Fuel question??

[Dblock545]

Hi, i got a fuel question. Will 30% fuel shorten my engine life quicker than 20% fuel? engine type: (sx .12 re 5 port turbo nova mega) i been using 30% in my t-15 rs4 engine no probs. I use sidewinder 30% because thats what my LHS carries.

 

[R/C Madman]

Not always. When you run higher % nitro you can run your engines richer and still get more power. The cooler the engine is run (within normal limits) the longer it will last.

 

[Dblock545]

Cool thanks, Someone also said i can use shims on the cooling head to cut down on some of the heat.

 

[jon2]

Yeah I have heard that as well but don't run anything else but 20%. I would do a little more homework on it just to be safe. Ask your LHS or where you bought the engine. Get their approval.

Jon

 

[Digital Liquid]

I wouldn't run 30% in that engine. Here is what Novamega says about their SX12 & SX15 class engines.

"For the NovaMEGA SX-12 and SX-15 engine, we recommend using a fuel with a maximum of 16% nitromethane, and a minimum of 10% oil."

Besides the manufacturer saying not to use 30% nitro. There are other reasons not to use it too.

This was taken from Xtreme RC Cars magazine, which did a thorough test on running various nitro % blends.

1) Although higher nitro fuels reduce engine temps, they still spin them up faster which creates more wear. Your engine will produce more power, but the increased performance will wreak havoc on your engine's internals. More power means more engines to get you through the racing season.

2) High nitro content fuels can also cause problems if your engine is not suited to it. Lower-power engines can actually lose performance or endure extreme damage if the nitro % used is too high. High nitro blends can cause predetonation or pitting of the piston and underhead (button) if the engine is not designed for high nitro fuels.

So I would say that if you want to make the engine last, then I wouldn't run the 30%. But if you don't care about longetivity, and simply want power then run 30%. It's all about what you want more, (power or longetivity).


Later.....

 

[windy city maniac]

i agree with every1. i was told .21 mills and up u can use 30% if not use 20%

I WOULDNT USE 30% IN THAT CAR, BUT I've BEEN WRONG B4! I THINK IMSAFE ON THIS 1 THOUGH.

 

[surgemaster1970]

I've also found that flopping back and forth between fuel %age when the engines fresh kills the life of it quicker too.....If an engine is broken-in on 20% it should live its days as a 20% vehicle until its later days when compression weakens because when you run a fuel that runs lower head temps you get less thermal cylinder expansion thats why they get worn faster.Theres alot of people who break-in their engines on 20% before stepping up to 30% sucessfully.This should be done after a very timely and generous break-in.If not it will be like breaking in your engine all over again when you use the fuel that decreases thermal temps with less expansion;-thats where the damage results from ......I found when an engine gets older and more worn 30% helps get it through the day better until it ceases to run anymore....Theres race engines build with loose tolerences on the cylinder to allow it to start its days and end its days as a 30% vehicle but theyre strictly race only and last not as long.....