing and 27t 550

I don’t plan on using the 2 speed either. Currently have the stock RTR electronics with overdrive and 11t gear.

Also how Collins was at the comp and he's the one who actually suggested this motor to me after I saw how well it ran in his setup and he agreed that it didn't seem right that the motor smoked so fast especially w how easy I was taking it (he was watching me run and I crawl w him at his place from time to time) so prob was just a bad motor that made its way through q/a. So excited to get another and then win sok comps w my hh powerplant. I did avoid using 2nd gear almost at all mainly cause I was comping and because I I've r lead u don't want to w a low turn motor. On the stock motor tho I loved to try and blast up big dirt hills in 2nd gear hill climb style and was ch the truck try and find grip and a line while I tried to control it and maneuver it. Do I have to give this type of driving up for gods w an 8t? Not crawling in second g we but you know using second with a good run up and trying to make it up dirt hills but of the time ufl can't find traction and a line w in say 15 seconds I back out and re align my run up and ry again(truck normally flips first anyway. That's not ok to do tho w this motor right? Or was I playing it too safe and missing out on fun by not using second and not hill climbing other than in 1st? The motor smoked on a hill climb in first and didn't have the ass needed to get over the hill the first time but it smoked instantly anyway so idk what to do in that situation of I'm avoiding first

we are a bit behind in emails, but we will take care of it. If you are runnning 3s I would recommend gearing down, its a very fast motor that is capable of being stalled out on 3s.

@@HolmesHobbies sorry for typos new phone and I was in a hurry on a break. I was running 10tooth pin gear which is one less than stock. Do you think I should lower the pinion gear even further ? Also w the 8t should I just not use 2nd gear on my trxt4, which is 54t spur. If so what should I be aware of when using It. I don't really wanna go the 8t motor route if I never get to use my second gear is what I guess I'm getting ti

oh yeah, all his idea, lol

personal preference, 12t. enough wheelspeed and not spongy on the throttle.

@@HolmesHobbies Okay, sold - I'll set a watch up. Hmm, well I still have the stock pinion (13T) and spur (56T) in my box O'Spares... Don't think I want to down size the spur back to stock, but the 13T pinion with 60T spur I hope will suffice for gear down. Or you think that would that be a little too much reduction?

reverse the motor

Red is positive for normal installs. If it spins backwards just swap polarity

Certainly is, 1080 is great esc, and pinion is fine if it fits check the chart. Otherwise fine setup

12t crawlmaster 550 sport

Geared a little lower it would be fine. Or choose the 10t model.

@@HolmesHobbies so do you think a trx4 with the two speed and a 9t pinion/45t spur running 3s lipo will be fine? Hard time trying to figure out if I want a trailmaster 550 21t or this crawlmaster 550 8t.

Higher turn. 27t trailmaster 550 or 15t crawlmaster 550 (5 slot, slower than normal 15t) would be really smooth and controlled

@@HolmesHobbies thanks for replying even though it’s been awhile since you made this video👍🏼

The stock motor on 3S is really quite good. I upgraded to the crawlmaster sport 550 12T. Most everyone in my town has done the same. A Little more power and drag break without breaking the bank.

12t crawlmaster 550

Thanks5 brothers!!!!! Time to order put 2 aside for me John

You could just gear up a bit, but personally I would put a 10t crawlmaster 550 in

@@HolmesHobbies what pinion will be good on the 10t crawl master for element enduro

It’s literally $20 for 20% more torque. Plus, saying you can out crawl a redcat isn’t saying much🙄

@@jacobcvpi8279, My point was for how I use my truck, it's great right out of the box. I did add realism pieces to it.

yep

It's hard to best sport motors for mud. I'd rather ruin 6 $20 motors than one $120 one

All motors will get ruined in mud, even "waterproof" brushless.

I should say, which pinion tooth count?

stock pinion is fine. 21t trailmaster sport 550 is a good drop in upgrade with similar wheelspeed, or 10t crawlmaster 550 for smoother starts

all of em, lol! literally any of the 550 sport motors. 10t crawlmaster is my personal fav

@@HolmesHobbies thank u... I just got a 13t crawl master at the chinese auction at spirit rc in PA for chuck Herbie at his cancer fund. Thanks for the donations..he was so happy and blessed..

it will be slow and weak. 21t 550 and 27t 540 are the golden zone for power and torque

Thank you for the reply i love the channel buddy awesome content

Would a 3660 sensor less motor 2600kv+60 amp esc would be to much for my trx 4 like to strong for the chassis

It's a 5 slot, so about like a 16t 550 in speed but amp draw more like a 19t 550

@@HolmesHobbies Thank you sir.

Capra is a fun scale rig, but the trx is a lot more solid. If you have a tendancy to bash or tumble down big rocks, the trx will give fewer problems. If you are a careful wheeler, the capra is a lot of fun.

@@HolmesHobbies thanks for the reply buddy , you have my SUB

Got to be quick like a jackrabbit my brother is RC game is rough my buddy got a 8 turn a week ago and I got a backup 12 turn about 3 days ago and the eight the 10 the 12 and the 13 was all in stock then

we have backstock and try to keep the website filled, but its touugh to keep up right now. Sign up for email updates and you will get notified when they pop up.

Sounds like a plan. I gotta get me a brushless setup soon. What do you recommend for the best wheel speed and smoothest start up thats less than $100 usd?

@@Cannabis_Connoisseur nothing that I've seen LOL when you find out let me know too

I been waiting for 4 months, and I don’t think the email... hahaha but w/e