Can you put 11.1V of 3s power into a stock Rustler?

[Yugaman]

Title says it all. Can you use 3s LiPos in a stock Traxxas Rustler. If you can, can you reccommend a cheap 3s with the new traxxas connector?

[Noj]

Yes, you will have to gear down though and watch temps....the velineon can get very toasty on 3s... I've melted gearbox housings running 3s on a Rustler, oops!

[Yugaman]

Oh gosh, so a 3s would be unsuitable for prolonged use. By gear down do you mean use the 'race mode' pinion gear supplied in the box?

[Noj]

Race mode pinny will increase speed, you need to drop teeth on a pinny to gear down (or fit a larger spur gear, a pinny swap is easy). Volt up, gear down

3s is quite a large kick up the backside from a 2s, ergo more strain on drivetrains parts etc...Traxxas driveshafts do wear quickly on 3s.

I'm not saying don't, just be mindful of potential pitfalls.

[Tug]

Or stick with 2S and gear up slightly. It'll be faster, but without becoming a handful.

[jim46]

ive found using a high quality lipo with good c rating makes a huge difference to performance, im running a firestorm brushless at the moment with orion motor and esc combo on street, have got a selection of cheaper lipo 2 cell packs which are ok, then ive also got some decent lipos with high capacity and good c rating, they make a big difference and give plenty of power for my back yard bashing, decided theres enough power now and still able to control the car, need lots of room with 3s on 10th scale cars, im going to get  a new rustler vxl for xmas for my son, and just get good 2 cell lipos to run it