Welcome back to the Adrenaline RC blog! In today’s post, we’re diving into the next chapter of our TLR Tuned Typhon Series — where Jacob tears down, rebuilds, and puts the car to the test on the track to find the perfect baseline setup.
🔧 The Rebuild: Getting Back to Baseline
Before hitting the track, Jacob rolled up his sleeves for a full diff rebuild and maintenance session.
Using 7-7-5 oils, he aimed to return the Typhon to its factory-spec baseline after plenty of run time. The goal? A smooth, balanced feel before experimenting with setup changes.
During the teardown, the diff oil was dark and low — a sure sign it needed a refresh. After a full clean, regrease, and refill, the center diff went back together with fresh fluid and proper shimming. Jacob also rechecked the front and rear sway bars, which turned out to be looser than ideal. Tightening them up restored the right amount of tension — smooth, but not floppy.
⚙️ Installing the Servo Saver Tube
Next up: upgrading to a new adjustable servo saver tube.
The factory setup wasn’t giving quite enough steering consistency, so the new tube allows fine-tuning for stiffer or softer steering feel. With a quick steering rack lift and some precision wrenching, Jacob swapped in the new component and locked it down tight.
🏁 Track Test: First Drive Impressions
With everything rebuilt, the Typhon hit the outdoor track for its first shakedown session. Despite a slightly damp surface from recent rain, the car immediately felt responsive and smooth — a solid starting point for dialing in performance.
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Lap Times: Jacob clocked a best of 24.6 seconds, just shy of Invitational-level pace.
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Steering: Predictable and consistent, with a touch of on-power push likely from soft tires.
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Suspension: Slightly soft, showing a bit of squat and dive, but overall balanced.
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Diffs: The 7-7-5 setup felt a little light — power was bleeding forward under acceleration, suggesting thicker fluid (like 10-10-7) would give better traction balance.
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Tires: The green compound didn’t quite match the track moisture — they broke down quickly and lost grip toward the end of the pack.
🔍 Key Takeaways
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Check your sway bars: Even RTR models can have them set too loose from the factory.
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Servo saver upgrade = more consistent steering.
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Go thicker on diffs: A 10-10-7 setup should hold up better under race pace.
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Try a stiffer tire compound to improve cornering consistency on drier sections.
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Consider gearing changes: The large spur gear limited top-end speed slightly — a smaller gear could help on longer straights.
📊 Final Thoughts
After a full rebuild and test session, the TLR Tuned Typhon proved it’s a serious performer right out of the box. With just a few tweaks — thicker diff fluids, better tire compound, and fine-tuned suspension — it’s ready to compete head-to-head with high-end race kits.
Jacob wrapped the day with a grin (and a 24.6-second lap to prove it). Next time, he’ll push even further with tuning adjustments to see how much more performance the Typhon can deliver.
Stay tuned for the next episode in the series — where we’ll revisit the track with new diff oil, new tires, and a mission to break into the 23s!