Motor or Engine

[SMaxxin]

I have read more than one post about nitro's having engines and electrics having motors and I was wondering....

Those that insist that nitro's do not have motors, have you ever looked up the word motor in the dictionary?

 

[jetmechG550]

Usually in technical terms a motor is referred to as being something of eletric power and en engine is fuel powered. It's taught that way in aviation training and manuals are very strict as to referring to an engine or motor. I know I go back and forth more out of laziness of calling an engine a motor.

 

[olds97_lss]

My nitro's have motors... in the servos!

OOOHHH High five me!!!!>!>!

Actually, after looking at the definition for motor and engine, they can almost both be used for either electric or non-electric applications.

 

[The Slacker]

Technically I think every engine is a motor. However not every motor is an engine (depending on what dictionary you read, so for some, the following isn't 100% true). Engine is a more specific term to describe a conversion of thermal energy to kinetic energy. This tends to be a VERY opinionated question, but the best answer is to say engine (for gas) and motor (for electric).

The motor/engine debate is like a square and a rectangle. Every square is a rectangle but it takes a specific rectangle to be a square.

 

[mylittleheinie]

My computer has a graphics engine.....lol!

 

[olds97_lss]

Technically I think every engine is a motor. However not every motor is an engine (depending on what dictionary you read, so for some, the following isn't 100% true). Engine is a more specific term to describe a conversion of thermal energy to kinetic energy. This tends to be a VERY opinionated question, but the best answer is to say engine (for gas) and motor (for electric).

The motor/engine debate is like a square and a rectangle. Every square is a rectangle but it takes a specific rectangle to be a square.

Dude... you gave me a whopper of a head-ache!

 

[Rolex]

They seem to be engines in the north, and motors in the south. A neighbor of mine was working on his car, and when I asked what he was doing, he said he was changing the motor. I asked him if he was changing the starter or the windshield wiper motor.
He's a MAJOR Nascar fan, and it always amazes me to hear those engine wizards from Nascar call them motors.

But then there are the ones with no moving parts. Rocket motors. Also called Rocket engines. Powered by various propellents. Some run on solid fuel, some on liquid, some on gas.
Motors, or engines? Take your choice.

Then there are Jet engines. Basically only one moving part. The turbine. You never heard anyone call it a Jet motor. This is definately an ENGINE, even though it more closely resembles an electric motor than a piston engine. (one spinning part in the middle)

However, to me, if it has a piston, or pistons, it's an engine. Electric, it's a motor.

Get it? Got it? Good.

Now I've even confused myself.

 

[chuck3]

too me, it all matters on wich sounds better in a string of words, because we all know that sentances are only used in internet forums and in english classes.

like:
i have to pull the motor
or:
i have to take out the engine

both are reffering to the nitro burning peice of metal in my truck, but thats what i say in either case, and thats what sounds right to me.

but if I'm going to get technical (wich i do from time to time) a motor is electric and an engine is gas

 

[Rolex]

i have to pull the motor
or:
i have to take out the engine

So, if you have a Revo 3.3 with an EZ start, just what are you about to do?

Isn't it odd that we need to register our piston driven cars through a motor vehicle department?

They should also test our motor skills more often.

 

[unccpathfinder]

Usually in technical terms a motor is referred to as being something of eletric power and en engine is fuel powered. It's taught that way in aviation training and manuals are very strict as to referring to an engine or motor. I know I go back and forth more out of laziness of calling an engine a motor.

in general engineering this is the case...webster's doesn't break it down that way...but my first week on the job as an engineer i got drilled for that...a motor is electric and engine is "fuel" powered

i also got drilled on no fires (firewalls werent firewalls they were bulk heads) they're are only "unexpected thermal events"

and an E brake isnt an E brake...its a parking brake b/c there are no emergencies...

what i told the guys was "motor or engine u know what the crap i'm talking about so it doesn't matter...

 

[chuck3]

So, if you have a Revo 3.3 with an EZ start, just what are you about to do?

Isn't it odd that we need to register our piston driven cars through a motor vehicle department?

They should also test our motor skills more often.

well, i dont run a revo with the EZ start so i really dont have that problem:celebrate3: !!

but if that were the case, i think i would just say "i have to take off the EZ start"

 

[The Slacker]

In the end you can call it whatever you want... Just don't tell someoen to go out and buy you a "motor"
I think there are bigger problems if someone freaks out enough to call you out for interchanging the terms. Everything has its inconsistencies so why try to make it set it stone