Saturday, September 6, 2008

How to Convert Your RC Car Into Drift Spec

Remote Control Drifting is taking off in a big way, in this article I show you step by step how to convert that old 1/10 touring car into a drifters dream machine. It's very simple and generally only takes a couple of hours, using this practical guide I'll have you sideways before you know it.

What exactly is drifting?

In a nut shell drifting is the art of changing the angle of attack of your car, while still maintaining full control, so in a typical drift driver X approaches the corner and turns in hard too early, this will bring the rear of the car around, Driver X will then turn back into the slide and keep the car going around the corner while maintaining as much angle and speed as possible, then he will over correct and throw the car into another slide right after the first one, with as little straight lining as possible.

Can a RC car Drift?

Yes, if you've ever been involved with RC racing, you know the level of setup that even the basic RC Cards come with, and drifting is no exception. While a stock standard RC car can drift out of the box, there are some basic setup and chassis modification that will help you get more angle, speed and chicks.

Where do I start?

The first thing you need is a RC car, I'll use two examples, both of which I've had personal experience with, the Tamiya TT01 and the Tamiya TA05. The first step to drifting is to break that traction, due to the power to weight ratio of RC Cars we need a little help, Drift Tires are all you need to get sideways, but there is a little more you can do if you want to compete. If you can't find RC Drift tires you can use insulation tape, be sure to wrap it in the same direction that the wheel will be turning, a good trick is to lay it down and roll you RC Car over it, this is the right way, Taped tires tend to work best on surfaces that already have a little to no traction, i.e. an underground parking lot, but they don't last long. Drift tires all have different tractions, more traction = bigger drifts, but this is useless if you need to compete on a tight track as the amount of torque used to break traction will also generate a lot of speed, in the end it's down to personal preference.

What next?

Okay so you taped your tires and played around a bit, not we need to get the car to be more predictable, all the standard racing setting apply, shocks, ride height and wheel angles are up to you, but if there is a must have it's the rear differential, you need to lock it, this is also know as a spool diff, basically it means that both wheels must turn at the same time. The result is a car that will break and regain traction on command, the drifts will also be much easier to control, more throttle = more angle, less throttle = less angle.

TT01

The Tamiya TT01 uses a planetary gear setup for the rear diff, which is easy to convert (and convert back should you change your mind later) the two most command ways to lock this diff are 1. Open the Diff and fill it with glue from a glue gun, or 2. Take a small piece of fuel tubing ,cut it open along it's length, and roll this around one of the planetary gears. Once done close the diff and check if it give the desired result before you put it back. The other option is to buy a hop-up spool diff.

TA05

The TA05 uses a ball diff at the back and the front, this is not as easy to modify, but it can be done. The way I modified mine was to use pop rivets. I opened the diff and removed the ball bearings and metal plates that the balls run along. I then drilled three small holes in the side, getting both halves of the diff. I then pop riveted them together and filed down the rivets. This worked, but be careful. 1. It's not reversible and if you make a mistake the diff will be destroyed. 2. It doesn't last long, eventually the forces that go through the diff will destroy this because it's been weakened by holes. A Spool diff is available for the TA05 and this is the preferred options.

What about the front diff?

Now that we have a solid platform we can experiment with slightly different setups to find the one that suites us best, this varies from car to car, but the principle is the same. I personally love using a front one-way diff, or a center one-way diff for more control. The downside is that using brakes at any time is the same as using you e-brake (hand-brake) in a real car, the tail will slide around in a 180, while this can be useful to initiate a drift and transition to a second drift from the first it's very easy to spin out, so most people prefer not to use the one-ways. Once again this is down to personal preference.

Why drifting is much better than racing.

Well I love both, but from the drifting side it takes a lot more skill and a lot less car, what I mean is that while racing takes skill, you can compensate with an awesome car, there is no way a TT01 will consistently win in a race against a carbon fibre racing machine. But with drifting you can, a TT01 can out perform any car out there, yes it will be difficult, but so much of drifting is down to driver skill that anything can happen. This being the case it's also possible to get into drifting with very little financial backing (unlike racing)

I hope this article has given you some idea's about drifting, please feel free to contact me if you have any suggestions or need any advice, advice is always free, like the rest of my site.

Gregory Alexander was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He spent most of his younger days traveling the world, but eventually settled back home. He first got interested in Remote Control several years ago, since then it has grown into an obsession, now a successful RC Racer and Drifter he shares his knowledge with the world. To read more tips and techniques like the ones in this article, please click here: Free RC Car Articles

Petrol RC Car Kits

Do I Buy an Electric Or Nitro RC Car Kits?

Electric RC Cars are usually more popular with beginners as they come ready to be charged up with their ni-cad battery and off the go. Overtime only minor repairs is usually the case with most electric RC Cars running up to 20 mins depending how long they are charged but some can run longer.

Nitro RC Cars are more likely need assembling and also to be serviced and repaired down the line, which is actually very enjoyable so an exciting part of this hobby. The engine will need a run in after being setup with mixtures altered to give optimum performance and temperature kept to a minimum. Nitro fuel is usually purchased from model shops with a tank full giving a minimum of 5 minutes run time but takes seconds to refill unlike an electric car which can take much longer to charge. After several tanks of nitro, cooling down for a few minutes maybe required with regular maintenance to keep these Petrol RC Cars in prime condition.

How Fast Do These Cars Go?

The best acceleration usually comes from an electric rc car even the ones built with rc car kits, and their top speed from 15 to 40mph, the 40 mph being competition cars built, configured and optimized by dedicated petrol RC cars long term hobbyists. Nitro RC Cars have a slower acceleration due to a centrifugal clutch but their top speed beats most electric cars with their own top speeds anything from 20-80mph.

On Road or Off Road Cars?

You may see people out and about playing with their Remote Control Petrol Cars. These are classed as on road or off road cars. On Road cars are designed for flat surfaces with low chassis and body shells with minimal suspension. As with the F1 racing cars, this means very good speed, handling and control. There are many types of tyres available for the different terrains. Off road RC Cars are designed more for grassy surfaces, dirt tracks, bumps and gravel. Not suited to on road surfaces because of their suspension, movement and tyres. A Rally car which you can find more and more now are a compromise between both so you do not need to look for a specific surface orientated car.

Overall if you have not seen what speed Nitro Cars and Petrol RC Cars can produce speed and powerwise then you will be pleasantly surprised. As well as these RC Car Kits you can also get many other models such as Remote Control Tanks, Remote control helicopters and planes as well as boats.

You can find more information on RC Car Kits at http://www.petrolrccars.co.uk/


Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Don't Blink: The Different Types of RC Race Cars


RC cars are made to have fun. However, there are some people who take their "fun" very seriously. These are the people who build serious RC race cars and actually pit their skills against each other. This is actually not a new trend. People have started racing model cars even in the early 1940's. However, the technology during that time was insufficient to properly control the models. These cars were control using a tether and thus, could only run around in circles. True RC race cars were introduced in the late 1960's. These RC race cars could be controlled from a separate unit and be raced around a track.

There are different classifications of RC race cars according to fuel use and terrain. This is because of the fact that different types of RC race cars may be called superior in different conditions. Here are some classifications:

According to power source:
1) Electric- Electric RC race cars are generally lighter than gas-powered models. They also have the advantage of having more torque. Another advantage to electric RC race cars is the fact that these models are generally more responsive to the controls. This means that a person using an electric RC car will be able to react faster to different conditions on the track. There is also the fact that electric RC cars are generally cleaner in terms of fuel and in terms of the accumulated dirt during races. This means that electric RC race cars are easier to maintain than gas-powered models.

One disadvantage to electric RC race cars is the fact that it can take a long time for people to recharge the batteries. There is also the issue of speed: although electric RC race cars accelerate faster, they generally reach lower top speeds than gas-powered models.

2) Nitro- Nitro RC race cars are powered with a miniature engine that uses a mixture of Nitromethane and lubricant as fuel. Nitro RC race cars are known to reach record-breaking top speeds -much faster than what electric models are capable of. They can also run for longer times and are easier to refuel, which means that they can be enjoyed longer.

The disadvantages to this type of RC car are rooted in the fact that combustion is the process that makes it work. Combustion produces smoke and a lot of noise, which means it can't be used indoors. It also produces a lot of dirt, which means that Nitro RC race cars generally require more effort to clean. A nitro RC race car also requires regular tuning and maintenance in order to remain in top form.

According to terrain:

1) On-road- Some types of RC race cars are used to compete in paved race tracks. These RC race cars are specially designed to achieve tops speeds and maintain them during races. The wheels of these RC race cars are often designed for maximum speed and minimum friction.
2) Off-road- These RC race cars are made to accelerate and maintain control even when the race track is not paved. These RC race cars are specially designed to grip the ground and maintain top speed. The key to off-road racing is high bottom end torque. This allows off-road RC race cars to dominate the competition when encountering tricky obstacles such as mounds.

RC Car Kit - Building Your Own

RC cars are the cars of all ages; it doesn't matter if you are eighty or sixteen, there is simply the kind of radio-controlled car that you would enjoy. If you know how to take fun with these vehicles, you certainly will cherish the endless excitement brought about by them.

If you are getting your first radio-controlled car, you might consider the three most important things:

Ready-to-run (RTR) car or a kit
The RTR cars are most ideal for the beginners and those who do not have the skills for assembling the car. These cars will let you automatically enjoy their features and start them running through electricity-powered batteries. RTR cars tend to be a little inexpensive than building the car.

On the other hand, the kit will let you do the assembly works. For the enthusiasts, this has more advantages, as it will allow you to maintain it easily. If there are alterations and repair jobs needed, you would find these yet another easy task as you know how the chassis, engine, and other parts were put together.

On-road or off-road
On-road cars are designed for such speed needed in a smooth, paved surface. Also, if you intend to get into the race competitions, these are clearly your option.

Off-road vehicles are those trucks and buggies that have the ability to negotiate rough terrains, jumps, and obstacle courses. Naturally, these are not intended for racing events.

Electric or nitro-powered car
Simpler and slower vehicles are the choices for the beginners. As mentioned, rechargeable batteries are used to power the cars. Though they are clean and quiet, one disadvantage is they do not exude realism for radio-controlled car racing.

Nitro- or gas-powered cars are those intended for racing and higher-level of performance and power. In the recent years, the quality of these cars has much improved in terms of performance, safety, reliability, and aesthetics.

Having all these factors answered, you are now ready for your visit to the store. If you prefer building your own car, you will have the kit.

After getting the kit, you will need your red tool box and make sure every necessary tool is included. Specifically, the things you would need are: screwdrivers, flat blade screwdrivers, pliers, slip-joint, hobby knife (no. 11 blades), flush cutter, and needle-nose varieties. Adding soap could be used as a dry lubricant for the tight parts.

RC car kits cost a few hundred dollars but if you want higher performance and power you may add another bit of expenses. You can elect to acquire few pieces of RC car accessories or necessary parts for the upgrade. You can also finish the car with your own design you have in mind. Accessories and add-on parts are offered through local stores or online stores and you can check out their availability through them

To avoid getting mistakes along the process, study well the owner's manual. Familiarizing with every step and process will make it easy for you to finish the job. Completion of the process will not finish in one sitting, so you better prepare yourself for this task. It would be wise to work in a clear, well-lit, and with an uncluttered area to avoid mistakes.

Get relevant information on how to start with your RC car kit

There are books, e-books, and other materials containing information and ideas about building cars from a kit that you can use for additional help. Accordingly, obtaining wisdom from experienced RC car racers would be very beneficial for you. Once you get all those things and information needed, you can build the fastest RC car in no time at all.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

How to Choose RC Car Parts

First of all, you should be informed that there are no available toy-grade RC car parts available today. The reason for this is the fact that toy-grade RC cars are pre-assembled and made to be enjoyed while they last. Although they are excellent for teaching the basics of vehicle control, they are not made to be tinkered with. Hobby-grade RC cars, however, may be tinkered with a lot. A lot of RC car parts are available in order to enable people to fully customize their driving experience.

Many people are confused as to the standards of choosing RC car parts. This is because of the fact that manufacturers today always claim that they have the best parts or the cheapest parts around. So how should a person choose RC car parts to use?

1) Compatibility- Some RC car brands or models can only be used with specific RC car parts. This may be because the company who made the RC cars is trying to corner their market, or maybe companies are just ensuring the high performance of their cars. Before you buy any brand of RC car parts, you should see if those parts are compatible with your RC kit. If you are just beginning in the hobby, you should strictly follow this rule in order to avoid damaging your car.

Advanced hobbyists sometimes disobey this rule and try to custom fit different RC car parts to make improvements on their vehicles. However, you should be careful when doing this and you should always make sure that you have the skills necessary to pull this off.

2) Price- Of course, you should realize by now that this hobby will cost you some cash. This means that you should definitely budget your money when you are selecting RC car parts to buy. One tip you can follow is to stick to a certain price range. You can then select the best RC car part that comes within the price range that you have in mind.

If you really want to buy something top-of-the-line, you should try and save your cash. Do not be impulsive when buying RC car parts. Remember that something better will always come along and that costs go down all the time.

However, if you really love RC car racing, then maybe you can sacrifice a bit in order to buy the RC car part you want.

3) Quality- As said before, many advanced users try to mix and match different RC car parts in order to improve the performance of their vehicles. This is because of the fact that different manufacturers have different specializations. Some companies may excel in making engines while others may have high quality chassis… etc. If you can, try to get RC car parts that will improve the performance of your car.

In this case, try not to be too restricted by your budget. Remember that if you buy cheap but low quality RC car parts, you might as well be throwing your money away. By buying high quality RC car parts, you will be able to make sure that you enjoy your investment for a long time.

These are just some of the tips you should follow when buying RC car parts. Remember that the final decision will always be yours. It is your money and your enjoyment on the line, so carefully choose the RC car part to buy.

The Advantages of RC Car Forums


The popularity of the World Wide Web spawned areas where individuals can list or join in discussions of whatever topics they wish. These are public message centers. Forums are vast source of information of any topic to inform, discuss, and inquire or anything in particular. In this case, we will take a look on typical remote controlled car forums.

You can see a lot of discussions about modding your favorite models to your content as there are endless sites that will cater to your needs. There will likely be topics which you can actively join or participate in any given time, suggest anything or simply post your own topics and share them all over the world.

The best thing on forums is convenience and a very nice support of the whole community of RC car lovers. You can even trade items to your hearts content. Considering the enormous people that are viewing your views and needs, the response can be as quick as minutes or just a few days, you can even get the information instantaneously as there will be a messaging system on the forum system so you can post your preferred Instant messaging system I.D. let help come directly to your desktop.

Radio controlled cars are categorized as toy or hobby grade. Toy grades are electricity powered while the hobby grade uses either fuel or electricity. Whatever your grades are, they are also supported in the forum to which u post your questions for the masses to find the best suitable answer. Mostly many people will likely have a clash of ideas resulting in debates and discussions ranging from shorts to numerous pages of information.

Let me review some of the most used topic headers or discussions in a typical forum for remote controlled cars. There will likely be a polling station which you can vote for anything that is related or usually not related to RC cars. Another one is more likely about the Electric types, On and Off-road types as well as Nitro boosted vehicles section. There will be also a part where you can post paint and detailing of your vehicle and the sorts. The threads will have the support for micro, mini cars, monster trucks.

What better reason to go to the forums is to see the ongoing projects of people that will inspire and motivate you in making your very own kits and parts upgrade. From there you can also see the best records, stats to date and the stories that come along with them.

Likely, there will be a tuning section of your desired models. Extensive help can be no problem as they are the culmination of mostly the best in the essence of the topic itself. There will be posts that will monitor the stats of every vehicle for comparison and reference purposes.

Whatever your RC car forum needs, there will likely be a nice junction of help and information as well as friends on the forums that you chose. The virtual niche can always have vast quality information, feel free to try one forum yourself, it wont hurt to see your opinions posted all over the world and share some ideas which can help the overall community of enthusiasts. There is always a nice feeling of belonging when people share ideas and get the best out of your set of wheels. Enjoy!

Stuffs to Think About: Two Types of RC Cars


Do you feel the need for speed? Do you find underground racing a bit too dangerous for your taste? Do you think that playing the latest racing game on your PC is just too boring for you? If this is the case, then you need to get into RC car racing. RC car racing is one of the fastest growing hobbies today. This is because it appeals to the kid within people while challenging them to hone their skills. If you think that RC car is just about getting the most expensive model out there, you are on the wrong track. Here are the basics of RC cars:

THE TWO CLASSIFICATIONS

There are two general classifications of RC cars according to the power source:

1) Electric- This RC car type is the most common type in the market today. This might be because of the fact that most toy companies make this type of RC car for children or beginner RC car enthusiasts. Some advantages of the electric RC car are:
  • Noiseless- This means that an electric-powered RC car can be used without causing a lot of disturbance (excluding, of course, the number of people who will unwittingly trip over your machine).This also mean that you can use it stealthily. Countless movies have featured the use of electric RC cars in recording conversations or taking hidden videos. Make your spy dreams come true!
  • Smokeless- Since this type of RC car makes use of electricity to power it, there is no smoke output when the engine is running. This is because no combustion happens within the engine of the RC car.
Disadvantages:
  1. Limited running time- An electric RC car runs on batteries. Because of this, the power it can use to run is limited to the capacity of the battery. A user who goes for this type of RC car has to cope with the delay of charging batteries or replacing them every time that they run out of power.
  2. Limited power- The power of electric RC cars is limited not only in terms of time, but also in terms of intensity. Put plainly, electric-powered RC cars just don't run as fast as gas powered models. If you are looking for speed, this is not the RC car for you.
2) Gas powered- There's one thing that needs to be said about gas powered RC cars: you cannot put gasoline in it. Gas powered RC cars make use of a special mixture of fuel in order to run.

Advantages:
  • Speed- Many people are opting for gas powered RC cars mainly because of the fact that they are much faster than electric RC cars.
  • Longevity- Gas powered RC cars can run for long times before they need to be refueled. This means that you get to use your RC car for a longer time. Thus, you get to have more fun.
Disadvantages:
  • Smoke- Since gas powered RC cars run because of combustion; it is natural that there would be smoke coming out of the car. This means that you won't be able to use your RC car indoors.
  • Noise- Gas powered RC cars make a lot of noise. This can either be a positive or a negative, depending on your attitude. For some people, the noise that this type of RC car can help them get attention from other people (Hey, some people do buy RC cars to get noticed).

Different Types of RC Car Bodies


The term "RC car body" usually refers to the shell or outer covering of the RC car. This gives the general appearance of the RC car. There are some things you should know about RC car bodies:

Two classifications - there are two general classifications of RC car bodies. These are based on how you get them:

a) Pre-built- This is the type of RC car body that comes with pre-assembled cars. This type of RC car body usually has a look that's more or less similar to other bodies that a company builds. It is often the case that people buy this type of RC car body in order to showcase the craftsmanship. Many pre-built RC car bodies are based on real cars. This means that you can buy almost any type of car you can dream of.

b) Customized- There are people who choose to shun the uniform look of pre-built RC car bodies and prefer instead to add their personal touches to its look. Customized RC car bodies are often made use of by long time enthusiasts who want to accomplish one of two objectives:

1) Aesthetical enhancement- People who want to make their RC cars look better than what's conventional often try to customize their own RC car bodies. There are many who succeed in this endeavor, but there are also a lot of people who just end up buying a new pre-built RC car body.

2) Performance enhancement- There are those who design RC car bodies to achieve the objective of enhancing a car's performance. Many people who customize RC car bodies often do so in order to improve the aerodynamics of their vehicle. This helps them speed up the RC car.

There are also certain recognizable types of RC car bodies available today:

1) Realistic- This, of course, refers to the various types of RC car bodies which are modeled after real cars. It is often the case that this RC car body type is based on a winner of a competition such as the World Rally Championships. It could also be based on "cool" cars such as the Hummer.

This RC car body type is often judged by its faithfulness to the original. It is also highly regarded for the craftsmanship. People who own this type of RC car body often make use of it in "on-road" races as it minimizes the potential for damage.

2) Monster Truck- This type of RC car body is made for one thing: bashing. It is often the case that people who have this type of RC car body make use of their RC cars to leap ramps, "off-road" races, and generally to have as much fun with their vehicles as possible. The monster truck RC car body is often made to be durable which means that it can survive most of the maneuvers that owners put it through. This is the undisputed king of RC car bodies.

3) Racing buggy- These are vehicles made to race. Whether it's off-road or on, it is definitely made for speed. This type of RC car body is made to conquer every type of terrain you put it in. It has a distinctive triangular shape meant to make this RC car body more aerodynamic as you use it to dominate every race.

Why People Love to Watch RC Car Videos


A lot of different videos can be found on the internet. Some can be silly. Other videos can be touching. Some videos can be eye-opening. There are videos which can be enraging to watch. There are videos that some people may find amazing. There are videos that some people may find fascinating. RC car videos may be among the last category. Why exactly do people find RC car videos so fascinating?

a) Bashing- Many people love watching RC car videos because these videos show them what can potentially happen to a car if it goes through various types of "experiments" and miniature disasters. Most people just enjoy watching RC car videos because they are able to see different miniature cars going through just about every type of abuse. While some people may just take pleasure at watching various RC cars getting bashed, others are impressed with just how durable certain RC cars are.

Some people just like to watch RC car videos because of the fact that they see a sort of metaphor in it. In RC car videos, they might see their ability to survive any type of obstacle in their lives.

b) Similar interests- Some people might watch RC car videos because of the fact that they are also interested in the hobby. Some people might want to get into the hobby and thus, watch RC car videos to help them get started. There are also those people who are already into the hobby but they wish to improve their skills in handling RC cars. These people may watch RC car videos in order to see if a certain maneuver is possible.

Other people may also like to watch RC car videos because they are looking for something new to try. These people often watch RC car videos in order to study new maneuvers and to try and hone their RC skills.

There are also people who study RC car videos of competitors. Yes, there are competitive RC car races held all over the world. A participant may study an RC car video of an adversary in order to prepare for a race. People often try to anticipate a person's moves in order to prepare defenses for anything that an adversary could try. By watching RC car videos, people can study different maneuvers in detail and learn how to counteract them.

c) Imitation of life- Many people watch RC car videos because they just want to see the different maneuvers that may not be possible with real cars. RC cars can do so much more than just run around a track. RC car videos feature different cars jumping ramps, insane aerial flips, gravity-defying stunts, and other types of maneuvers that people could only dream about doing with a real car and survive.

The reason that we love items such as RC cars is the fact that these give us an opportunity to actually reach the unreachable. It allows us to do the different types of stunts that we could only see on movies. And we are able to do all these without actually damaging anything expensive like an actual car.

People watch RC car videos for different reasons. If you ask a person why he or she likes to watch RC car videos, however, the answer you would likely get is this: "it is just so cool".

Car Motor- The Most Important Part of a RC Car


Today the kids and adults are alike in terms of their past time. Both are engaged in radio controlled cars. They purchase these cars at the toy stores. RC cars provide an endless amount of thrill and excitement and serve as their leisure.

Radio controlled cars are consist of two units which is the car itself and the radio controller. Some radio controlled cars are powered by rechargeable batteries and some were powered by batteries with actual gas-powered engines. Gas powered engines are more expensive than electric powered engines.

RC cars are of different types. There’s the off-road and on-road vehicles, touring and racing cars, trucks and buggies. Aside from this, you can also choose on the size, color, type of car like Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Porsches. You also have an option to choose from gas powered or electric engine and if it’s a car or truck type.

The four main parts of radio controlled vehicles are the motor(s), transmitter, receiver and the power source.

Transmitter is the radio controller that you hold in your hand and usually powered by battery. The radio frequency let’s the transmitter relays the steering and controls the command you give to the receiver. Its receiver has two parts, the antenna and a circuit board inside the car. It receives the radio frequencies sent by the transmitter and relayed to the appropriate part of the vehicle.

Radio controlled vehicles features different type of engines. The motor is said to be the heart of the cars and is the most complex part of assembling your own RC car.

The nitro powered radio controlled motors has a 2-stroke or the less conventional 4-stroke version. The most popular is the 2-stroke motor because of its amazing 2.5 hp of output it produces. RC racers love the high speed and acceleration of this 2-stroke motor.

The 2-stroke motor is the 23cc displacement engine and it requires a fuel oil mixture. It is more suitable in car racing and has the advantage of producing higher rpm’s. On the other hand, 4-stroke motor can run on straight fuel and has an oil reservoir on it. It is better for off-road use and has more power and torque. It is more applicable in a truck that runs on dirt or rough tracks.

The electric car runs quietly and is better suited in your neighborhood while the nitro powered motors lets you feel the real car on racetracks. Electric radio controlled cars and trucks uses rechargeable batteries to run or power the motor and steering, which is usually runs for about 5-10 minutes. In terms of speed, electric motor vehicles have a great deal of pickup though not as much as nitro powered motors.

At first, electric RC cars can be much less expensive than a nitro powered vehicle. But there are other costs like additional battery packs, battery charger and other accessory the will add to the cost. Still, it depends on the kind of car you purchase and the battery pack that it requires. Of course for a good performance, you will purchase the good battery packs and good charger to save replacing cheaper batteries.

The good thing in electric motors is it doesn’t need much maintenance and tuning of its engine compare to nitro powered motor. It is more suitable for beginners because it only needs proper conditioning and proper storage of battery packs that will keep your RC cars running smoothly for years.

In addition, the motors come with or without a pull start. Those with pull start are cheaper, but you still need a starter box.

Get into the Game! Race Your RC Car


The most exciting part of having RC car is by joining a car racing game. Kids and Adults enjoy playing RC car racing game on off-road or on-road tracks. But before you join the race there are steps you need to take to prepare for that competitive car game.

First, select for the best RC car racing tire wisely. Choose the tire that is matched to the surface that you will use in car racing game. Also choose the best type of motor, maintenance and size that you will use to win the game.

The touring and racing cars like Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches are the best and popular choices for on-road use. Your car must be run in smooth surface tracks for best performance. Conversely, trucks and buggies are not good in racing game because it is not as fast as the touring and racing cars. But they can be run anywhere and can even jump on hump tracks.

The on-road vehicles are the most popular type of radio controlled cars. It is the best choice if you want to hook up in car racing. It runs in paved surfaces, built-in smooth race tracks and even in streets with an amazing speed. On the other hand, off-road vehicles can run anywhere. These are the sturdy and truck type RC vehicles that can handle jumps, hills, and uneven terrain, even sand. Off-road vehicles come in two or four wheel drive and a variety of electric and nitro trucks and cars from which to choose.

The radio controlled car has two popular sizes - the 1/8 and 1/10 scale. The 1/10th scale is the standard size for the on-road users and is best in car racing game while the 1/8th scale is more popular for off-road use like trucks and buggies.

When it comes to motor, the best type to use is the nitro powered engine. It can produce higher rpm’s that is suitable for racing. It can run up to 70 mph which is the fastest speed in RC car racing game. The resulting high speed and acceleration is what the car racers want in this type of engine.

Two wheel drive car is less expensive and much easier to work on. But if you want a better handling and traction, pick the 4 wheel drive. This would make an ideal choice for car racing game.

Still, maintenance is the most important in having a RC car. It is a definite requirement especially when using nitro powered motor. Always maintain car parts such as Air filter, Clutch, Header, Differential and Pull start cord. Keep the parts and tools properly for long last use.

So now you already have the best radio controlled car for car racing game. You are now ready to face the challenge in RC car racing. Joining car racing game would not just give you excitement but also you’ll gain more friends and different ideas on how to keep your car running in its best performance. You will learn some tips from RC car enthusiasts by hanging out with them but be careful who you listen to because some of them might just fool you.

You can also see the latest radio controlled cars in action when you’re in tracks. The best combinations of RC cars are competing and you will see which the best of all. Goodluck!

What RC Car Accessory You Should Get for a Well-Maintained Car

One of the hottest hobbies on the road today, RC cars and trucks will let you experience the real world of road race tracks and events but no red lights and speed limits for you. You simply drive that RC car or truck of yours and decide on yourself how fast you can go.

You also got options to choose from. Just like the real automotive world, the radio controlled world of cars and trucks provide the same choices of futuristic concept cars, on-road and off-road cars, entry-level buggy, and monster trucks, and, nitro-powered cars, even mini-cars.

There are endless options for everyone and RC cars and trucks are for all personalities and ages. The choice is yours; it solely depends on your preference. On the other hand, if you need more information you can get advices from different fellow enthusiasts.

Again, just like with the “real” on-road and off-road vehicles, radio controlled ones require the same kind of maintenance and care from you. This is to ensure you keep your vehicle in top condition so to avoid failures.

Maintaining them would include everything from keeping them powered, whether through electricity or nitromethane-based fuel, to replacing parts and accessory. You also must have a certain stock of standard RC car/truck equipment for the maintenance.

In addition, there is a plethora of accessories that are available for you, which you can get for your RC car. If you want to keep your vehicle always aesthetically pleasing and aggressive, or want a higher level of experience on the road, RC car accessories will allow you to attain these.

Accordingly, the following top RC accessories are amongst the components that your car should not go without:

1. Starter boxes. Starting your new vehicle will include break-in of its new engine, which could be tough process at first. With the starter box, though, this is made easier by eliminating the need to pull-start the RC car. It gives the boost needed by the engine’s break-in; thus your car gets you going in no time.
2. Fuel. Of course, without the fuel, you won’t go anywhere with this car. There are specially formulated fuel kinds for RC cars, and you can get one, which is recommended by the owner’s manual provided.

And since, you will probably do the re-fueling job, you might as well include in your purchase a fuel filler bottle, which will fit your car’s need. There are several sizes available, with long, angled tips to allow for speedy process as well as to prevent spills.

In addition, a fuel cleaner and rags will be handy accessories in cases there are spills and drips.

3. Glow plugs. Instead of ending your fun in driving because of glow plug failures, with spare glow plugs you can change bad plugs along the course. In addition, a small kit stashed in your box will be best idea. This is usually included with the spare glow plugs, glow plug igniter, glow plug wrench, and charger.

4. RC tools. These are the specialized tools to keep your vehicle going. A standard RC tool kit usually includes: magnetic balancer, gear puller, temperature gauge, tool pouch, and glow plug wrench.

5. Air Filter Oil. Replacement of the air filter at an interval is a must. At this case, it will always be better if you got special air filter oil with you to improve the function of air filter and keep the life of the engine longer.

Getting Hooked with RC Cars

Radio controlled car or RC car is one of the most played toy car by kids and even teens. RC car lovers spend much of their time playing car racing with this radio controlled cars. It offers an endless amount of thrill and excitement of race and the speed of each type of car.

RC car consists of two units – the car and the remote control or radio. Radio control consists of two sets of joysticks. One is to control the backward and forward movement and the other is for side-to-side movements. Less expensive radio controllers are powered by a number of rechargeable batteries. The other type of radio controller is also powered by batteries but with actual gas-powered engines.

With the growing popularity of RC cars, manufacturers offer different kinds of models and types to fit with every buyer or user. Some makers offer RC cars for kids in low cost and some were modeled after the real-life counterpart such as Ferraris, Porsches and Lamborghinis.

There are different kinds of RC cars that you can select, from its body type, model, style, color or in any size. On the other hand, there are some distinctions you need to consider in choosing RC car.

First, you will choose between electric RC and gas powered cars. Then you’ll choose for road racing or off-road racing models. Also if it is assembled or non-assembled as you purchase it and lastly, if you want to have it a car type or a truck type.

Car racers usually choose the RC cars that run on nitro gasoline or the so-called Petrol RC cars. It is the most popular and the fastest growing piece of the RC cars. Using petrol vehicles, you now can purchase the popular RC trucks that can jump at high speed and go off the road driving. And if speed or velocity is more of your concern, acquire the race cars that are inevitable in prepared tracks or along pavements.

Typically, petrol RC cars operate fast unlike the electric cars. Some of the nitro cars run in 70 to 90 mph. This electric or gas powered RC cars run on a special fuel made just for radio controlled cars.

The most popular sizes of nitro RC cars are 1/8 and 1/10 scale. 1/8th scale is popular for off-road trucks and buggies while the 1/10th scale is the industry standard for on-road racers. The 1/8th scale come with a 2 or 3 speed transmission.

Most of the petrol RC cars or nitro cars have a pull engine that is similar to a lawnmower for easy operation. It is very important to follow instruction in running the nitro vehicles because it is more complicated than electric cars.

Nitro vehicles are available in the 2-stroke motor or the less conventional 4-stroke version. The 2-stroke motor requires a fuel oil mixture and the 4-stroke motor has a reservoir of oil and can run on straight fuel. The 2-stroke is more suitable in racing because it has the advantage of producing the higher rpm or the revs up faster. On the other hand, the 4-stroke engine is much better for off-road use because it has more power and torque.

It is necessary to regularly maintain and check your nitro vehicle for long last usage and also for better performance. Some loves on tuning and tweaking their cars. Always check the car parts such as header, pull start cord, differential, air filter and the clutch.

RC Cars Trigger the Racing Euphoria in the Air

The cheering of the crowd, the adrenaline rush of the players and the mounting excitement overwhelming the scene say it all. Indeed, when it comes to racing, RC cars are pretty fascinating!

RC cars, otherwise known as remote control or radio control cars, are gathering the smoke in the hobby racing arena. It grabs the spotlight like a newly launched rocket. As a fact, RC racing is swiftly attracting both the young and the old to savor the excitement and nerve-racking thrill brought about by RC cars.

If you are not yet hooked by this new racing phenomenon, brace yourself and discover the pleasure of this hobby. RC cars are famed at a hobby level. The hobby becomes more and more addicting. The sight of both men and women in various age groups racing RC cars is no longer novel to the eyes. Nowadays, RC racing is introduced to a higher level of racing involvement. With fine tuning and professional RC racers around, RC racing can be deemed to be more than just an ordinary hobby.

RC cars can be purchased unassembled in a kit, in a completely assembled, or in ready to run (rtr) condition. RC cars are now offered with a wide-variety of options. They come in different styles, colors, built, and features.

If you are planning to purchase RC cars, be sure that you are getting the best that you can have. Options include electric or gas powered RC cars, on-road and off-road models, assembled or unassembled, and car or truck models.

You may ask, which between gas powered and electric RC car is the best choice? Well, the most influential factor in choosing RC car is the source of power. There are pros and cons in possessing both models.

A nitro powered RC car, as its name implies, run on nitro gasoline. This type of RC car is the most popular in the arena. It is also the fastest growing segment in RC cars. Nitro RC vehicles boast their power and speed. They can actually jump at high speed and smoothly drive on the roads without staggering.

Generally, nitro powered RC cars run faster than their electric counterparts. In addition, there are some that can run as fast as 70 mph. Moreover, high-speed driving thrills you, a nitro powered RC car is the best for you.

Gas powered RC cars run on specially formulated fuel. Most of them employ a pull start engine that can be likened to a lawnmower. However, one drawback of this RC car type is that it can be complicated. You have to carefully follow the instructions to make it function well. Nonetheless, nitro cars are not good for beginners.

Electric RC cars, on the other hand, are user-friendly. They run on batteries. Most of these batteries are made rechargeable. They are easy to operate and care for. Electric RC cars are inexpensive. If your finances are precluding you from buying expensive RC cars, electric RC cars can be your most feasible solution. Indeed, electric RC cars are great for beginners in the RC car arena.

An electric RC car can serve as your first RC car. You can practice on it to perfect your driving skills without wasting hefty money. In fact, you can buy electric RC car for any budget. The drawback of this type is that it is slower compared to nitro powered car.

If you plan to purchase an electric RC car, be sure to slowly break in the motor. This is to done to extend the life of the motor and to attain its full potentials.

Getting You Started With Gas Powered RC Car Or Truck

There are many ways on how to start with gas-powered RC car or truck. There are many realistic features offered by these remote-controlled cars and trucks. They come in a variety of styles and types in the industry. In choosing one, there are many considerations you should take before eventually owning one.

Radio-controlled cars and trucks lack the power and running time. But if you want to consider, you can convert them into gas powered RC cars, with the use of nitromethane-based fuel. This fuel provides RC cars a level or realism or performance, which are absent on other battery-powered vehicles. Aside from this, they are also highly customizable making it possible for you to integrate RC car accessories and personalize them. There are options of engines and transmitters available to allow you to choose one depending on how you’d want the RC car works.

To help you begin in finding the right gas-powered RC car, the following are the factors you should consider:

  1. Engines. The most important aspect in a gas RC car, you can choose from the variety of engine models available to choose from. Generally, most RC cars use a specific type, which is commonly called as "glow" engine. It is a 2-cycle combustion engine, which creates power to the RC car preparing it for realism that also produces exhaust in the process. In replacement of spark plugs utilized by automotive engines, a "glow plug" is used for this engine. It is being heated in turn by a "glow starter." The heat will be held by the "glow plug" to which this is now used to fire engine strokes for rest of the running power.
  2. Fuel. Just like the actual gasoline used in automobiles, the nitromethane-based gas fuel the RC cars. The fuel mixture is formulated with special lubricants so that it protects the engine from the excessive heat produced by the combustion process. The lubricants are the same with the gas-oil you use with your small engine equipments or some chainsaws. Accessories such as a special bottle pump may be needed to get nitro-fuel into your fuel tank of the RC car. Filters are also used on these cars and the same with your automobile they require replacement at a proper time interval.
  3. Radio. Radio controller is used to control the RC car and could be same type used on electrically-powered RC cars. It is radio controller operates on 2-channel system that needs batteries to make it work. Additional batteries would be needed to power the receiver though there are other receivers that are fed from the motor itself.
  4. Sport or competition. This is an aspect you most considered when choosing body style. There are different options for you; you have choices from sedans, trucks, buggies, stock cars, and other popular car models. These are basically available in two versions: sports, and competition version. Sports RC cars typically cost less than the car you intend to race, which of course would need more power and higher speeds. Ball bearings and oil shocks are some of the advanced options included for the competition RC car version.

Depending on the type you need, RC car kits and ready-to-car or RTR kits are available. If you are a beginner, RTR kits are what you need as this comes out of the box ready for the fuel. RC car kit, on the other hand, requires heavy work but allows you to decide how they would be put together.

Monday, June 16, 2008

How Fast Your RC Car Can Go?

The best way to get started with RC cars is getting a simpler and slower vehicle. It may not be your dream RC car but it will prepare you to boost its speed and power. Getting help through other enthusiasts will make it easier for you to get going in the RC car world. There are accessories and tools available for RC cars that you can employ to tune it and prepare it for the tracks.

The Pre-built RC car
But before you can do that, the electric RC car may be for you. This is a popular choice for the starters in the RC car world. It is equipped with a rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride battery pack, which comes with a quick charger when the power runs out. A full-charged battery may typically bring your RC car running for hours. This already comes pre-assembled with typically a 2-channel RTR (ready-to-run), radio system. This is pre-assembled to fit needs of new modelers and/or backyard drivers.

When you are done with the electric-powered RC car and have finished learning with all the basics, you may start considering getting a gas RC car, powered by nitromethane-based fuel. If you prefer otherwise and you think you have improved your skills, you can instead upgrade your car's speed and operations. A new engine or hotter motor can be added. You can start getting rid of the bushings and replace them with ball bearings. There are many RC car accessories you will find most essential in upgrading your car so check out the store.

RC car kit
The RC car kit will be most ideal for you if you want more fun and consider yourself professional enough to the assembling job. A kit comes with all necessary parts, such as the body, engine, electronic or motor speed control, plus owner's manual for the instructions. In building your model, trimmings of excess material may be required from the clear Lexan plastic material of the body. With a special polycarbonate, you can paint the body with the color of your choice.

Along with the chassis that comes with the kit, you get some tools needed for the building of your model such as nut drivers, screwdrivers, pliers, and others. One edge of building a kit over a pre-built car is that it will make you understand how the machine works. This comes in handy when there are needs of tuning and during maintenance of the car.

Ready for the competition
Preparing your car for the competition would require lots of works. Sometimes, when getting a competition-version RC car does not include the engine as it is typically left to the hands of the driver the kind that he prefers. In other cases, the kit is sold with the chassis only so the rest of the parts would still be left at your judgment. Your work with the car should allow for a competition car that will have more aggressive power and higher speeds.

How fast you want your car would go depends on your work. If this were meant for the competition, you would not want it to be left behind the track so you better get all the necessary details and works done.

On the other hand, if you are a beginner you better not expect the best results. It is natural for beginners to get mistakes on the first scenarios of the competition. As you move along with the track, you will find yourself going better.

Mingling with the rest of the competitors would offer you tips and tricks with the works. For additional information, you can research everything you need to build the fastest RC car by visiting websites and reading books.

Some Facts about Electric RC Cars

Electric RC cars are the most popular types of RC cars today. This might be because of the fact that every RC car hobbyist begins with this type of vehicle. The operation of an electric RC car is simple enough to be understood even by children. This makes it ideal for the beginner RC car enthusiast.

Electric RC cars have a lot of advantages. These advantages are what make them appealing to the general public. RC cars, which started as toys, have now become accepted as hobby items for adults. Here are some advantages of electric RC cars:

1) Ease of use- as said before, electric RC cars are very simple machines to operate. This is the reason why many parents opt to buy these vehicles for their children during Christmas. Unlike Nitro RC cars which require some complicated procedures in order to ensure correct operation, electric RC cars only require you to put on the batteries and you're off!

This can be very important especially because of the fact that most people who buy electric RC cars are beginners in the hobby. It is often the fact that people who buy electric RC cars are buying their very first RC car kit. Although very few actually go on to become serious RC car hobbyists, the electric RC car can introduce them to the concept that RC car racing is fun.

2) Cheaper- Electric RC cars generally cost less than their gas-powered counterparts. This is the reason why they are more accessible to the general public. Electric RC cars can come as pre-assembled toys or can be bought in kits. Either way, electric RC cars can cost you so much less than Nitro models.

Economics can be very important to many people when they are looking for items to acquire. Let's face it: not all of us can afford everything that we want in life. Some people go for electric RC cars because they provide a much more economical alternative to gas-powered ones.

They are also cheaper in terms of fuel. Contrary to popular belief, gas powered RC cars cannot be fueled with gasoline. The fuel that is used in nitro RC cars is a mixture of Nitromethane and castor oil which can be bought at various specialty shops. Electric RC cars, on the other hand, only need batteries or the regular recharge in order to run. This means that you don't have to spend additional cash on fuel.

3) Indoor use- People are attracted to electric RC cars mainly because of the fact that it can be used indoors. This means that people are able to make use of their RC cars even if outdoor conditions are unfavorable.

What makes electric RC cars so different from Nitro RC cars? Well, it is a combination of two factors:

1) Noise- Electric RC cars run quietly. This makes them ideal for usage indoors. Nitro RC cars rely on combustion to run, which means that they can make a lot of noise. This is especially true if someone tried to operate a Nitro RC car indoors. The sound would reverberate off the walls and cause quite a racket.

2) Smoke- Since Electricity produces clean energy, there are no undesirable byproducts of running an electric RC car. However, electric RC cars need to be charged regularly which means that you might not be able to enjoy them for as long a time as you would enjoy a Nitro RC car.

Gas RC Car: Cheap Race Car Alternative

Are you a long-time fan of those racing events and each time you get to see that parade of fully-loaded professional race cars, there is nothing you can do except stare jealously at them? Wondering when can you ever get yourself experience that special kind of feeling of having fun and excitement by racing with those high-end models of Volvo, Porsche, Mercedes, or perhaps that BMW car? All you can do is wonder now because you simply cannot afford them, right?

Now, how about an alternative? How about getting the same extreme fun and excitement, but without you getting too financially drained?

You may think this is impossible. After all, those full-geared race cars would cost you at least several thousands of dollars. But, the truth is, there are remote control (RC) cars you can utilize for the same racing spirit.

Now, thinking it is another impossible thing? As you remember, RC cars are those you played with when you were growing up. You remember the same cars attached to the control pad via wires and when you set it in motion, you would get the fun at a few mph.

Those RC cars are still in existence but not so small time for big boys. With the advanced technology always surprising us with things we never think would be possible now, there are now RC cars you can actually use for your favorite pastime. RC cars were produced with the exact replicas of those cars you desired most. And now, with the racing activities always seen as the automotive industry's cream of the crop, gas RC cars are the cheap version. At a fraction of the cost, you can get the same exhilarating experience.

RC cars have been in popularity ever since and because of the many followers, there are clubs and associations formed that have led them to dedicate to RC car racing. Unbelievable still? Now, there are RC cars that participate to speedways and racetracks. If you have been longing to become a participant in a race, you can do so now without worries of money. Popular RC cars cost only a few hundred dollars. That makes sense for you, is it now?

Gas RC cars look exactly the same with those favorite racers. For the price of less than US$600, you get a RC car equipped with the same features and one that also reaches amazing speeds of over 70mph. If you like more, Dragsters are also out there for you. They accelerate a whopping 0 to 60mph in less than three seconds. A gas-powered RC car may take you just over US$300, but it would be sweeter to customize it with a fully functional spoiler, plus a custom paint job with additional little expenses on those.

If you want something more sensible, you can get one of those off-road remote control trucks. A family activity would be great with your RC car. Yes, just like with various options offered by the automotive industry, there are endless options for gas RC car enthusiasts. They attract all personalities and ages, because gas RC cars are the creations that all would surely appreciate.

RC cars are the well-loved gas-powered gas wonder. If you cannot wait to get a hold on those gas-powered race cars, you may start looking for one that would suit your need. You can get acquainted with someone who is into RC car racing for tips and tricks. You can also visit the website for endless information and update about these remote control cars.

The Hobby: RC Cars

The race is long and you do not want to be left behind, do you? Have you any clue of RC cars and RC racing? Your answer may be on the affirmative. This is because RC racing is now becoming a prominent hobby around the world.

RC racing gets into your system like an addicting cigar. You savor, you puff - and enjoy the sensation. But the sensation is addicting that you want to do it to a greater extent. Satisfy your craving for adventure – you can do it by telling your hands to move those joysticks and experience an overwhelming racing escapade.

There are two types of RC cars available in the market these days - the electric and the gasoline powered RC cars. Electric powered RC cars are easy to run and maintain. They are also made quieter. If you feel like racing, you can simply plug in the batteries and run the RC car. As long as the parts are assembled, all you have to do just turn it on and enjoy the show. This is the reason why these RC cars are good for the amateurs.

However, if you wanted a car that spells performance and fun, you can go for RC cars that run on gas. These RC cars are faster and more functional than electric powered RC cars. Nonetheless, they are complex. They require hard work and maintenance. But they are more exciting, nonetheless.

Gas powered RC cars are adored by veteran racers because of their more realistic drive feel. In fact, if you run said models, you can actually hear the engine and feel the heart-thumping power. Another advantage of gas powered RC cars is that you need not wait for batteries to recharge, you just refill the fuel and your back on the thrilling race once again. However, compared to electric RC car, this type of RC car is costly.

Electric and gas powered RC cars both have their sets of advantages and disadvantages. You just have to weigh which of the two is most appealing to you. Be sure that your choice of RC car will not drain your finances. Purchasing and maintaining an RC car that is fueled by gas is expensive. Be certain that you can bear the expenses without drilling a hole in your pocket.

If you have visited an RC car shop, you might have wondered why a RC car hobby would cost more than a toy RC. In addition, the difference in the price is over a hundred dollars – that's quite a sum!

When you go to a hobby store that is specializing in RC cars, one purchase could cause a grave dent in your pocket. This is because most hobby stores are of a professional grade. The hobby RC cars they are selling are designed to perform like the real thing – real cars, trucks, boats and airplanes.

Some of the hobby-grade RC cars are unassembled while others come in partially assembled RC car kit. However, if you want to break free from the hassle of assembly or if you know nothing about the thing, never dare to do it by yourself. Instead, you can opt for an assembled version of the RC car. They are offered by RC car shops. Remember that it is better to let the experts do the assembly for you rather that having it your way and destroy your precious RC car.

If you want your kids to enjoy the adrenaline rush of RC's, you can purchase RC toy cars for them. The latter are designed for children and amateurs alike.