Traxxas Revo 3.3 Review

The Traxxas Revo has been a shinning star in the RC community since its first debut in the industry, and is well known for its innovative designs. Things like the suspension set up, engine mounting position, and several other things make this truck stand out from the crowd.

The Revo 3.3 includes many great features, one of these is the way the suspension is set up. If you look at the picture above, you see the the shocks are mounted on top of the chassis, which are controlled by two pushrods mounted the the trucks suspension arms. This unique and innovative suspension set up not only gives it 60% more suspension travel than the legendary T-Maxx which was voted Truck of the year several years in a row, but gives it more suspension travel than any other monster truck on the market! Another great feature for racing included on the Revo 3.3 is the way that the engine is mounted. If you look at the picture below you see the the engine is angled in, which makes the truck not only have a lower Center of Gravity, but makes it so the truck handles even better by putting more weight towards the center of the chassis and off of the wheels.

Product Specifications (3.3 vs 2.5)

REVO 3.3 REVO 2.5R
Engine TRX® 3.3
Racing Engine
TRX® 2.5R
Racing Engine
Starter EZ-Start® EZ-Start®
Chassis Type Extended Chassis
3mm 6061-T6 Aluminum
Standard Chassis
3mm 6061-T6
Aluminum
Length 20.650"
525mm
19.469"
495mm
Front Track 16.378"
416mm
16.378"
416mm
Rear Track 16.476"
418.5mm
16.476"
418.5mm
Center Ground Clearance 4"
101mm
4"
101mm
Height (overall) 10.375"
264mm
10.375"
264mm
Wheelbase 13.7"
348mm
12.5"
318mm
Shock Length GTR™ Aluminum
3.43" (87mm)
GTR™ Aluminum
3.43" (87mm)
Weight (RTR no fuel) 9.8lbs (4.448kg) 9.4lbs (4.26kg)
Front Tires Talon™
5.75"x3.8"
Talon™
5.75"x3.8"
Rear Tires Talon™
5.75"x3.8"
Talon™
5.75"x3.8"
Front Wheels Chrome Split-Spoke™ Chrome Gemini™
Rear Wheels Chrome Split-Spoke™ Chrome Gemini™
Wheel Diameter 3.8"
97mm
3.8"
97mm
Suspension Fully independent
Progressive 2 Rockers
Fully independent
Progressive 1
Rockers
Transmission Wide-Ratio
Two-Speed
Forward/Reverse
Standard-Ratio
Two-Speed
Forward/Reverse
Gear Ratio (1st Gear) 23.85:1 23.85:1
Gear Ratio (2nd Gear) 15.22:1 16.54:1
Differential type Bevel gear, sealed, limited slip Bevel gear, sealed,
limited slip
Drive system Shaft-driven 4WD Shaft-driven 4WD
Radio System Traxxas TQ-3™
(3-Channel)
Traxxas TQ-3™
(3-Channel)
Brake Type Steel Disc with
semi-metallic pads
Steel Disc with
semi-metallic pads
Fuel Tank Capacity 125cc 125cc
Top Speed 45+mph 40+mph

As you can see, their is a noticeable improvement from the earlier 2.5 model of the Revo. A few things that Traxxas have to say about their 3.3 model is:

The Revo® 3.3 takes all the award-winning innovation engineered into Revo 2.5R to a new level of power and speed. Compared to the TRX® 2.5, the TRX 3.3 Racing Engine delivers 60% more peak horsepower along with an incredible boost of nearly 50% total increased horsepower under the curve. We’re talking real horsepower and torque increases you will see and feel every time you hammer the throttle. There’s never been an engine like the TRX 3.3 Racing Engine

The Revo 3.3 is upgraded with enhancements to harness the massive power output including 30mm of additional chassis length, increased engine mounting strength, and tighter suspension with installed progressive 2 rockers. There’s also a wide-ratio two-speed inside the transmission that takes full advantage of the TRX 3.3’s massive power curve for top speeds beyond 45mph! For the hardcore racer, Revo 3.3 has been designed to use the new Traxxas Revo center differential and rear brake kit (sold separately). On or off the track, Revo 3.3 is simply the ultimate, most-powerful machine for jaw-dropping handling and speed.

The Revo 3.3 is a great truck, although I do belive for whats included, it is a little over priced. You can expect to find the Revo 3.3 at most places for a price in the range of about $450-$500, but there are still several things you will need to buy to make this truck ready to go. You will require:

10%-20% Nitro Fuel - (Easily about $25)

8AA Radio batteries - (Depending on brand, usually about $10)

7.2v Battery for EZ-Starter - (For a decent battery, your looking at about $20)

Pit Equipment (Fuel bottle, glow ignitor, etc) - ( Around $20)

As you can see, you are probably going to be spending around $600, which for alot of RC enthusiasts is a lot to drop on a truck. Although, it may be worth the price to some. Would I personally buy it? Not at that price.

I myself have seen quite a few Revo 3.3's, I have raced with them, and I have bashed with them. All in all, I think it is a pretty good truck. They can take a good beating, but if you push them too hard, parts will start to break. Although on the plus side, you can be almost positive that you will be dominating the monster truck class at the race track. These things once tuned in correctly are stupid fast, and even with the stock suspension set ups they do awesome through the bends on even the windiest tracks. They have the handling of a buggy, yet the same get up and go power of a monster truck. Anyone who buys this vehicle should be quite content!!!

For more information, visit the Traxxas Website.

Comments

Terrible1

Sun, 02/10/2008 - 6:12am

1 minor error in your Revo review. The Revo does not require a glow starter to be purchased. The starting system that the truck comes with includes a glow ignitor built in. Did you actually drive one of these trucks prior to writing the review? I doubt it, your probably like most RC know it alls and just read the spec sheet and made an uninformed opinion based on it. Had you driven it you would have known the glow ignitor is built into the starter. Drive the truck and you'll never want to drive anything else.

Newbie

Tue, 02/09/2010 - 4:59am

yeah you wont want to drive anything else because after driving this piece of shit you'll give up on r/c cars for good. I've owned a revo for over a year now and olny driven it enough to break it in, which it literally did break even driving it to traxxis' proceedures to a T if it cant even handle the very mild break in process without damage how does it fare agenst far better machienes. and if you think this was my first R/C think again, been in the hobbie for about 10yrs now and have owned many different vehicls none as troublesome as the revo 3.3

me

Sun, 02/17/2008 - 4:28pm

i have a revo 3.3 and the engine didn't even last a year

rob

Wed, 05/14/2008 - 2:56am

They last on average of 5 gallons of fuel, maybe you ran it so much that it wore out natually.. you you didnt tune it right.

Newbie

Sun, 02/17/2008 - 4:32pm

revo3.3 i just got a new engine and it works like new. the old one had a blown connecting rod and a broken piston. i guess you shouldn't be doing donuts on the snow too much. and yes they work in snow.

Newbie

Thu, 07/30/2009 - 10:48am

hey the same thing happened to me too . well i was doing donuts in dirt . i have to buy a new rod and piston set :)

Hammer

Thu, 04/03/2008 - 5:37am

The 3.3 is a good motor if you get a good one. When i bought my truck new the motor never ran good. Within 1 week the rod was toast from which traxas wouldnt fix or replace. The second 3.3 i got rips and is still running strong. Flip a quarter and see what ya get.

omg..

Wed, 05/14/2008 - 2:57am

That's called abusing the engine, son

milerian

Sat, 06/07/2008 - 3:37am

i got a revo 3.3 3 days ago and broke it in like the dvd and the papers say and gues what my motor died in 7 tanks of gas in the car Hun u say yes 7 tanks of gas not 7 gallons so it wouldnt start just click so i take the head of and gues what i find 1 of the bolts missing in the head and burnt piston thay better replace my motor No charge dont get me wrong i love the truck for the hole 3 days i used it

Eric

Mon, 06/09/2008 - 8:58pm

I have been racing a Revo 3.3 for one year now and I can say it is a very good car. When set properly, it handles really good compared to other cars I have raced before like TMaxx or MGT, but if you are planning to do serious racing whit this car, you should consider either the Platinum edition or spending around $400 in essential upgrades, otherwise you will be breaking parts very often. In regards of the TRX 3.3R engine, it is not a racing engine like Traxxas says, both quality and power are below average. If you want to race go for a good engine, there are many options in the market.

Dimitri

Fri, 12/05/2008 - 8:36pm

What is the most powerful drop in motor for the revo 3.3

Newbie from OZ

Tue, 12/30/2008 - 3:34am

Hiya Dimitri, as far as i know a RB 523TM or RB 728 are the most potent drop ins for your revo, the 728 will need the traxxas big block conversion and then it will be a drop in engine

Newbie

Thu, 02/12/2009 - 4:48pm

I think the revo 3.3 is a waste of money everytime i drive it sumthing breaks my fly wheel broke 5 times i jus had to replace the gears and it takes a long time to get it started with the ez starter

RevoK'os

Sun, 03/01/2009 - 5:59pm

When I got my Revo 3.3 it broke every 2 or 3 times out. Once I learned how to drive it "hint hint" never had a problem. Now I beat the mess out of it and nothing breaks. Now I'm runnig a Axial .32 in it and its a beast. Also I doubt your flywheel broke 5 times I'm guessing it was the spurgear. setup your slipperclutch correctly and that wont happen.

Newbie

Thu, 02/12/2009 - 4:48pm

I think the revo 3.3 is a waste of money everytime i drive it sumthing breaks my fly wheel broke 5 times i jus had to replace the gears and it takes a long time to get it started with the ez starter

Newbie

Thu, 02/12/2009 - 4:48pm

I think the revo 3.3 is a waste of money everytime i drive it sumthing breaks my fly wheel broke 5 times i jus had to replace the gears and it takes a long time to get it started with the ez starter

Newbie

Mon, 03/30/2009 - 11:39pm

i just order one i hope it is great

mark

Wed, 05/27/2009 - 8:12pm

i can not get it tuned in low elavation at hi elavation it run grate what do i do

mark

Wed, 05/27/2009 - 8:34pm

i am thinking of selling it for a rock crawler

gonja racer

Sat, 07/25/2009 - 4:52am

i love my 3.3 in my t-maxx! i wanted the revo just because of the way it handles. i lowered my (t) as low as it will go, way better now. i run the sh__ out of mine, use 33% fuel. blow glow plugs all the time, (tuning issues w/weather changing all the time). drop me a line...

duke

Sun, 12/27/2009 - 1:47pm

i just got a revo 3.3 i like it so far besides the second day i owned it it jelled up on me and had to tear it all apart other than that it seems to be good i put diff shock oil in it and it handles like a champ now so far so good some ppl just like to complain i think.

ryfry

Sun, 01/24/2010 - 1:28pm

when at low elevation you need to open the high speed needle .......lower elevation has dense air, requires more fuel

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