rate the nitro 4-tec

[Lootchiano]

What's up, I'm new to the nitro scene and want your opinions. I just bought the nitro 4-tec 2.5. Right now I'm not thinking of racing seriously, just in the parking lot, stuff like that. I want to know on a scale of 1-10, what would you give the 4-tec and why? All feedback is always appreciated.

 

[HumboldtBlazer]

A 4 is the rating I would give it. It is overly heavy with the EZstart, center of gravity is high. It uses cheap plastic where other top manufacturers user Derilin or Carbon fiber. Adjustablility is about 50% of a AE NTC3 or Trinity Reflex. I speak soley from others experiences and the only onroad 1/10 I have owned is a RS4 3. I have seen them run in person and they go real fast in a straight line but when you turn it is when you have issues. It is a great starter car so don't get down on it with my opinion. It is nitro, it is fast, and it will help you learn a lot before you move up a notch to a more expensive car and you won't break the expensive one because you learned on the 4-tec

 

[Error401]

Pretty much what HB said.

I have one of the Pro 15 4tecs and I hate it. It is fast, but when I let off of the gas, forget about any kind of steering control. I adjusted what I could, but nothing seemed to make a difference. The Pro 15 engine was pretty reliable, though it did run hot. To check the feedback on the TRX 2.5, do a search here and see what the guys that run them say. I've heard that they are finaky, but I don't personally own one.

At any rate, good luck with your's, and watch out for the curbs.

 

[sparko]

Great nitro car if your into going 60mph in a straight line. But if your gonna race with this car you will end up pulling your hair out. I myself learned the hard way by trying to polish a turd, I have a RS4 RTR 3 I tried to race. Dumped about 1k into it before i realized there was no way it was ever going to be competitive. I since have purchased a NTC3 and what a huge difference, I actually can make adjustments that show up on the track. If your just getting into racing the NTC3 is the perfect car to start/learn with before you start getting the big money cars like Serpents and Mugens. Good luck tho!

 

[robriguez]

My cousin has the 4-Tec .15 and has has nothing but steering problems with it. Hes on his 3rd chassis (his car must be in love with curbs and such as it is always trying to hump them) Now mind you he can't drive worth a crap but it doesn't help that the car is too fast for its own capabilities. I think its a kewl newbie parking lot basher but will never win any races.

From what little I've been exposed to Nitro racing, its all about cornering and accelleration. While the 4-Tec has good top speed it doesn't have either of the previous.

 

[Error401]

Originally posted by robriguez
I think its a kewl newbie parking lot basher but will never win any races.

Rob, you hit the nail on the head with that. I thought it might have just been mine, but it looks like a systematic problem with the design.

 

[Lootchiano]

Thanks for the feedback yall, like I said, I'm just breaking into the nitro scene and won't be doing any serious racing, alot of parking lot driving. I bought it with the intent to feed two cravings, speed and learning about nitro cars.

 

[Error401]

That it will do. Just be careful and don't push the envelope too quick. The 4 tec is fast, but once the tires break loose you got no control and that could be dangerous. Take what's been posted as a heads up to what to watch out for, use a little common sense and judgement, and you'll have a blast.

 

[nitrohead]

nitro4-tec

Lootchiano - What the others are telling you is true to an extent ,in box stock condition the 4tec is not competive. But what they did not tell you was a few years ago a couple of independant non factory supported racers placed 3 in the roar nationals with a nitro 4tec that had some after market parts from powerline on it. My point is you can make just about any car competive if you got the desire to do so. If it were my car the first thing that I would get rid of is the electro start, I would convert it to a start box system, then I would get rid of those rubber tire and replace them with foams. Also I would buy a micro reciever put it where the battery is and replace the battery with a flat pack rechargable and mount it beneath the radio tray on the side where the reciever orginally was. I had a 4tec pro after making the above modifications it would turn quite well because you have lower the center of gravity. But if you don,t have mechanical skills don,t attemp these modifications, because you will have to do some grinding on the radio tray mounts to get the battery pack to fit right But if you really got the desire you will figure out a way

 

[HumboldtBlazer]

You should be happy with your car, some people would die for a real nitro RC. After being in the sport for a little while it is easy to be jadded once you drive the "Ferrari's and Lambrogini's" of the RC world. A 4 tec is an awesome place to start. After awhile you will feel the need for something more and the natural progression of a better vehicle will happen. Just be careful not to polish the turd as Sparko put it. I too put over $1000 into a RS4 RTR3 and although it's a great beginner, it's no racer. Be happy and drive it like hell.

 

[nitrohead]

nitro-4tec

The one mod I did to my 4tec that improved the handling the most cost next to nothing and that was relocating the radio gear. Just required some sanding so the new flat reciever battery pack would fit.

 

[Lootchiano]

thanx for all the info, you guys are truely helpful.