You might be dead set on buying a nitro RC and if so, none of the reasons below should stop you. The following is just so you know 100% what you are getting into with a nitro RC.
Operating a nitro RC is more complicated
Electric RCs are powered by a battery, electronic speed control, and motor that are basically maintenance free. Nitro RCs are powered by a 2-stroke engine with a fuel system, adjustable carburetor, and exhaust. It’s more mechanically complicated and requires more maintenance than an electric system.
Nitros RCs are loud, dirty, and produce smoke
Nitro RCs makes quite a bit of noise, similar to a string trimmer. Depending on where you live and who your neighbors are, there might be times when running a nitro RC is not the neighborly thing to do.
Nitro RCs create exhaust in the form of smoke and oil. The oil can stain your driveway and the smell can get on your clothes.
To get an idea of how loud nitro RCs are, watch the video below.
Nitros RCs are less durable
There are more parts that can break and wear out on a nitro RC. Clutches, motor mounts, cooling heads, carbs, fuel lines, and other nitro-only parts are all things that electric owners don’t have to worry about breaking or maintaining.
Nitro RCs cost more
You can buy a 1/10 scale, name brand electric RC for $200 that is ready to run. The cheapest name brand nitro RC is going to cost almost $400 if you include a gallon of fuel. If funds are limited, a nitro RC might not be your best option.
More maintenance and you have to do it yourself
No matter what kind of RC you have, it needs to be maintained and repaired on a regular basis and you will be the one doing that work. Nitro RCs have the added complexity of an engine which can be difficult to trouble shoot sometimes. If you’re not up for the task, then nitro RCs probably aren’t for you.
Not as many people run nitro
If part of the RC hobby for you is social interaction, then you’re probably better off with an electric RC unless you know there is an active community of nitro RC enthusiasts in your area.
They are slightly more dangerous
On a nitro RC, the engine is controlled by the carburetor. The carburetor is opened and closed by the throttle linkage, which is composed of a few mechanical parts, a servo, and your radio. If any of those components fails and the appropriate backups are not in place (or the backups fail), your carburetor can open all the way and cause your model to go full speed ahead and you won’t be able to stop it. This is called a “runaway” and if people are around when this happens, someone could get hurt.
Proper maintenance, inspection, and fail safe backups can virtually eliminate the chance of a runway, but it is always a possibility.
Still interested in Nitro RCs?
Good. For some of us, only a nitro can give us what we want from the RC hobby.
Additional Info
- Nitro RC Cars Are DISAPPEARING And Here’s Why! (YouTube.com)
- This is Why I Hate Nitro! (YouTube.com)