Nitro Convert...

[LuckyJimMT2]

G'day all! This be my 2nd post on board the boards. I've been around electric RC cars since my Lunchbox in 1990. I recently bought my first nitro last year, and because I have a soft spot for stadium trucks, I got the HPI RS4 MT2 RTR. Anyway, I can't seem to get it tuned up quite right (it seems sluggish when I throttle it from a stand still, plus the idle screw doesn't seem to work), and I was wondering if there is anything to download from the 'net in the way of troubleshooting/tuning files. for nitro engines or the Nitro Star T-15, or if anyone here has suggestions, any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Also, is the Ultimate Nitro Engine Tuning DVD or book worth picking up for a nitro newbie.

 

[Supernitro17]

ill search around for some tuning stuff. but dont adjust the idle screw, just keep leaning out the main carb screw. safe temps are up to 275 on that motor so dont be shy with it. if real power is what you're after, swap up to an OS.18... theyre reliable all day long, and have about 2 1/2 times the power that your HPI does... and its like 110 bucks. so can't go wrong there...

but if you want to keep the nitrostar 15 for whatever reason, run it lean as hell... thats what i did with mine, and it ran for a real long time too the temps were often in the 300 range after long high speed flat out runs in my supernitro. eventually i switched to a fantom 15, and it ran about 220 degrees all the time and was much punchier and faster.

the ideal engine has a high and low speed needle, the nitrostar 15 only has the high, so id highly recommend switching to the os 18. or even a traxxas 2.5 or 3.3... i know traxxas and hpi blah blah blah... but traxxas makes good engines... i just started one of my 2.5s up after sitting for 2 and a half years... started up on the 3rd pull.

 

[McoupeRS4EVO]

^ donno what t-15 you had, but mine had a hsn and lsn.

I just picked up an os 18 cvrx. I havnt even touched it yet, and I'm happy with it. Like the weight reduction compared to the t-15. The ease of use, so on and so forth. The t-15 is a good little engine, i bit more punch than a 15fe, but still doesn't hold a tune very well.

I paid 140 to my door from tower. and I live in Canada. Its definatly the most reliable thing you can do.

 

[Plaidfish]

is the Ultimate Nitro Engine Tuning DVD or book worth picking up for a nitro newbie.

YES, the book is a great reference....the DVD is pretty lame.....

 

[digger]

How about this? http://www.rchobbies.org/cars_eng-tuning.htm
Maybe it'll help? (Only one I kept in my favorites.) Seems like there were a couple of articles here. http://www.rccaraction.com/rc/articles/index.asp

Sounds like it is the lsn.

The idle screw adjusts how far the carb closes. That way it doesn't shut off when you hit the brakes.
Look in your manual to see how far.

 

[LuckyJimMT2]

How about this? http://www.rchobbies.org/cars_eng-tuning.htm
Maybe it'll help? (Only one I kept in my favorites.) Seems like there were a couple of articles here. http://www.rccaraction.com/rc/articles/index.asp

Sounds like it is the lsn.

The idle screw adjusts how far the carb closes. That way it doesn't shut off when you hit the brakes.
Look in your manual to see how far.

That's my next problem. It nearly pulls wheelies now, but even the slightest attempt at braking and it stalls. I've messed with the idle screw, but it doesn't seem to adjust anything. Maybe I need to adjust the servo arm a rotation or two? What is "lsn?" Low Speed Needle? Thanks for all the tips.

 

[RatzoRC]

I did a search on our site and came up with this.
Give it a try.
https://www.rcnitrotalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32563&highlight=tuning+chart