What pinion gear to get with sport tuned motor?

[RC_Hobbyist]

For my first upgrade, I am going with an upgrade to Tamiya's sport tuned motor for my hornet evo.

Will the stock 17T pinion gear suffice? If not, what is the recommended pinion gear to use with this motor?

[Twinfan]

You only have the option of 17T or 19T with that gearbox, and 17T is the way to go 

[Rinskie]

Nah that's hogwash. I'd use a treefiddy on that motor 

[RC_Hobbyist]

On 2/24/2025 at 1:12 PM, Twinfan said:

You only have the option of 17T or 19T with that gearbox, and 17T is the way to go 

Is there any reason at all to use a 19T pinion gear with the Hornet Evo?

[Twinfan]

6 minutes ago, RC_Hobbyist said:

Is there any reason at all to use a 19T pinion gear with the Hornet Evo?

Yes, with a brushless motor as they need taller gearing and possibly something like the Tamiya Lightly Tuned motor which has plenty of torque (but doesn't rev very high).

[RC_Hobbyist]

6 hours ago, Twinfan said:

Yes, with a brushless motor as they need taller gearing and possibly something like the Tamiya Lightly Tuned motor which has plenty of torque (but doesn't rev very high).

I know I won't be going brushless on my Hornet Evo.

Trying to keep it as original as I can.

[Wooders28]

Tried a few on my DT03.

16t (32dp) kind if fits, probably not last long on a low turned brushless, but the lower torque of a brushed, might not be too bad.

 

I've run a 20T (32dp) for a while though, with bonkers power brushless, and been fine, the motor can't move away because of the gearbox casing, and obviously won't move in.

 

[kevinb120]

Usually the sport tuned just makes whatever vehicle feel like the battery is just a little more topped off from the silver can, or like a same voltage NiMH vs Lipo swap.  Typically you just drop kick them in with whatever you were happy with when it had the standard 540.  Maybe a +1 tooth if it's available/fits.  It's a $15 hop up motor.  I'm sticking them in just about everything I planned on using the stock can(unless it's vintage/restored or something as part of the look of a model).

[CMshooter]

On 3/4/2025 at 2:29 AM, RC_Hobbyist said:

Is there any reason at all to use a 19T pinion gear with the Hornet Evo?

Stock final drive is 9.28 with the 17 tooth.  That sounds fairly conservative for something with buggy sized wheels.  If you are going to run it in grass a lot, use the 17, but I would run the 19 tooth on gravel, smooth dirt, and road.   That is not nearly enough of a jump in gearing for a brushless setup.  My Bandit is geared 6 to 1 with a 13.5 brushless.

[River19]

I have the Torque Tuned motor not the Sport Tuned (by choice) and run the 19T which is perfect for the TT.

Pinions are cheap.....try both, choose the one you like best.

[El Gecko]

On 3/5/2025 at 8:10 PM, River19 said:

I have the Torque Tuned motor not the Sport Tuned (by choice) and run the 19T which is perfect for the TT.

Pinions are cheap.....try both, choose the one you like best.

Sure the Torque Tuned can run with a 19t pinion, but the Sport Tuned already gets really hot with the 17t, so I think the 19t would be even worse and may even burn up the motor.