Motor Recommendations And Speeds
Looking to get a brushed motor for your rig, but don’t know where to start? Too many choices got you dizzy in the head? This guide will help you make a motor selection and ensure you get what you need and gear it properly!
Are you just starting out and don’t know what to get? Select a 55t TorqueMaster. 20t CrawlMaster, or 2200kv brushless for slow going and long run times or a 27t TorqueMaster, 13t CrawlMaster, or 3300/3500kv brushless for more power and wheel speed.
Don’t let your motor temperature get over 160°F (70°C) for best motor life! When in need of more speed, volt up and gear down instead of increasing the pinion size.
Purchasing for a child new to R/C crawling and trail running? The 55t TorqueMaster 540 Expert motor for crawling is our best suggestion. It is not overly powerful on 2 or 3s LiPo and is less likely to break parts. Faster (lower) turn counts, Pro series brushed motors, and brushless motors can break parts more easily. Beware of the power!
These are our motors arranged by length.
| Length (in mm) | Motor Type |
| 25.0 | Revolver 540 SS Team Spec |
| 25.5 | Revolver 280 |
| 27.4 | Revolver Snubnose |
| 28.5 | TorqueMaster Sport Micro |
| 31.0 | Revolver 540 M Team Spec |
| 37.0 | TorqueMaster Mini 180 |
| 37.5 | Revolver 540 |
| 39.0 | Revolver 380 |
| 40.0 | CrawlMaster Sport 380 TorqueMaster Sport 380 |
| 45.0 | Puller Pro Stubby CrawlMaster BL 540 Stubby |
| 46.1 | Lil’ Tugger Puller 400 |
| 46.4 | CrawlMaster Magnum Stubby |
| 47.0 | Ten Shooter Stubby |
| 49.0 | Revolver 540-L Classic |
| 52.0 | CrawlMaster Sport/Expert/Pro 540 TorqueMaster Expert/Pro 540 TrailMaster Sport 540 Retro Sport 540 Custom Pro 540 Team Flow Pro 540 |
| 52.5 | CrawlMaster Magnum 540 |
| 53.0 | Puller Pro Standard Ten Shooter 540 |
| 55.0 | Puller 500 |
| 57.0 | CrawlMaster Sport 550 TrailMaster Sport 550 |
| 60.0 | CrawlMaster Expert/Pro 550 TorqueMaster 550 |
| 60.6 | Puller Pro R 540-L |
Below is a list of motor turn counts and speeds. Motors on the same line have equivalent speeds.
| Motor Type | 3 slot straight armature | 3 slot skewed armature | 5 slot straight armature | 5 slot skewed armature | Brushless |
| Fastest | 4500Kv | ||||
| 4100Kv | |||||
| Torquemaster Expert 540 13T | 3800Kv | ||||
| 3500Kv | |||||
| 3300Kv | |||||
| TrailMaster Sport 550 12T | 3100Kv | ||||
| CrawlMaster Magnum Stubby 9T | 3000Kv | ||||
| Retro Sport 540 15T | 2900Kv | ||||
| CrawlMaster Pro 540 11T | Puller 400 Crawl 13T Puller 500 Crawl 11T |
2700Kv | |||
| Retro Sport 540 17T | 2650Kv | ||||
| CrawlMaster Magnum Stubby 11T | 2500Kv | ||||
| Tamiya Sport Tuned | 2400Kv | ||||
| Retro Sport 540 19T | CrawlMaster Sport 550 8T | 2300Kv | |||
| Retro Sport 540 21T Lil' Tugger 30T TorqueMaster 540 27T TorqueMaster 550 21T |
Custom Pro 540 27T | CrawlMaster Expert 540 13T CrawlMaster Pro 540 13T CrawlMaster Pro 550 10T |
Puller 400 Crawl 16T Puller 500 Crawl 13T |
2200Kv | |
| Axial 540 27T | 2100Kv | ||||
| Tamiya (Mabuchi) Silver Can | 1950Kv | ||||
| Lil' Tugger 33T TorqueMaster 540 30T |
Puller 400 Flow 33T Puller 500 Flow 30T |
CrawlMaster Sport 540 13T CrawlMaster Sport 550 10T |
CrawlMaster Magnum 540 11T | 1850Kv | |
| TrailMaster Sport 540 27T TrailMaster Sport 550 21T Traxxas Titan 550 21T |
1800Kv | ||||
| CrawlMaster Expert 540 16T CrawlMaster Pro 540 16T CrawlMaster Sport 550 12T |
CrawlMaster Magnum 540 13T Puller 400 Crawl 20T Puller 500 Crawl 16T |
1700Kv | |||
| Lil' Tugger 38T TorqueMaster 540 35T TorqueMaster 550 27T |
Custom Pro 540 35T Puller 400 Flow 38T Puller 500 Flow 35T |
CrawlMaster Sport 540 16T CrawlMaster Pro 550 12T |
CrawlMaster Magnum 540 16T | 1500Kv | |
| CrawlMaster Sport 550 13T | 1450Kv | ||||
| TrailMaster Sport 540 35T TrailMaster Sport 550 27T |
1400Kv | ||||
| TorqueMaster 540 40T | CrawlMaster 540 20T CrawlMaster Sport 550 15T |
Puller 500 Crawl 20T | 1250Kv | ||
| 1200Kv | |||||
| TorqueMaster 540 45T | 1100Kv | ||||
| Slowest | TorqueMaster 540 55T TrailMaster Sport 540 55T TrailMaster Sport 550 45T |
1000Kv |
Motor And Gearing Recommendations By Vehicle
Axial AX10
General Trail use:
35t – 27t TrailMaster Sport 540*
35t – 27t TorqueMaster 540*
16t – 13t CrawlMaster 540*
Competition:
30t – 27t TorqueMaster 540*
13t – 11t CrawlMaster 540*
*5.6:1 pinion to spur ratio advised to prevent overheating. Example: 15 tooth pinion and 84 tooth spur
Axial Capra
Reverse Rotation Motor Required
General Trail use:
55t – 35t TrailMaster Sport 540
55t – 35t TorqueMaster 540
20t – 16t CrawlMaster 540*
16t CrawlMaster Magnum 540
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Stubby or Standard
Revolver 540 (Snubnose is not recommended)
*10 or 9 tooth pinion needed
Axial RBX10 Ryft
General Trail use:
Puller Pro 540-L
Axial RR10 Bomber
General Trail use:
27t – 21t TrailMaster Sport 550*
27t – 21t TorqueMaster 550*
15t – 12t CrawlMaster 550*
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Standard, 540-L
*11 tooth pinion / 68 tooth spur advised for brushed motors to prevent overheating.
Stock gearing compatible with brushless motors.
Axial SCX10
General Trail use:
35t – 27t TrailMaster Sport 540*
35t – 27t TorqueMaster 540*
16t – 13t CrawlMaster 540*
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Stubby or Standard
Revolver 540 or Snubnose
*5.6:1 pinion to spur ratio advised for brushed motors to prevent overheating. Example: 15 tooth pinion and 84 tooth spur
Stock gearing compatible with brushless motors.
Axial SCX10 II
General Trail use:
35t – 27t TrailMaster Sport 540
27t – 21t TrailMaster Sport 550
35t – 27t TorqueMaster 540
27t – 21t TorqueMaster 550
16t – 13t CrawlMaster 540
15t – 10t CrawlMaster 550
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Stubby or Standard
Revolver 540 or Snubnose
Stock gearing compatible with brushless and brushed motors using stock tire sizes.
Brushed motors will require gearing down if increasing wheel and tire size.
Axial SCX10 III
Reverse Rotation Motor Required for Portal axles
General Trail use:
27t – 21t TrailMaster Sport 550 (12t is not suitable for crawling)
27t – 21t TorqueMaster 550
15t – 10t CrawlMaster 550
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Standard
Revolver 540 or Snubnose
Axial SMT10
General Trail use:
27t – 21t TrailMaster Sport 550
27t – 21t TorqueMaster 550
15t – 10t CrawlMaster 550
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Standard, 540-L
Axial Wraith 1.9
General Trail use:
27t – 21t TrailMaster Sport 550 (12t is not suitable for crawling)
27t – 21t TorqueMaster 550
15t – 10t CrawlMaster 550
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Standard
Revolver 540 (Snubnose is not recommended)
Axial Wraith
General Trail use:
35t – 27t TrailMaster Sport 540*
35t – 27t TorqueMaster 540*
16t – 13t CrawlMaster 540*
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Stubby or Standard
*5.6:1 pinion to spur ratio (or even lower gearing) advised to prevent overheating for brushed motors. Example: 15 or 14 tooth pinion and 84 tooth spur (if using 48p)
Stock gearing compatible with brushless motors.
Axial Wraith Spawn
General Trail use:
35t – 27t TrailMaster Sport 540*
35t – 27t TorqueMaster 540*
16t – 13t CrawlMaster 540*
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Stubby or Standard
*5.6:1 pinion to spur ratio (or even lower gearing) advised to prevent overheating for brushed motors. Example: 15 or 14 tooth pinion and 84 tooth spur.
Stock gearing compatible with brushless motors.
Axial XR10
General Trail use:
35t – 27t TrailMaster Sport 540
40t – 27t TorqueMaster 540
16t – 13t CrawlMaster 540
Competition:
35t – 30t TorqueMaster 540
16t – 13t CrawlMaster 540
Start with stock pinion, 14 tooth or smaller
Axial Yeti (1/10)
General Trail use:
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Standard, 540-L
Axial Yeti XL (1/6)
Puller Pro 4274
Element RC Enduro - Sendero, Ecto, TrailRunner, Knight Runner, Gatekeeper, Bushido
Reverse Rotation Motor Required
General Trail use:
35t – 27t TrailMaster Sport 540
27t – 21t TrailMaster Sport 550
35t – 27t TorqueMaster 540
27t – 21t TorqueMaster 550
16t – 13t CrawlMaster 540
15t – 10t CrawlMaster 550
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Stubby or Standard
Revolver 540 or Snubnose
enRoute Berg
General Trail use:
40t – 27t TorqueMaster 540
16t – 13t CrawlMaster 540
Competition:
35t – 30t TorqueMaster 540
16t – 13t CrawlMaster 540
35t – 30t Puller 500 Flow
16t – 13t Puller 500 Crawl
12 tooth or smaller pinion recommended
HPI Venture
General Trail use:
35t – 27t TrailMaster Sport 540
27t – 21t TrailMaster Sport 550
35t – 27t TorqueMaster 540
30t – 21t TorqueMaster 550
16t – 13t CrawlMaster 540
15t – 10t CrawlMaster 550
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Stubby or Standard
Revolver 540 or Snubnose
Stock gearing compatible with brushless and 550 size brushed motors.
540 size brushed motors may require gearing down, especially if increasing wheel and tire size.
Losi Baja Rey
General Trail use:
Puller Pro V2 540-L 2100Kv, 2700Kv
Losi Night Crawler
General Trail use:
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Standard
Revolver 540 (Snubnose is not recommended)
Losi Rock Rey
General Trail use:
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Standard, 540-L
RC4WD Bully II
General Trail use:
40t – 27t TorqueMaster 540
16t – 13t CrawlMaster 540
Competition:
35t – 30t TorqueMaster 540
16t – 13t CrawlMaster 540
35t – 30t Puller 500 Flow
16t – 13t Puller 500 Crawl
~35:1 overall reduction from the motor output to the tires
RC4WD Gelande II
Reverse Rotation Motor Required
General Trail use:
35t – 27t TrailMaster Sport 540
27t – 21t TrailMaster Sport 550
35t – 27t TorqueMaster 540
30t – 21t TorqueMaster 550
16t – 13t CrawlMaster 540
15t – 10t CrawlMaster 550
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Stubby or Standard
Revolver 540 or Snubnose
Competition:
30t – 27t TorqueMaster 540
16t – 11t Crawlmaster 540
RC4WD Trail Finder 2
Reverse Rotation Motor Required
General Trail use:
35t – 27t TrailMaster Sport 540*
27t – 21t TrailMaster Sport 550
35t – 27t TorqueMaster 540*
27t – 21t TorqueMaster 550
16t – 13t CrawlMaster 540*
15t – 10t CrawlMaster 550
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Stubby or Standard
Revolver 540 or Snubnose
Competition:
30t – 27t TorqueMaster 540*
16t – 11t Crawlmaster 540*
*540 size brushed motors will need to have motor temperatures closely monitored when using 2nd gear.
Stock gearing compatible with brushless and 550 size brushed motors.
Redcat Racing Gen8
Reverse Rotation Motor Required
General Trail use:
45t – 21t TrailMaster Sport 550 (12t is not suitable for crawling)
27t – 21t TorqueMaster 550
15t – 10t CrawlMaster 550
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Standard
Revolver 540 (Snubnose is not recommended)
Redcat Racing Gen9
Reverse Rotation Motor Required?
General Trail use:
45t – 21t TrailMaster Sport 550 (12t is not suitable for crawling)
27t – 21t TorqueMaster 550
15t – 12t CrawlMaster 550
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Standard
Revolver 540 (Snubnose is not recommended)
Redcat Racing Wendigo
General Trail use:
Puller Pro 540-L
Traction Hobby Cragsman
General Trail use:
45t – 21t TrailMaster Sport 550
27t – 21t TorqueMaster 550
Traxxas Slash 4X4
General Trail use:
12t TrailMaster Sport 550
Traxxas Telluride 4X4
General Trail use:
12t TrailMaster Sport 550
Traxxas TRX-4
Reverse Rotation Motor Required
General Trail use:
27t – 21t TrailMaster Sport 550 (12t is not suitable for crawling)
27t – 21t TorqueMaster 550
15t – 12t CrawlMaster 550 (single speed transmission)
10t – 8t CrawlMaster 550 (single speed transmission with gearing reduction)
15t – 10t CrawlMaster 550 (two speed transmission)
High Trail and Tracked vehicles:
15t - 12t Crawlmaster 550 (must run 9t pinion)
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Standard
Revolver 540 (Snubnose is not recommended)
Traxxas TRX-6
Reverse Rotation Motor Required
General Trail use:
27t – 21t TrailMaster Sport 550 (12t is not suitable for crawling)
27t – 21t TorqueMaster 550
15t – 10t CrawlMaster 550
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Standard
Revolver 540 (Snubnose is not recommended)
Vanquish VS4-10 Origin
General Trail use:
35t – 27t TrailMaster Sport 540
27t – 21t TrailMaster Sport 550
35t – 27t TorqueMaster 540
27t – 21t TorqueMaster 550
16t – 13t CrawlMaster 540
15t – 10t CrawlMaster 550
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Stubby or Standard
Revolver 540 or Snubnose
Stock (15 tooth kit pinion/ 13 tooth RTR pinion / 56 tooth spur) gearing compatible with 35t TorqueMaster 540 and 16t CrawlMaster 540
Stock gearing compatible with brushless and brushed motors using stock tire sizes.
Brushed motors will require gearing down if increasing wheel and tire size.
Vanquish VS4-10 Pro
General Trail use:
35t – 27t TrailMaster Sport 540
35t – 27t TorqueMaster 540
16t – 13t CrawlMaster 540
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Stubby or Standard
Revolver 540 or Snubnose
Vanquish VS4-10 Ultra
Reverse Rotation Motor Required
General Trail use:
35t – 27t TrailMaster Sport 540
35t – 27t TorqueMaster 540
16t – 13t CrawlMaster 540
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Stubby or Standard
Revolver 540 or Snubnose
Vanquish VS4-10 Phoenix
Reverse Rotation Motor Required
General Trail use:
35t – 27t TrailMaster Sport 540
35t – 27t TorqueMaster 540
16t – 13t CrawlMaster 540
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Stubby or Standard 1800Kv-2700Kv
Revolver 540 or Snubnose
Vaterra Ascender
General Trail use:
35t – 27t TrailMaster Sport 540
35t – 27t TorqueMaster 540
16t – 13t CrawlMaster 540
Puller Pro V2 Rock Crawler Motor - Stubby or Standard
Revolver 540 or Snubnose