Just got a new to me Wraith. I have a Spawn also with the 32 pitch spur and pinion with the 20 turn motor. I want to replace the spur and pinion in the new Wraith with 32 pitch gearing with a 55t Axial brushed. What do I need for crawling/trailing?
I got a Poison Spyder a few months ago with the sole purpose of crawling. I ran with the Axial 55T motor.....cheap and its holding up just fine.
I've spent alot of time over the last couple months playing with gear ratio. Now I'm running 48P but its the ratio that counts.....I'll let others debate 32p vs 48P...
Here are some of my observations....
1. Started with an 87T Spur and 15T Pinion (Ratio: 5.8:1) It was a monster crawler, but didn't have the wheel speed you sometimes need to get up and over some spots. At full throttle, it wouldn't keep up at normal walking speed so not too good for a couple miles of trail.
2. Kept the 87T Spur and went back to the stock 20T pinion that came with the RTR (Ratio: 4.35:1) Still a good crawler, can't say I ran across anything I couldn't climb....still had plenty of power, but just too fast for the setup I was looking for. Definetly pull away from you at a brisk walk. Probably a real good setup for someone looking for some longer trails and a bit of slow bashing.
3. Kept the 87T Spur and went with a robinson 18T Pinion (Ratio: 4.83:1) YEP! Works great. A crap load of crawling power and will pull away from me at 3/4 throttle while walking my normal trail speed. I've taken it on 5+ mile hikes and it runs great. Definitely not a basher though....I like things slower than alot of people.
Regarding the Axial 55T motor......yeah, I wouldn't run it full out. While on the trail I keep it at 3/4 Throttle. After 1/2 hour of trail, the motor isn't hot at all.
Bottom line: For a good crawler I'd run with the +/- 4.8:1 ratio and keep the 55T motor. If you run a bit faster than I do and burn it up.....buy another for $15.
Hope that helps.
