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Tuning the 3.3

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Wow I just thought a truck thats $500 dollars would run for awhile wish I knew this before I bought I would have went electric. I just got my Revo for Christmas and have already ran a gallon though it so by the end of Jan I will be at around 3 or 4 gallons so for $500 the truck lasts about a month :( bad investment for me I think. I have about 650 700 into with the temp gun fuel work bench I made in my garage to work on it. I guess if you don't run it much it would last but I use about 1/2 gallon a weekend just playing on my mom and dads property with it
 
If the engine was to go out you are not our the whole $500. You are only out the cost of a new piston and sleeve or at worst a new mill.

IMO you are not out anything. If you had fun with it until the mill went out then it was money well spent.
 
I guess you are right I think my problem is more of a lack of r/c know how ;(

How much is a new piston and sleeve? How do you tell if you need a new mill? I just am new to r/c and do nopt know alot have been reading though the post the last couple of weeks trying to learn and not ask stupid questions but feel like I keep asking them. Thanks for the help
 
R/C Newbie said:
wish I knew this before I bought I would have went electric.
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A lot of people that are new to this hobby think that electric is cheaper...think again! If you buy a nice, fast electric set up you could have almost bought two Revos....I know this from experience or just ask Sweetdiesel how much money he has in his truggy including batteries and chargers...scary!

A new piston and sleeve will cost $50.00 to $70.00 depending on where you buy it. I remember being new to all of this and it's not easy but try not to worry so much and concentrate more on having fun because thats what it's about.

R/C Newbie said:
trying to learn and not ask stupid questions but feel like I keep asking them. Thanks for the help
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It's ok to ask questions, even the stupid ones (within reason) you might get messed with a little but it's all in fun, keep up the good attitude and don't give up!
 
Thanks for the Reply S Max I feel some what better now :)

Also where would you buy a piston and sleeve?
 
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Hey R/C...I know how you feel. I am new to all of this as well. I have started to think of it like stock car racing...you need spares.....for everything.

You dont have to buy them all now....but you WILL need them.

The engine is the same way.....use your first one to learn....take care of it well so you are in the habit........but you will need spares.....eventually.....if for nothing else, to have one to run while you rebuild the other.

So as budget allows ....set aside some cash for your next spare.....an a arm...rocker....pushrod......engine...whatever.... you will need spares.

Did I mention, you will need spares....;)

So just learn with whats in front of you ....what you read here.....and what you find elsehwere.....and be educated the next time you need help...or need to give help.

anyway I ramble..

TalonOut
 
rc newbie I have read posts on another forum with people saying they were on there 7th tank and the engine was still running strong. I'm new to the whole nitro thing too. I'm praying that I can get 7 gallons out of my 3.3. I only ran the truck 1 tank after the break in. It was a blast. still havent tuned it either so it should get faster. Overall I'm very impressed with the truck.
 
How many hours does about 5-7 gallons equal out to. Shouldn't the engine last for a long time if you take care of it and don't drive the crap out of it?
 
R/C Newbie said:
oh ok didn't know if it had to come from like traxxas Thanks
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Traxxas is the only one that makes it but you don't have to buy it from them. Type "3.3 piston sleeve" in a Google search and you will have many places to choose from.
 
R/C Newbie said:
Thanks for the Reply S Max I feel some what better now :)

Also where would you buy a piston and sleeve?
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You can get a new piston/sleeve from buytraxxas.com

robmob said:
If the engine was to go out you are not our the whole $500. You are only out the cost of a new piston and sleeve or at worst a new mill.

IMO you are not out anything. If you had fun with it until the mill went out then it was money well spent.
Click to expand...

Sorry newbie, what a mill??
 
If the engin goes you can trade it in all4 parts
And get a new one 50% off
 
5-7 gallons on a single truck is a lot of fuel. Keep in mind, an engine that's in need of a new sleeve and piston will still function but with diminished compression, "pep", and may require frequent tuning to keep that diminished power constant.

I follow these engine saving steps:
-make sure cooling head is clean and free of ALL debris before each run,
-Don't pull a spark plug from a dirty car,
-clean your filter thoroughly after every hour of driving,
-use after run oil,
-store the truck with mill BDC,
-check your drive train for binding after every run, and
-check your gears often for uneven wear and chipped teeth, this could be a sign of poor engine alignment and increased stress on your mill.

sounds like a lot to do before, during, and after each session but start now and it will become second nature. If you're not racing, run the engine a little on the rich side. The difference in power and response for bashing will be negligible and help keep your temps down.

The more you learn about your truck the more fun you'll have.
 

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