Advantages of Nitro Power
You don’t have to worry about buying too many batteries anymore. A nitro engine makes cool, unbelievable sounds, making it all worth it. A car with a real internal combustion engine adds a little flare to something that could be boring or dull.
Fuel-burning is rather slow, which allows for longer, uninterrupted run times. A gallon of nitro fuel tends to last a long time. The realism of the piston pounding gives out a trail of smoke, which is awesome.
Maintenance of Nitro RC Cars
Like any engine, it requires some maintenance. Glow plugs provide a spark to the motor. You need to make sure that they aren’t faulty. The motor has an air filter that connects to it. A little nitro fuel needs to be added to it. It helps keep small dirt debris from entering the engine.
Nitro RC Cars and Trucks
If in the market for nitro, there are plenty of brands to choose from with different skill levels.
Traxxas is the king of nitro cars and trucks. They make seven different models, including the Rustler, Slash, T-Maxx, Jato, Slayer, and Revo. Most of them are 1/10 scale vehicles and are pretty easy to maintain. The Rustler, Slash, and Slayer will be more of your stadium trucks.
Losi makes the 8ight 1/8-scale models. The vehicles are more expensive than Traxxas but are geared towards racers.
Kyosho has the Inferno in a couple of setups.
Horizon Hobby also carries the NB48, PureTen GP, MRX6X, MBX8R, NT48, and Pro Mod Dragster, which I don’t know who makes.
Associated Electronics has the RC8B4 and RC8T4.
Nitro RC Kits and Ready-to-Run (RTR) Options
Most nitro cars are what is considered to be ready-to-run (RTR). The car will be completely assembled, with a radio and all electronics installed. The only things that need to be purchased separately will be the nitro fuel and any battery needed for the radio. If you purchase one of the racing-type cars, such as those from Losi or Kyosho, you will need a bump/jump box. These are needed to spin the tires, which causes the car to fire up. If you purchase a Traxxas, it comes with a starter button-type mechanism that turns the motor for you.
Suitability for Beginners
Nitro probably shouldn’t be your first choice if you are a first-time hobbyist in RC. They can be a little testy to get started and stay started. Understanding how to work with the fuel-air mixture screws can be frustrating to the most seasoned hobbyist.