| If you're a fan of radio-controlled vehicles, | | | | that you have no need of batteries. In |
| but find standard RC to be lacking in power | | | | addition to the battery that powers the radio |
| and running time, you might want to consider | | | | controller, you might find yourself in need |
| looking into gas powered RC cars. These cars, | | | | of batteries to supply power to the radio |
| which run on a nitromethane-based fuel that | | | | receiver in the car itself. Of course, with |
| is often referred to as "glow fuel" or | | | | some receivers it may be possible to have the |
| "nitro", offer a level of realism and | | | | power supplied by the motor of the car |
| performance that you just won't find on | | | | itself. The type of receiver that you use and |
| battery powered cars. Gas powered RC cars | | | | the power supply that it needs are one |
| are also often highly customizable, allowing | | | | consideration to keep in mind when comparing |
| hobbyists to utilize a variety of engines and | | | | different parts or different cars. |
| design types... there are even different | | | | |
| types of transmitters available depending | | | | Sport vs. Competition |
| upon how you would prefer your car to work. | | | | |
| Below are some of the options available for | | | | A variety of different options and body |
| gas powered RC cars, giving you an idea of | | | | styles exist for gas powered RC cars. You can |
| the level of customization that you can | | | | choose from trucks, sedans, buggies, popular |
| achieve. | | | | car models, and even stock cars. Once you've |
| | | | decided upon the body style and layout that's |
| Engines | | | | right for you, however, you may find yourself |
| | | | facing one additional choice. Many of the |
| Obviously, one of the more important aspects | | | | car models available commercially come in two |
| of gas powered RC cars is the engine. A | | | | distinct types; a sport version, and a |
| variety of different engine models are | | | | competition version. Sport cars tend to cost |
| available for you to choose from, but in | | | | less, and offer basic options that are |
| general most cars of this type will have what | | | | popular with beginners and casual hobbyists. |
| are commonly referred to as "glow" engines. | | | | For those who want to race their cars against |
| A "glow" engine is a 2-cycle internal | | | | other dedicated hobbyists, though, there are |
| combustion engine, creating the power that | | | | the competition cars which tend to have more |
| gas powered RC cars are known for and adding | | | | power and higher speeds and offer advanced |
| a bit of realism to the car with the exhaust | | | | options such as oil shocks and ball bearings. |
| that is produced. Instead of the spark plugs | | | | Competition models may not be a complete |
| that a full-size automotive engine would | | | | car, however, since they are designed to |
| have, these engines use a "glow plug" that is | | | | allow for more customization... many of these |
| heated by what is known as a "glow starter" | | | | kits require you to get the engine that you |
| This heat is then held by the plug and is | | | | want to go with it separately, as well as the |
| used to fire the engine strokes for the | | | | car body in many cases (since the kit only |
| remainder of the running time. | | | | provides the main chassis.) |
| | | | |
| Fuel | | | | Kits vs. RTR |
| | | | |
| As mentioned above, the "gas" used by gas | | | | If you've decided that you want to buy gas |
| powered RC cars isn't actually gasoline... | | | | powered RC cars, you often have to make a |
| it's a special fuel that is | | | | choice between buying a kit, so that you can |
| nitromethane-based and formulated for the | | | | build the car yourself, or buying a |
| cars' engines. Special lubricants are added | | | | ready-to-race car (also known as RTR) that is |
| to the fuel mixture to protect the engine | | | | ready to be fueled and go right out of the |
| from excessive heat and wear; the lubricants | | | | box. RTR cars are good for beginners or |
| work in much the same way as gas-oil mixtures | | | | casual hobbyists, but aren't highly |
| in some chainsaws and other small-engine | | | | customized. Kits, on the other hand, may |
| equipment. Other fuel accessories may be | | | | require additional work but allow the builder |
| needed to go with your car. A pump or special | | | | to decide exactly how they want their car put |
| bottle may be used to get the fuel into the | | | | together. Should you use a kit, it's |
| RC car's fuel tank, and filters in the fuel | | | | important to remember that you'll need to |
| line may need to be replaced from time to | | | | make sure that you have the engine that you |
| time. | | | | want, paint and basic tools on hand for |
| | | | assembly and decoration, and additional tools |
| Radio | | | | and parts depending upon the kit that you |
| | | | purchase. |
| The radio that you use to control your gas | | | | |
| powered RC cars can be the same type that is | | | | Regardless of the type of car that you buy, |
| used to control an electric model of RC car. | | | | though, you're certain to find yourself |
| A 2-channel radio system. It's important to | | | | amazed at the power and performance of these |
| keep in mind that just because the car's | | | | cars loved by hobbyists and racers around the |
| engine runs on a liquid fuel doesn't mean | | | | world. |