Basic Tuning Adjustments; Suspension Tuning - Traxxas Slayer Pro 4WD 5908 Owner's Manual

32 • Slayer

Basic Tuning Adjustments

This tuning and setup guide is separated into two sections- Basic
and Advanced. Slayer does not require any specialized knowledge or
understanding of its unique suspension and drive train to perform
typical, everyday setup and track tuning adjustments. Adjustment
procedures for alignment, spring rate, damping, steering, and ride
height are covered in the basic tuning section. Adjustments for the
gear ratio, two-speed shift point, slipper clutch, and brake are also
covered. In most cases, the basic information is all that is needed to
tune Slayer to perform well on a variety of surfaces.
Slayer was engineered to provide sophisticated additional tuning
options well beyond the basics that allow expert users to extract the
maximum performance from the truck. The advanced tuning section
(beginning on page 40) covers topics such as optional suspension
rockers, roll center adjustment, caster adjustment, bump steer tuning,
differential setup, and fine tuning the two-speed gear ratios. Make
sure you fully understand the basic adjustments before experimenting
with the advanced adjustments. Improper combinations of
adjustments can adversely affect the performance of the truck,
resulting in poor handling. If you don't know why you are changing an
adjustment then you should leave it at its factory setting.

SUSPEnSIon TUnInG

Springs
The front and rear
springs on Slayer have
different spring rates.
The rear springs are
about 12% stiffer than
the front springs. The
spring's pre-load tension
can be adjusted by
turning the spring pre-
load adjuster. Adjusting
the pre-load changes the
suspension sag and ride
height. Suspension sag
basically defines how
much the suspension compresses when the truck is at rest. Adjust
the pre-load so that the suspension compresses about one third of its
full suspension travel (see illustration). If suspension sag is severe and
requires a large increase of the spring pre-load to compensate, then a
firmer spring should be used.
Use a stiffer spring to reduce sag, reduce body lean, 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 properly. Heavier
configurations will require stiffer springs. The suspension sag
and spring pre-load should be readjusted anytime the springs are
removed and/or replaced.
Optional springs available from Traxxas are listed below. Refer to your
parts list for a complete part number listing. Higher rate springs are
stiffer. Springs can be identified by dots of color on one end.
Spring Color Stripe Color Spring Rate
White Yellow 0.7 N/mm (4.0 lb/in)
White Orange 0.9 N/mm (5.1 lb/in)
White Tan 1.0 N/mm (5.7 lb/in)
White Green 1.1 N/mm (6.3 lb/in)
White Silver 1.2 N/mm (6.8 lb/in)
White Gold 1.3 N/mm (7.4 lb/in)
Red Double Pink 1.4 N/mm (8.0 lb/in) (Standard Front)
Double Blue
Red 1.6 N/mm (9.1 lb/in) (Standard Rear)
Double Green
Red 1.8 N/mm (10.3 lb/in)
Double Black
Red 2.0 N/mm (11.4 lb/in)
Double Purple
Red 2.3 N/mm (13.1 lb/in)
Yellow
Red 2.6 N/mm (14.8 lb/in)
White
Red 2.9 N/mm (16.6 lb/in)
Red Orange 3.2 N/mm (18.3 lb/in)
Ride Height Adjustment
The rocker arm suspension uses push rods on each suspension arm.
Changing the length and/or position of the push rod adjusts the
ride height without affecting or compromising other suspension
parameters. For example, you can raise the ride height of the rear
suspension without changing up/down travel distribution, changing
springs, or affecting your progressive rate. Increasing the rear ride
height will increase ground clearance for rough terrain. The rear ride
height of the model can be changed by mounting the push rod in
the inner hole in the lower rear suspension arm. From the factory,
the rear push rod comes installed in the outer hole of the lower rear
suspension arm's push rod mount. If the push rod is mounted in the
inner hole, the ride height of the vehicle increases. The ride height
can be tuned by adjusting the sag of the suspension. If suspension
sag is severe and requires a large increase of the spring pre-load to
compensate, then a firmer spring should be used.