It's that time of year again, and I am still struggling with this

[godale03]

Hey guys,

At least for me, it is that time of year again. My Nitro's have sat dorment since last fall when it became to cold to run them. It is now starting to get warm again as it is in other parts of the country. My question is a loaded one, but I figured I would post, so that myself and other rookie nitro tuners could reap the benefits. The info I am after, is how do you know if your engine is tuned correctly? ....ie. what signs are you looking for. Now I know that there are alot of conditions that will affect the tuning of your engine from day to day. What I am looking for is a good checklist for knowing wether your engine is tuned right regardless of the weather conditions. I realize that you may need to tweak a needle or two depending on the day. I am still a rookie and since I have not fired my nitros up in probably 6 months I am really really rusty. I wish I had a clue on what the throttle response is, between take off and under acceleration? How long it should take to shut down when you pinch the fuel line? Should it be able to idle without throttle imput? Things like that. Thanks for the help guys.

Tom

 

[jetmechG550]

Try to recall the conditions the last time you ran and base your initial needle adjustments from there. I run year round (indoor in winter and outdoors when the weather is good) so mine never get a break. Make sure you fuel is good, if there's condensation inside the bottle can it. Once it starts, warm it up to normal temp and watch for a nice crisp acceleration, no bogging and nice smoke trail. Listen to the idle, is it gurgely or raspy? Or does it have just a nice clean sound? After running at normal temp when you pinch, you're looking for about a 3-4 second delay before flameout and a slight rise in idle just before it dies. Watch you don't have too much raw fuel spitting out at idle either.

 

[Candyman]

I'm in the same boat as you, Tom. My RCs usually sit all winter. So when I got to fire them up in the Spring, I'm not sure where they're set and for what conditions. So to be on the safe side, I reset my needles to factory spec and start over again. Especially since in the Spring it's still a bit cooler and the ideal settings will be different than in the Fall. Just keep your usual habits. Look for good smoke trail. A steady idle for 30 seconds or so before it loads up. Smooth power. And by all means, keep that temp gun handy. It's really no different than any other tuning session. I just like to start over again at the beginning of the season.

 

[godale03]

I hate to post what seems like a stupid question. You would think I would have gotten this by now. I don't get to run my Nitro's much even when the weather is good, so after a few months on the shelf I feel like a Noob all over again. It is frustrating as hell for me. It also doesn't help that I have never run with anyone that knows how to tune, so I am learning everything on my own, on the fly. Just when i think I have things committed to memory... there gone!

Hey Jet, thanks for the info. My needles are set right where I left them last season. There is no where in MD to run indoors so things are just as there were the last time I ran. All I did was ARO, BDC, cleaned them up, and put them on the shelf. So is the mill supposed to idle down quickly or gradually when you let off the throttle? Is the truck supposed to idle by itself, or should I have to constantly blip the throttle? My temps should be in the 230 range?

I hate to sound like such a dope but I figure I better ask, than to be sorry later. My accleration sucks. I am getting run over on the track, and I am running a .30... I am getting smoke, and it doesn't seem to be spitting much fuel.


Edit... Hey Candyman... thanks as well. I saw your post right after I posted my response to Jet.... I think that is the best thing to do.... Just start from scratch. For me... even in the summer I don't get a whole lot of time behind the trigger so I guess it is just going to take a while to get to a comfort level.

Tom

Tom

 

[neobart]

I found this thing surfing another RC site. Good guide by the master.

The Ron Paris Tuning and engine guide.
http://www.nitroreview.com/hintstips/ParisRacingEngineTuningTechTips.pdf

 

[olds97_lss]

Good find neobart! I had found that a few years ago (or something very similar from Ron Paris) and lost it. Now I have something to give my newbies I've been bashing with.

There's a lot of good info in there for old RC'rs and newbies.

 

[vbgagnon]

Ron Paris was a god! He knew his stuff, don't hesisate to learn from what he has to say.

 

[alx]

Hey you live in MD? Thats cool same here, there arent many good tracks or anything around me.. kinda sucks.

 

[Racer 1966]

I hate to post what seems like a stupid question.

A relative newbie wanting keep from hurting his motor, what's stupid about that?

In your situation, I think Candyman has the best advice for you, but I haven't checked out the article link yet.

 

[godale03]

Thanks for the info guys. I hate to admit this, but I have never heard of Ron Paris, but I will take it from you guys that his info is good stuff. I will read that article.

Thanks for understanding and not roasting me over this. Nitro tuning is an art form in my opinion, and I am still learning the ropes. Not having the oportunity to run all year long doesn't help either. I do know where to come for answers though! Thanks again.



Hey Alx... I have only one track even remotely near me, and it is not sanctioned by anyone, and it's only used for club racing. We don't run any trophy races or anything like that. Just a bunch of local rednecks that get together on Saturday's. It works for me though! One of these days I will get to a big even... even if it is just to watch. I figure you would have a bunch of tracks up in your area.


Tom

 

[jetmechG550]

Hell Tom, we got Monkey running!

 

[godale03]

If you can get MW running... then I know I will have no problem at all! LOL

Thanks again guys.

Tom