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26 

 Slayer

See Important Points to 

Remember on page 4 for other 
precautions.

BREAKInG In YoUR TRX 3.3 RAcInG EnGInE

The TRX 3.3 Racing Engine uses a ringless, aluminum-brass-chrome 
(ABC) piston/sleeve construction. This type of engine design relies on 
a very precise running fit between the piston and sleeve for cylinder 
sealing.

 Engine break-in is necessary to allow the piston and sleeve 

to develop an extremely precise fit and optimum cylinder sealing. 
Therefore, proper engine break-in is critical to achieving the fastest, 
most reliable engine performance. 

Allow yourself about 1 to 1

1

/

2

 hours to complete the break-in procedure. 

The engine break-in period will take 5 tanks of fuel in a Slayer. The break-in 
time is not the time to impress your friends with your new Slayer.

 You must 

wait until the engine is fully broken in before attempting sustained high 
speed running. 

Patience and careful attention during break-in will reward 

you with the best-performing TRX 3.3 Racing Engine possible.

During break-in, your engine may appear to malfunction with 
symptoms like stalling, inconsistent performance, and fouled glow 
plugs. These are simply the normal “break-in pains” engines sometimes 
go through. They will disappear once your engine is fully broken in. 
Many owners report not experiencing any of these symptoms with TRX 
Racing Engines.

 We recommend to go ahead and replace the glow 

plug with a new one after the engine break in procedure. 

Engine Break-in Procedure

The focus during break-in is to vary and limit the engine speed. This will 
be accomplished by accelerating and stopping at different rates for the 
first 5 tanks of fuel. As the engine begins to break-in, the duration and 
intensity of the acceleration will gradually increase. 

Sustained high-

speed running is not permitted until the 6th tank of fuel. 

Perform the 

initial break-in on a large, flat, paved surface. 

Slayer is very fast and by 

tanks 4 and 5 you will need plenty of room for the truck to run in. 
Apply all throttle and braking actions gently. Abrupt acceleration or 
braking could cause the engine to stall unnecessarily. 

  Special break-in fuels are not recommended. Use the same fuel you 

plan to use everyday.

  If possible, avoid breaking-in the engine on extremely hot or cold 

days (see page 28).

  Pay careful attention to the fuel level. Do not allow the fuel tank to 

run completely empty. An extremely low fuel level causes the mixture 
to run too lean. This could result in a burned glow plug or extremely 
high engine temperatures.

 

Do not attempt to break in the TRX 3.3 Racing Engine by idling it 
on a stand. This will produce poor results.

  Keep extra Traxxas glow plugs handy. The break-in process can cause 

deposits to form on the plug leading to plug failure.

  Change or clean your air filter after break-in.
  Follow the instructions exactly for each of the first 5 tanks of fuel.

Starting Your TRX 3.3 Racing Engine for the First Time

Before you start your TRX 3.3 Racing Engine for the first time, make sure 
you have read all instructions and precautions in this manual. 

Pay close 

attention to the tank-by-tank break-in instructions in the next section, 
and make sure you have read and understood them before you run 
your engine.

Your engine must be at room temperature (70°F or 21° C) or above the 
first time you start it

. If it’s cooler than room temperature outside, remove 

all fuel and keep your Slayer indoors until you’re ready to start it and then 
take it outside. If it’s colder than 45 degrees, special considerations should 
be made. See cold weather break-in on page 28. We do not recommend 
running the model in temperatures below 35 degrees.

1.

  

Turn on the radio system 

(see page 14).

2.

  Make sure the throttle trigger on the 

transmitter is in the idle (neutral) position.

3.  

Connect the EZ-Start controller according to 
the instructions on page 24.

4.

  Press the starter button in short two second 

bursts and watch for fuel moving through 
the fuel line up to the carburetor. Watch 
closely! The fuel moves very fast. If the fuel 
doesn’t move through the line within 5 seconds, prime the engine 
by briefly (one or two seconds) covering the exhaust outlet with your 
finger until the fuel is just visible in the carburetor fuel line. 

Watch 

carefully! If the engine is primed too long, it will flood with fuel and 
stop turning.

5.  

Once fuel reaches the carburetor, the engine should  
quickly start and idle.

6

.  Disconnect the EZ-Start controller from the model.

7

.  Proceed with the engine break-in.

8

.  Do not rev your engine with no load (wheels off the ground).

If your engine doesn’t start, go online to www.traxxas.com/support. 
If your factory fuel mixture settings have been altered, refer to page 
23. If you still have problems, contact Traxxas Customer Support at 
1-888-TRAXXAS or [email protected].

Never run your Slayer indoors. 
Since the TRX 3.3 Racing 
Engine exhaust fumes are 
harmful, always run your 
model outdoors, in a well-
ventilated area.

Your TRX 3.3 Racing Engine 
doesn’t usually require priming. 
If you do need to prime your 
engine, watch the fuel line 
carefully to avoid flooding 
your engine. See page 39 for 
information on clearing a 
flooded engine.

Factory Needle Settings:

Your carburetor is preset at 
the factory to give the correct 
air-to-fuel ratio and idle speed 
for engine break-in. Do not 
adjust the carburetor unless 
you observe a poor running 
condition that requires 
correction (see page 23 for 
stock settings).

Higher nitro requires a richer 
fuel mixture. When running 
33% fuel, richen your high 
speed needle 3/4 turn if 
previously running 20% nitro 
and then re-tune the engine 
for maximum performance. See 
page 20 for more information. 

The TRX 3.3 Racing Engine

Summary of Contents for Slayer Pro 4WD 5908

Page 1: ...owners manual MODEL 5908...

Page 2: ...Engine has a special break in procedure that has been developed and proven to produce the best performing engine possible Using traditional or old fashioned procedures could reduce engine performance...

Page 3: ...at Traxxas com You may also e mail customer support with your question at support Traxxas com Join thousands of registered members in our online community at Traxxas com Traxxas offers a full service...

Page 4: ...ons are adhered to Important Points to Remember Slayer is very fast The Slayer is intended for experienced users with a high level of skill The TRX 3 3 Racing Engine is extremely powerful and may requ...

Page 5: ...stem batteries see Use the Right Batteries on page 11 TRAXXAS Glow plug wrench 1 5mm L wrench 2 0mm T wrench 2 5mm T wrench 8mm slipper clutch wrench Shock wrench Turnbuckle wrench Suspension multi to...

Page 6: ...el Line EZ Start Motor Bulkhead under chassis Body Mount Post Chassis Driveshaft Half Shaft On Off Switch Throttle Linkage to Throttle Brake Servo below filter Antenna Mount Access Plug for two speed...

Page 7: ...cedure for your TRX 3 3 5 Decal and Install the body See page 8 14 Break in your engine See page 26 You will need to use the body during break in so it s best to apply any additional decals before you...

Page 8: ...e tires without removing the wheels from the truck For clarity these instructions show the process with the wheels removed 1 Remove a wheel from Slayer using the larger 8mm end of the glow plug univer...

Page 9: ...ell battery holder The charging jack is for optional rechargeable 5 cell nickel metal hydride NiMH batteries only See page 11 for more details Slayer has a provision for a built in charging jack so yo...

Page 10: ...longer the battery will last between recharges Neutral position The standing position that the servos seek when the transmitter controls are at the neutral setting NiCad Abbreviation for nickel cadmi...

Page 11: ...Hydride batteries in your transmitter Make sure rechargeable batteries are fully charged according to the manufacturer s instructions If you use rechargeable batteries in your transmitter be aware tha...

Page 12: ...mp nut over the antenna tube and screw it onto the antenna post Use the supplied tool to tighten the crimp nut on the post just until the antenna tube is securely in place Do not over tighten Antenna...

Page 13: ...the engine idle speed Make the idle speed adjustment on the carburetor Electronic Steering Trim The electronic steering trim located on the face of the transmitter adjusts the neutral center point of...

Page 14: ...ng out of control Always have the transmitter and receiver turned on before you start the engine Never turn the radio system off while the engine is running The on off switch in the model only turns t...

Page 15: ...the transmitter and check for rapid operation of the throttle servo When the throttle trigger is pulled back the carburetor should open slide moves out When the throttle trigger is pushed all the way...

Page 16: ...remature engine wear and failure is lack of care and maintenance BREAK IN The TRX 3 3 Racing Engine is manufactured to exacting tolerances and requires a specially designed break in procedure to accom...

Page 17: ...Carburetor Air Intake Fuel Intake High Speed Needle Idle Speed Screw Clutch Bell Crankcase Two Stage Air Filter Glow Plug EZ Start Plug Positive Wire Negative Wire Fuel Line Fuel Tank Tuned Pipe Heade...

Page 18: ...s body that contains all of the running mechanical components Crankshaft The main shaft of the engine that holds the reciprocating assembly Cooling fins The cooling fins are milled into the cylinder h...

Page 19: ...the first level of air filtration for the engine The majority of dirt and debris will be stopped by this filter Clean re oil and replace this filter after every hour of run time Always use both the pr...

Page 20: ...r factors determine how much nitro can be efficiently used in the engine The TRX 3 3 Racing Engine responds exceptionally well to a maximum of 33 nitro returning cooler temps more power and a smoother...

Page 21: ...t pull straight up 2 Remove the pre filter element 3 Clean the pre filter element by thoroughly washing the foam element in hot soapy water dishwashing detergent works well Repeat twice 4 Thoroughly d...

Page 22: ...carburetor to mix with the available air atomization The Fuel Mixture Needles The amount of fuel metered and atomized by the carburetor is controlled by the two mixture needles the high speed needle a...

Page 23: ...ngine running to assess what minor adjustments may be required to compensate for fuel temperature and altitude Adjustments are usually made in 1 8 or 1 16 turn increments If the engine sticks at TDC s...

Page 24: ...A 2 Plug a fully charged 7 2 volt battery pack into the connector inside B 3 Twist the battery two or three times to twirl the battery plug wires This helps hold the wire and battery in place when the...

Page 25: ...engine sticks at TDC see page 39 for instructions on freeing the engine Shutting Off The Engine Turning off the switch for the radio will not shut off the engine To shut off the engine use the shut of...

Page 26: ...to plug failure Change or clean your air filter after break in Follow the instructions exactly for each of the first 5 tanks of fuel Starting Your TRX 3 3 Racing Engine for the First Time Before you s...

Page 27: ...When the fuel tank is nearly empty shut off the engine and refuel From here on you do not need to let the engine cool between tanks Tank 4 1 Driving procedure Gently pull the throttle trigger to full...

Page 28: ...ool down If the water takes a long time or does not evaporate at all then the engine is too cool We do not recommend that you operate your engine below 35 degrees Fahrenheit If you insist on running y...

Page 29: ...terclockwise and retest This setting will extend engine component life Low Speed Fuel Mixture Adjustment The low speed mixture is always set after the high speed needle is correctly adjusted The low s...

Page 30: ...ence on engine temperature is air temperature Expect the engine temperature to vary almost in direct proportion to air temperature Assuming you tuned the engine for the same maximum performance each d...

Page 31: ...anything with your Slayer The engine is cooled by airflow created by speed Towing creates a high load on the engine and at the same time limits cooling of the engine due to low vehicle speed If your...

Page 32: ...n control brake dive and provide a firmer more responsive overall feel If Slayer is lightened significantly for racing applications softer springs will be necessary to allow the suspension to sag prop...

Page 33: ...equire lower viscosity oil From the factory the shocks are filled with SAE 40W silicone oil Only use 100 silicone oil in the shock For shock piston tuning see Advanced Tuning Adjustments on page 42 Re...

Page 34: ...mber angle at the wheel when the vehicle is set at its normal stationary ride height The suspension pivot balls located in the axle carriers adjust the static camber The pivot balls are protected by b...

Page 35: ...be tightened to the point that clutch slippage is completely eliminated Do not overtighten the slipper nut or you could damage the slipper bearings pressure plates or other components Adjusting the Tw...

Page 36: ...e steering Adjusting The Steering System 1 Remove the servo horn and steering link from the servo Disconnect the steering link from the servo saver 2 Adjust the steering link to be 31 7mm use Steering...

Page 37: ...brake linkage spring should barely touch the rod guide when the servo is in neutral position closed throttle This will ensure no brake drag during operation of the vehicle The brake adjustment knob ca...

Page 38: ...ton and sleeve should be replaced when they no longer seal effectively loss of compression Symptoms include the engine being difficult to start when warm stalling when warm and stalling when throttle...

Page 39: ...er and reinstall the glow plug and gasket 6 Reconnect the blue glow plug wire to the glow plug 7 Reconnect the EZ Start controller 8 Do not prime the engine Pull the throttle to 1 2 throttle and push...

Page 40: ...e to one end of the vehicle will tend to add traction to the opposite end For example increasing roll resistance in the rear by installing the upper arms in the lower holes will provide more traction...

Page 41: ...as the suspension is compressed Bump Steer Elimination Chart The illustrations and the following table detail the position of the outer toe link end for various caster and roll center settings to eli...

Page 42: ...in oil to release the air bubbles Let the shock sit for a few minutes to allow any remaining air bubbles to surface 10 Slowly thread the upper cap with the installed shock bladder onto the shock body...

Page 43: ...the vehicle more likely to overturn From the factory both the differentials are filled with SAE 30 000W viscosity silicone oil Only use silicone oil in the differentials Traxxas sells SAE 10 000W and...

Page 44: ...080812 KC1151 1100 Klein Road Plano Texas 75074 1 888 TRAXXAS owners manual MODEL 5908...

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