
The Traxxas Villain IV, in its stock form, will run at speeds of approximately 15-18mph (with the Stinger 20-turn motors). Many different parts and accessories are available from aftermarket manufacturers which can greatly enhance the speed of the Villain.
When all of the add-on accessories
are combined with high performance motors and
batteries, speeds can reach, or even exceed, 30mph.
Traxxas engineers have radar-clocked their own
test Villains in excess of 30mph.
Motors
Modified motors are
available in reverse rotation for perfect compatibility
with the Villain's counter rotating props. Using
approved modified motors will cause significantly
increased current draw through the boat's electrical
components. As the horsepower of your motors increases,
so should the thickness of the wires and the quality
and current capacity of the speed control and
batteries.
Props
New props are the least
expensive and most beneficial modification you
can make to your Villain.
1 Octura X447 (LH)
Beryllium copper prop
1 Octura X447 (RH) Beryllium copper prop
2 Octura OCGCSS prop shafts.
Speed Control
The ultimate set-up is to use a
fully proportional electronic speed control which
is de-signed to handle the increased voltage and
huge current draw. There are many different brands
of these speed controls available, along with
many different features such as water cooling,
reverse capability, and thermal shutdown protection.
Consult your hobby dealer to find which suits
your needs and budget.
Water cooling
Water
cooling is highly recommended for all levels of
Villain modification and is mandatory for all
12-cell applications. The cooling system consists
of aluminum tubing which picks up water from underneath
the boat, circulates it through coils wrap-ped
around the motors, and in some cases, the speed
control, and then exits through the side or rear
of the boat.
These systems can remove
up to 50% of the heat generated inside high-performance
boats. The Traxxas water cooling kit, part
#1575, includes all the parts necessary to
water cool the Villain.
Some final thoughts...Careful
assembly is crucial to obtaining the best results
with the high-performance Villains. This means
making sure all the rotating mechanisms operate
freely with as little friction as possible. The
left and right drive systems should be equal to
each other. If one side runs faster or is adjusted
differently from the other side, the Villain will
exhibit inconsistent performance.
Experiment with the trim adjustments
on the drive units to find which angle offers
the best overall performance with your particular
motors, and gear ratios. Also, look for ways to
reduce weight and bottom surface drag. When all
of these elements are combined, your Villain will
be one of the fastest electric V-hulls around. |