Nitro RC Cars & Trucks
Choose nitro RC cars for realistic operation and sound.
One of the many choices you have when buying a remote control car or truck from Horizon Hobby is whether to get one that’s powered by an electric motor or a nitro fuel-burning engine. Nitro RC cars once had the undeniable edge in speed. Now, advances in brushless electric technology have made electric radio control cars equal to nitro models in performance. But for sheer realism, most RC hobby enthusiasts agree that nothing beats a nitro RC car.
The small internal combustion engines used in nitro radio control vehicles run on a special glow fuel that blends nitromethane and methanol with oil for lubrication. A glow plug, comparable to a full-size car’s spark plugs, ignites the nitro fuel to drive the engine’s piston.
Due to restrictions enforced by the main sanctioning bodies for RC racing, the engine displacements usually found in nitro remote control cars range between .12 and .35 cubic inch (2 to 5.7 cc). A 1/10 scale on-road or off-road nitro RC car typically has a .12 to .18 cubic inch engine. A 1/8 scale nitro vehicle, such as the Losi 8IGHT-T 4WD Nitro Truggy RTR, is usually powered by a .21 to .32 cubic inch engine.
Nitro power has several advantages over electric power.
Compared to electric RC cars, nitro-powered RC cars and trucks operate much more like most full-size automobiles. The realistic sound of a nitro engine is music to the ears of nitro RC racing enthusiasts. It’s also loud enough that not everyone else is a fan. So before enjoying the roar of your remote controlled nitro car, be sure to find out if there are any noise regulations in the area.
Another advantage to nitro RC cars is longer uninterrupted run times. When they run out of fuel, you can fill up the tank and be back on the track in a matter of seconds. Replacing a discharged battery in an electric RC car requires a bit more time and effort, from removing and reinstalling the body to releasing and reattaching the battery fasteners. Running temperatures are also a factor. All radio control vehicles build up heat when running, but the oil in nitro fuel helps to dissipate heat so fewer breaks for cooling are necessary.
Because nitro RC cars can run continuously for longer periods, you should expect more mechanical wear than with electric motor powered RC vehicles. Also, the unburned oil in nitro exhaust usually ends up coating the chassis. As a result, the tradeoff for a nitro RC car’s increased realism and run time is the need for additional routine maintenance.
Nitro RC cars need proper care and maintenance.
Before buying remote control cars with nitro engines, take some time to get familiar with the required maintenance routines. Learn how everything works, especially the nitro engine.
A nitro RC car engine needs the correct mixture of fuel and air to work properly. The fuel/air mix is controlled by the carburetor, and you must know how to adjust its settings to enjoy the best performance. Don’t forget to inspect the air filter in your nitro RC car after every run and to replace it often. A clogged air filter will reduce throttle response, lower efficiency, and increase the amount of smoke.
Be sure to pick the right glow fuel for your nitro car engine. Nitro-powered RC cars and airplanes use different fuel to oil ratios. Check the car or engine manufacturer’s instructions regarding what fuel is best. The engines included with ready-to-run nitro vehicles usually require a 16% nitro fuel blend. Those in 1/8 scale nitro RC cars might have a 20-25% recommended ratio. You can always use a nitro fuel with a lower than recommended ratio, but a higher than recommended ratio could damage the engine.
Oil is heavier than methanol and will sink to the bottom of the can when your nitro fuel is stored. Shake the can before refueling your nitro RC car. Remember to reseal the fuel can tightly and store it in a cool, dark place out of the reach of children.
As mentioned earlier, you should expect more mechanical wear with nitro RC cars than with electric models. The transmission bearings in particular wear more quickly and should be inspected as part of your maintenance routine. The glow plug is another part of nitro radio control vehicles that will need to be replaced regularly. Always have a spare glow plug with you when you race. If your nitro RC car’s engine doesn’t start, step one is to check for a bad glow plug.
Should a first-time hobbyist choose a nitro RC car?
If you’re a newcomer to the radio control car hobby, you might be wondering if a nitro RC car is really the best place to start. The amount of maintenance needed to keep an RC nitro vehicle working properly does outweigh the advantages for some first-time drivers. Today, RC car manufacturers offer so many electric-powered RTRs for beginners that your options narrow considerably if you insist on starting with a nitro vehicle.
That said, the longer you stay in the RC car hobby, the more likely it is that you’ll eventually want to own a nitro RC car. The thrill that nitro power’s realism adds to the action is impossible to resist.
Most of the nitro RC vehicles available from Horizon Hobby are best for people who already have some remote control car hobby experience. You’ll find a selection of large, 1/8 scale nitro RC cars, most in kit form, from manufacturers that specialize in products for serious racers like Team Losi Racing. The Tekno RC NB48 2.1 4WD competition nitro buggy kit is one example.
On the other hand, with its lower price and ready-to-run completion level, the 1/8 scale Losi 8IGHT 4WD RTR nitro buggy is a good place to join the nitro RC car hobby if you intend to race competitively one day. Based on a ROAR winning Losi platform, it has everything you need to be a nitro contender right out of the box.
Choose nitro RC cars for realistic operation and sound.
One of the many choices you have when buying a remote control car or truck from Horizon Hobby is whether to get one that’s powered by an electric motor or a nitro fuel-burning engine. Nitro RC cars once had the undeniable edge in speed. Now, advances in brushless electric technology have made electric radio control cars equal to nitro models in performance. But for sheer realism, most RC hobby enthusiasts agree that nothing beats a nitro RC car.
The small internal combustion engines used in nitro radio control vehicles run on a special glow fuel that blends nitromethane and methanol with oil for lubrication. A glow plug, comparable to a full-size car’s spark plugs, ignites the nitro fuel to drive the engine’s piston.
Due to restrictions enforced by the main sanctioning bodies for RC racing, the engine displacements usually found in nitro remote control cars range between .12 and .35 cubic inch (2 to 5.7 cc). A 1/10 scale on-road or off-road nitro RC car typically has a .12 to .18 cubic inch engine. A 1/8 scale nitro vehicle, such as the Losi 8IGHT-T 4WD Nitro Truggy RTR, is usually powered by a .21 to .32 cubic inch engine.
Nitro power has several advantages over electric power.
Compared to electric RC cars, nitro-powered RC cars and trucks operate much more like most full-size automobiles. The realistic sound of a nitro engine is music to the ears of nitro RC racing enthusiasts. It’s also loud enough that not everyone else is a fan. So before enjoying the roar of your remote controlled nitro car, be sure to find out if there are any noise regulations in the area.
Another advantage to nitro RC cars is longer uninterrupted run times. When they run out of fuel, you can fill up the tank and be back on the track in a matter of seconds. Replacing a discharged battery in an electric RC car requires a bit more time and effort, from removing and reinstalling the body to releasing and reattaching the battery fasteners. Running temperatures are also a factor. All radio control vehicles build up heat when running, but the oil in nitro fuel helps to dissipate heat so fewer breaks for cooling are necessary.
Because nitro RC cars can run continuously for longer periods, you should expect more mechanical wear than with electric motor powered RC vehicles. Also, the unburned oil in nitro exhaust usually ends up coating the chassis. As a result, the tradeoff for a nitro RC car’s increased realism and run time is the need for additional routine maintenance.
Nitro RC cars need proper care and maintenance.
Before buying remote control cars with nitro engines, take some time to get familiar with the required maintenance routines. Learn how everything works, especially the nitro engine.
A nitro RC car engine needs the correct mixture of fuel and air to work properly. The fuel/air mix is controlled by the carburetor, and you must know how to adjust its settings to enjoy the best performance. Don’t forget to inspect the air filter in your nitro RC car after every run and to replace it often. A clogged air filter will reduce throttle response, lower efficiency, and increase the amount of smoke.
Be sure to pick the right glow fuel for your nitro car engine. Nitro-powered RC cars and airplanes use different fuel to oil ratios. Check the car or engine manufacturer’s instructions regarding what fuel is best. The engines included with ready-to-run nitro vehicles usually require a 16% nitro fuel blend. Those in 1/8 scale nitro RC cars might have a 20-25% recommended ratio. You can always use a nitro fuel with a lower than recommended ratio, but a higher than recommended ratio could damage the engine.
Oil is heavier than methanol and will sink to the bottom of the can when your nitro fuel is stored. Shake the can before refueling your nitro RC car. Remember to reseal the fuel can tightly and store it in a cool, dark place out of the reach of children.
As mentioned earlier, you should expect more mechanical wear with nitro RC cars than with electric models. The transmission bearings in particular wear more quickly and should be inspected as part of your maintenance routine. The glow plug is another part of nitro radio control vehicles that will need to be replaced regularly. Always have a spare glow plug with you when you race. If your nitro RC car’s engine doesn’t start, step one is to check for a bad glow plug.
Should a first-time hobbyist choose a nitro RC car?
If you’re a newcomer to the radio control car hobby, you might be wondering if a nitro RC car is really the best place to start. The amount of maintenance needed to keep an RC nitro vehicle working properly does outweigh the advantages for some first-time drivers. Today, RC car manufacturers offer so many electric-powered RTRs for beginners that your options narrow considerably if you insist on starting with a nitro vehicle.
That said, the longer you stay in the RC car hobby, the more likely it is that you’ll eventually want to own a nitro RC car. The thrill that nitro power’s realism adds to the action is impossible to resist.
Most of the nitro RC vehicles available from Horizon Hobby are best for people who already have some remote control car hobby experience. You’ll find a selection of large, 1/8 scale nitro RC cars, most in kit form, from manufacturers that specialize in products for serious racers like Team Losi Racing. The Tekno RC NB48 2.1 4WD competition nitro buggy kit is one example.
On the other hand, with its lower price and ready-to-run completion level, the 1/8 scale Losi 8IGHT 4WD RTR nitro buggy is a good place to join the nitro RC car hobby if you intend to race competitively one day. Based on a ROAR winning Losi platform, it has everything you need to be a nitro contender right out of the box.
