RC Cars And Trucks

The ability to fine tune the performance of the nitro powered radio controlled car or truck is one of the best parts of the hobby, and many hobbyists love to tinker with their vehicles until they are running perfectly. The ability to get the engine tuned up and ready to go makes it a lot easier to maintain the vehicle and keep it in top running condition race after race.

For those new to the world of nitro powered radio controlled cars and trucks, it is best to tune the engine by following the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the vehicle. These instructions should be included in the box, and they will usually provide instructions for the break in period required to get the vehicle set up. During the break in period it will generally be required to set the carburetor needles to allow more fuel to reach the engine, and this will help keep the engine running cooler than it would in a racing situation. If you by an RTR (ready to run) kit, the default engine tuning should be sufficient.

There are a number of different break-in methods that are used to get a nitro powered radio controlled vehicle up and running, but the most common method is running the engine with the car sitting up off the ground. The car is run at the rich carburetor setting for a tank or two of fuel. After that initial break-in, the vehicle is run on the ground at a low speed, gradually speeding the car up as it progresses through each tank. The high speed needle should be adjusted 1/8th of a turn at a time until the car or truck is running at near peak performance.

It is important to be sure that the engine remains in an acceptable range of temperature and to avoid overheating. It is also important to be sure you are seeing a good amount of blue smoke through the exhaust system; this will help you ensure you are not running too lean.

Tags: Nitro RC Cars