RC Car Parts

Have you ever felt that your RC car is getting less crispy and tight than it was when you took it out first time of the box? If so then don't be crazy and run out to buy a new kit of RC car parts just to get it back to as it was initially. Much likely to others you will be ignoring many things while you are wrenching. Your RC car always needs regular attention and service of its parts regardless the brand or type. Below are the steps, you should repeat regularly at the recommended times, so that you can maintain fresh, new feel of your RC car.

Keep a journal with a list of your RC car parts just to remind you of when it is time to do any necessary service of respective car part. You should know that certain conditions, such as sandy surfaces, deteriorate your RC car parts. So, plan accordingly!

Batteries:

Thumb Rule: Cycle them once each month

The action is particularly necessary with Ni-CD and Ni-MH battery packs. You must cycle them at least one time each month. Discharge the pack to an average of .9 Vs/cell (5.4-volts for a six-cell pack, 3.6-volts for a five-cell receiver pack), and then recharge the pack to its full; better to use a peak detection charger for it. If you use Li-Po battery packs then take care of them with a cell balancer as it levels the voltage supply throughout the pack.

Bearings:

Thumb Rule: Clean or replace after each gallon, or earlier as per condition.

Take out all drivetrain bearings and clean and re-oil them. Replace those still feeling gritty even after being cleaned. It is advised to check the axle bearings after every few runs, and it becomes even more necessary in dusty or dry environments. Gritty and seized axle bearing makes RC car feel twitchy.

Shock and diff seals:

Thumb Rule: Each second time you change oil

By getting cheap shock and diff O-rings, and replacing them frequently, you can get an extra protection against blown seals. In case of a blown shock or seals, it takes more time to clean the RC car's suspension than making a replacement.

Shock and diff oil:

Thumb Rule: Replace oil after racing for 6-days or 4-days

The silicone oil you are using in shocks and diffs of your RC car becomes ineffective after multiple uses and with abrupt temperature changes. Each time after 6-days of race, you must dump out all of the shock oil and completely empty the shock body by using motor spray. Follow the manufacturer's instructions while refilling and bleeding the shock. Your RC car’s diffs work under high temperatures, so replace diff oil once after four race days.

Fuel line:

Thumb Rule: Check frequently and replace with the new, if torn and brittle.

Though fuel tube is a low-cost part of your RC car, but it sometimes create big problems when it tears. Fuel line should be checked at least once after each racing day, as there may be some brittle patches or small tears. Replace it if you feel it necessary.

Glow plugs:

Your RC car has many consumable parts and glow plugs are also one of them. You will have to replace them after regular intervals to maintain your engine performance at its best. After every major racing activity, take out the plug and check its coil. If you find it distorted, white, damaged or broken then it’s time for replacement.

Clutch:

Thumb rule: After each half-gallon of fuel OR every racing week.

Engine is the heart of your RC car whereas the clutch is its blood. A nonfunctional clutch leads to tuning incompatibility and low performance. Disassemble your RC car's clutch after every half-gallon of fueling. Check it thoroughly; look for the broken spring, worn shoe, glazing on the shoes/clutch bells, and affects to the flywheel. It will save your money, if it just need chamfering of the affected edges of the shoes by using a file, otherwise you will have to replace the clutch bearings (recommendation: after each gallon), including shoes and springs.

Air filter:

Thumb Rule: Replace, or clean and re-oil them after each racing day.

I observed many racers using new air filter elements each time they feel them dirty, but there is no extensive requirement to change any dirty element; the only exception is a foam element even if it is not damaged. Fully clean the element with soap and water, apply air filter oil and put it in again. Some oils does not get clean easily with soap and water, if you are also using such oil then I would recommend getting a new, oiled filter element.

Most of the parts of your RC car that keep it running at its best are not much costly, and the performance you will obtain from your RC car in its tiptop condition is enough to justify the time and effort you spend on tuning it.

Fastest RC Cars

Car hobbyists always love to have fastest RC cars, whether it is powered by electric motors or nitro engines, to outstrip others with their performance and speed. After having a quick glance over the fastest RC cars available, it becomes easy to make that all important buying decision. Below are the top three fastest RC cars holding the world record as the fastest RC car.

1- Traxxas Nitro 4-Tec 3.3

The Traxxas Nitro 4-Tec 3.3 is a fastest RC car that can go up to the speed of 70+ mph. Nothing amazing! I hear you say. But do you also know the length of this sedan? Just 17- inches. For a RC car to make 70+ mph is really unbelievable. This tells about the technology and power used in the Nitro 4-Tec 3.3 for the serious RC car enthusiast. Before touching the details, one important thing is that the Nitro 4-Tec 3.3 is not made for everyone. This car achieves rapid acceleration and very high speed therefore only experienced players can drive it. If you never had any experience with nitro powered RC cars, you would wreck it in seconds while struggling to control it. It requires a wide space free of obstacles, traffic or pedestrians as a running area. This projectile with 70 mph will make a serious injury if hits anybody. That’s why, Traxxas rated this model with the highest skill level of “5”; that means it is just for expert drivers.

With a slightest twitch of the steering you would end up the play very badly. You need an absolutely flat track to run this sedan. This very high speed is gifted by the TRX 3.3 nitro racing engine installed in it. For those not familiar with radio control technology, nitro engines are actually small-sized ICEs - internal combustion engines - run by specific nitro fuel having nitro-methane that generates this exceptional power. The Nitro 4-Tec 3.3's nitro engine gets 60% more peak power than its sibling - the TRX 2.5. The total power given “under the curve” is about 50% more; this delivers a smooth, stable and linear power output.

With a powerful nitro engine, there is no question of any difficulty while starting or tuning. The 3.3 nitro racing engine features a Traxxas EZ-Start electric starting system along with a two-needle composite slide carburetor for quick tuning. Traxxas has made starting as simple as it can be by using its Smart Start technology. This system tracks all core starting functions, and detect and settle the possible problems for quick starting.

The Traxxas Nitro 4-Tec 3.3 is a fantabulous piece of miniature technology. It is acknowledged as the fastest nitro powered RC car available so far. So, if you can't pay for an actual, high performance sport car like me, then try this record breaking, fastest RC car for few hundred bucks in a miniature size.

2- Cen CT4-S

The Cen CT4-S is very fast and one of the fastest RC cars available out there. Cen CT4-S attains this top speed with its newly engineered huge 2.5 Big Block 3 ports "Lighting" engine operating with an adjustable lightweight 2-speed transmission. With its multiple tuning options in the chassis design, you can adjust your CT4-S to any track conditions.

This sweetly designed CT4-S offers great handling as well. The only thing I feel bad, is its radio. I believe Cen can manufacture better radios than the one they make for the CT4-S. It doesn’t mean the radio is quite rubbish – its ok with me but Cen can improve it even more. Unless you are on a racing track, your CT4-S will not get too many running mates when it attains its maximum speed. There are not so many RTR cars that can show off 50+ mph out of the box. Its ready-to-run suspension and chassis doesn’t make CT4 S just a typecast or a straight-line speed car. No doubt, the CEN CT4-S is the fastest RC car available. Right out of the box, it is the one and only 1/10 Nitro car that breaks the 70-mph speed barrier.

3- OFNA OB4

RC cars are getting faster and faster each year. Companies have actually started using top speed as a selling point for their 1/10th nitro RC cars. OFNA OB4 is another fastest RC car leading the pack. This is a belt driven 1/10 nitro powered RC car running with a .12 Force motor. OFNA always sells good racing cars at cheap prices, mostly cheaper than other RC cars with same features.

If you want pure speed, on-road RC cars are best for you. Electric powered on-road RC cars reach up to 40+ mph speed whereas the nitro powered on-road cars makes speed of 70 mph – of course, this is not for beginners. Top RC manufacturing companies are Tamiya, Serpent, OFNA, NEO, Kyosho, HPI, Traxxas, and Bolink. If you are a beginner, try an electric touring car such as the HPI Dash RC Car, but if you want fastest RC nitro cars that can reach more than 50 mph speed, try the OFNA OB4 Nitro RC Car.

Buy any of above mentioned three fastest RC cars and hit the higher end of the radio controlled car racing circuit with their capabilities of running at 60-mph and over.

Electric RC Cars

Amateurs, who are also new in the RC racing world, always complaint that it is quite tough to select the most suitable electric RC car that can become a worthy, toughest rival to other competing cars in racing. If you are also the one, you need some basic and vital information before setting out to purchase your first electric RC car.

Electric RC cars are powered by electric batteries that are delivered in battery packs. They come in two forms – first ‘ready to run’ (also called - rtr) and the second option is - built it yourself. If you don’t know much about RC cars' technology, I would suggest choosing the former. With it, you will just turn it on and off – and it will go. RC cars, running on battery packs are much easier to buy and care as compared to the popular nitro RC cars. The electric RC cars are specifically designed for beginners.

Major advantage of electric RC cars, besides its user-friendly nature, is that these cars are quite inexpensive. This difference in price between a gasoline powered and an electric powered RC car usually goes up to one hundred bucks. So, if you're looking for an RC car, which you can easily operate and maintain, then go for an electric RC car.

Buying Electric RC Cars

While buying an electric RC car, you need to consider many things like your budget, car's capabilities, and car's maintenance and servicing matters. Electric RC cars are available in broad range of prices, so select the one that will not be a burden on your finances. Electric RC car kits come for both on-road and off-road racings; these kits vary in sizes, styles, and colors. As each electric RC car has unique features, so buy a car that suits your budget, experience, needs, capabilities and likings. If you are amateur, ‘ready to run’ kits are best. They have all what you need; everything is there. Buying this, you will free yourself from worries regarding the assembly and other parts. Servo, receiver, radio, motor, and the electronic speed control – you will get everything in the package – so no need to worry. And, if it is a matter of building RC cars, you can also buy the build it yourself kit.

Places to buy?

Reputable RC car shops are the most reliable spots, especially for the beginners. Learn what expert RC racers say about best places to shop. Certainly, they can guide you to the right track. Online buying is another great option, but make it sure that you are trading with a trustworthy seller. Online prices of electric RC cars are mostly lower. Another big advantage with online purchasing is that you get huge variety of cars and parts to choose from. Compare different offers in their prices and quality. And above all, you can also get an advantage of discounts that will reduce your expenses.

Maintenance of Electric RC Cars

Don't run your electric RC Car when its motor is overheated. This would weaken the motor springs, its magnet and also can burn the motor brushes. It also reduces your electric RC car's running time and cause to stop at the center of the race. To avoid all these things, there are three steps you can take to prevent your car's motor from getting overheated while running at its peak speed.

1. Keep gear ratio at its right level (pinion and spur).

2. Maintain the required, proper gap between pinion and spur.

3. Proper and timely maintenance.

Your electric RC car needs frequent tuning to maintain its speed and power. Make sure your electric RC Car motor always serve better.

Electric RC cars are a great gift for people of all ages. Play with your electric RC car anytime, anyplace. Though, these are not as fast as nitro RC cars, but electric RC cars always give a quality entertainment to its players as well as viewers. HPI's sprint 2 series in electric RC cars kicked it up a notch, shattering the bad repute of being slow that electric RC cars were having in the past. The electric RC cars do have advantages over the gas powered RC cars, which make them attractive to the people. Their lighter weight, motor durability and easy controlling of the throttle make electric RC cars far better than nitro RC cars for drifting. You could burn out the clutch and overheat the engine while making the same drifting moves with your nitro RC car. To get most out of you electric RC car, you should learn drifting. You may feel difficult to get proper control at first, but after some practice you will gain a better experience and remember practice is the only way to become a great drifter. Create your own videos and watch your progress; check your mistakes and learn from them.