Nitro RC Cars

Nitro RC cars are named for the special type of fuel that gives them and their motors such kick.  Though not the best choice for beginners, they are the choice if speed and power are what you want from your RC.  The great popularity of nitro RC cars and trucks is due not only to their speed, but is also because of the realism they offer—sights (smoke), sounds (tuned pipe) and smells (exhaust) just like the real thing!  Over the last several years, the quality of nitro RC’s has been greatly improved, making them safer and more reliable than in the past. 

There are four defining features of a nitro RC car:

• Special nitro fuel
• High horsepower nitro engine
• Tuned exhaust pipe
• Realistic, replaceable air filter

Two different power sources are required for a nitro RC car, starting with battery packs for the transmitter and receiver.  The car itself, as the name suggests, really does use gasoline as its fuel: an oil and gasoline mixture, much like a real car.  There are two kinds of nitro motors: the 2-stroke and the 4 stroke engine.  The more popular 2-stroke engine is similar to the kind of engine found inside motocross motorcycles, chain saws and weed whackers.  This type of engine has no separate oil reservoirs, so the oil that lubricates it is included in the fuel mixture.  Conversely, the less popular 4-stroke engine does have an oil reservoir and therefore depends less on a gasoline/oil fuel mixture for lubrication. When running or racing, the car’s fuel tank will need refilling every 5 to 10 minutes.

The engine seen most frequently in nitro RC cars today is a 23cc (cubic centimeter) displacement, 2-stroke engine.  Its popularity stems from the fact that it’s among the most powerful engines available for nitro RC cars, putting out approximately 2.5 HP from its 23cc displacement (23cc means that the engine has about 1.4 cubic inches of engine displacement).  This engine would be certainly powerful enough to impress you with its speed.

You’ll also need a starter for the engine, of which there are two types: a pull-start nitro engine (these use a process like your lawn mower to start) or a non-pull nitro engine (these fire up with a starter box).

The pull start nitro engines cost a little more, but you don't have to buy a starter box and it's less you have to carry around to run your vehicle. Just take it out, pull on the starter, and you're ready to go! Be sure to check your instructions to choose a starter that’s right for your car.

There’s nothing like the realistic roar and smoke of a nitro RC car or truck, which are fast and powerful enough to make for some exciting races.  Bear in mind however, that nitro cars and the engines that power them are very complex, and as such require frequent tuning and meticulous care—much more so than an electric RC.   Because of greater complexity, you will also find they tend to be more expensive, as well.  What this means to you as a driver is that you need to decide in advance what your budget is and just how experienced you are with engines and RC racing.

If you’re beginner but you still have your heart set on a nitro RC car, they can be purchased in ready to run versions that will get you in the race as soon as you open the box.  Although these still require the same ongoing attention and maintenance, you will be saved the initial trouble of building the car from scratch.

Ready to run nitro RC cars and nitro RC trucks are more expensive than the ones you build yourself, but they’re far easier if you’re still unsure about your mechanic ability.  Also, since even ready to run kits contain complete instructions on how they go together, you can rest assured you’ll be able repair, maintain and add on to your car for a long time to come.

The main attraction of nitro RC cars is their realism and their power—they’re fast, they roar and they smoke—just like real cars!  They can be tuned to reach speeds up to 60 mph and they can race as long as you keep filling the gas tank. Though not recommended for complete newcomers to RC racing, nitro RC’s are by far the most popular.