Buggy engine recommendations (current setup included)

[jdr5523]

I'm in the process of changing engines in my Ultra LX One with the hopes of getting it club race ready. I've narrowed my engine choices down to 3:

RB Concept S3

RB Concept S5

Novarossi N21B

I was planning on running one of those engines with the Jammin JP-3 pipe.

My buggy is mostly stock, geared 14T/51T. Currently set up with medium springs, 35 wt front / 30 wt rear shock oil. 5k/7k/2k F/C/R diff oil. The longest straight at the local track is 30 yards at most, and most of the track consists of having to quickly accelerate to make a jump. It's tight with a lot of turns, but a hell of a lot of fun to drive. Granted, most of the oil and spring choices are baseline, but they can be changed out much cheaper than an engine. =)

The reason behind my choices of engine, most of the guys that run buggies at the track run RB's or Novarossi, and I'm also trying to keep the cost of the engine under $250. Although the OS .21 V-Spec is a solid engine, it's out of my price range seeing as how I'd like to keep the engine and pipe under $325-350.

If anyone has any recommendations, they would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Scrogg]

The Nova is a solid performer as well as the Piccos/Jammin engines.
I have no experience with RB engines, so no comment. I have heard that the RB's last forever though.
http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/cPath/1_23_31/products_id/12591
This is the engine I have in my buggy. It keeps up with the GRPs and OS V-specs no problem. For the price it cannot be beat. It embarrassed a lot of high dollar engines at my last race.

 

[Lessen]

I JUST bought the RB S3. It's in my TTR S3 buggy right now awaiting break in.

 

[jdr5523]

http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/cPath/1_23_31/products_id/12591
This is the engine I have in my buggy. It keeps up with the GRPs and OS V-specs no problem. For the price it cannot be beat. It embarrassed a lot of high dollar engines at my last race.

They have that engine in my LHS. The price is pretty darn good, and it's one I'm considering as of now. Out of curiosity, which plug are you running with it? I looked through the included manuals and didn't see a recommendation.

 

[Scrogg]

MC-8 is what Nitrohouse recommended and it is working beautifully with 25% Byrons.
Picco/Ofna say not to use the MC-59 as it is too hot of a plug. Picco has there own plugs which they of course recommend. I found the MC-8 ran cooler.
Warning...the pinch on this engine is tight as hell, it started easily with some heat though.
Links to Ofna plugs
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGPN4&P=SM I tried this one but not the one below. It was included with my buggy in the box.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGPN3&P=SM

 

[jdr5523]

MC-8 is what Nitrohouse recommended and it is working beautifully with 25% Byrons.
Picco/Ofna say not to use the MC-59 as it is too hot of a plug. Picco has there own plugs which they of course recommend. I found the MC-8 ran cooler.
Warning...the pinch on this engine is tight as hell, it started easily with some heat though.
Links to Ofna plugs
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGPN4&P=SM I tried this one but not the one below. It was included with my buggy in the box.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGPN3&P=SM

Cool. I did see some OFNA plugs in the instructions, but I don't think they carry those at the shop. I know they stock MC-8's, and that with 20% Rocket Science would probably work out alright.

Thanks for the information, I might just have a winner on what to buy.

 

[Scrogg]

I raced yesterday and let a couple of the pro guys drive my buggy. First thing they all said was "Damn, I like that engine!"
A guy running a EB modded V-spec was floored when I told him how much it cost. His V-spec would kill mine though, I have no delusions about that.
I dropped down to 20% Byron's too, it seems to run much better with the 20% as well.

 

[jdr5523]

How much fuel do you have through that engine, Scrogg?

I talked to a few guys at the track this afternoon, everyone agreed that for the money it was a winner, but the guy that actually used to run that engine said after 4 gallons or so it was pretty much done.

On a side note, I had a lot of recommendations for Nova today. In fact, the guy that used to run the Picco said that the N21B, even at $200, was a really good value at that cost.

 

[Scrogg]

I have about 3/4 of a gallon thru it. You can't go wrong with a Nova, unless it is the 21 5K, those things are junk. I have met a lot of unhappy 5k owners.