I'll add my opinion too
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I've learned this, and it was fun learning. Definetly with RTR's the performance parts aren't there. Will they perform stock, why yes they will, but when you buy the "hop-ups" that's where they really perform. Take this into example, a BRAND NEW RC10GT RTR and a BRAND NEW RC10GT Factory Team. Now, the deal is, you have to build the Factory Team. But let's say you use the same motor that the RTR has. That motor will run different no matter. The wieght, difference in parts, and most definetly, the tuning. But let's say you take the motor and run it in the RTR then in the Factory team. One of the major differences will be the wieght. The more wieght, the harder the poor little motor has to work. The Factory Team will be lighter because of the lighter parts that comes with it. So, even if it's an ounce, it still matters. Look at a real car after that. Take two exact cars and put 4 people in one and one in the other, which is going to have to run harder to pull that hill, or hit 60 the quickest? So now that point is over, next!
Engines, there are millions out there, no matter what. Each one will act different depending on the driver, the fuel, the thing that it is in, air quality... ect ect. I'm not saying if you buy two engines that they "can't" act the same. I'm just saying that the variables involved are toooo many to list, and they all play a small part on the engines performance.
Heads, definetly made for cooling. Now I have a TRX .15 pro stock with an AE header and pipe. Now of course, that TRX .15 pro was designed for a T-maxx and high stress pulling that 4wd beast around. It's sitting in an RC10GT, and that's not near as much stress as the T-Maxx until you really look at gearing. But still with the gearing, I doubt it is more stress than the T-maxx. Of course that was the "older" T-maxx, but you get the point. Now manufacturers make thier engines for a purpose. Here's an example... The new
TRX 2.5. They come in the T-Maxx AND the Nitro Rustler. I can say this with totally honesty, I've seen both run at the same time, and the Rustler was always cooler. The motors are the same, but I can tell you this, the motor on the Rustler doesn't have to be as lean as the T-maxx to get full speed. There's the wieght again, BUT, also with the head that's sufficient for the T-maxx, in the rustler it's partially overkill, in my opinion. As for top performance, there will NEVER be a motor built for specifically top performance, when it comes to manufacturers. Why? Just like was said before, there are parts that they want YOU to buy to bring it to "top" performance. Now with 90% of things out there these days, there are companies out there who try to make things bigger and better and cheaper than the OEM(Original Equipment Manufacturer). Take RPM A-Arms for example. Ask anyone who understands how devistating a good bash session can be to say.. A Stock T-Maxx front A-Arm versus a RPM Aftermarket replacement A-Arm. Everything is designed for a purpose, and that's one thing, to make money and bring the consumer back for more afterwards. Some companies make heads for certain engines specifically and some make heads for a multitude of engines. You just have to find out what you need. Once I met a guy who raced RC10GT's professionally around Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He ALWAYS ran the stock AE motor, just NEVER ran the stock AE head, just because of the drawbacks, and he did let me watch the beast run. It ran like nothing I've ever seen. It totally dusted a T-maxx with a .21 conversion kit. I would of never guess. Made me wish I didn't trade in my AE motor. Though the list was quite impressive, everything from a racing head... I can't remember the name, it was purple.. I think it started with an M, all the way to believe it or not, OS piston and an AE sleeve. The guy really did his homework I'd say. He wouldn't give me the OS .15 he had without a piston
And one more thing I'd like to state about. Drivetrain tuning (Gearing). A lower geared driveline that just goes right up to speed will actually cut down on the heat to a point. While a driveline that is geared to high will bring the heat up fast. A motor that "lugs" is always going to run hotter, because of the stress. Exactly why I run a 67 tooth spur gear and a 14 tooth clutch bell. I'm looking more towards bashing than racing.
That was just my $1.02 I figured I'd state it.
Just some words about things I've learned over the years..
And as for 15-18 year olds... Oh my god, you hit the bullseye on that one. I saw the PERFECT T-shirt, and you need to get them all one. It states on the front.. "I'm a TEENAGER" and on the back, it simply states. "I should get a job while I still know everything"
