Which Novarossi ?

[nitrolight]

Just bought a R40 off e-bay... I've had a rs4 3 for over a year now...
I've always heard and read about how great Novarossi engines are and
I feel it's time to own one... I went to Novarossi's site but was overwhelmed
by how many engines they produce... I'm looking for a .12 and I would be willing to spend up to $325.
Any suggestions as to which model should I get ?
Went to look at Tower-hobbies, is a Trinity Rossi the same as a Novarossi...
Also where is a good place to order from ? Other then Tower-hobbies of course...
Thanks

 

[Bouzouki]

Legal or outlaw?

Nitrohouse has the latest Novarossi engines or RC-Mushroom

I'd look at two engines, the Novarossi Novarossi N12LS3 or N12LL3.

The LL will have more torque, the LS will have more rpms and top end.

You can get a modified LL for $350 at Nitrohouse.

The LS and LL are Novarossi's latest, using Microcast pistons.

If you can spend $350, you can get a RB V12 Rody which is the best engine imo.

 

[sl0eg1n]

i run the Jim Hotts modded Novarossi N12LL3. if you are not a good tuner i don't suggest this motor. it's very sensitive to fluctuations in barometric pressure and humidity. it took me some time to find out what plugs to use in the motors during hot and humid days. the power on this engine is simply amazing when it's tuned right. it's perfect for the low and medium sized tracks.

Max power MX12S3 MF is a powerful engine and easy to tune. Rex RER12S3 and Top TSR12S3 are other good motors.

 

[snowboardgeek1]

Check out acehardwarehobbies.com

RB V12 3 port for 229, 5 port for 249. This motor will hang with my Mugen X12 (which is made by novarossi by the way)...and my X12 costs anywhere from 3-350. Go with the RB motor.

Other motors that are cheaper, and pretty damn fast, are the OS 12TZ, 3 and 5 port motors. For the price, they have some great power.

 

[nitrolight]

Thanks for the tip on Nitrohouse... That definitely seems to be the place
for Novarossi... s10eg1n's comment about hard to tune LL scares me a little... I'm not
a great tuner but I can always get the engine going ( 99% ) and maintain proper temp ( 99% ) ... I'm definitely more interested in torque then high end, and also legal, no outlaw... The RER12S3 and TSR12S3 seem pretty good...

 

[sl0eg1n]

take my word for it. the hot modded N12LL3 is really hard to tune. one day i felt like throwing it across the track from tuning frustration. i had to call jim hottinger numerous times because the humid weather in NYC was playing havoc on my engine. now that i found the tuning sweet spot for the motor, i realized that i have to change my drivetrain setup because of the torque.

if you want an easy to tune modified motor, go for the max power engine. you can get it straight from the manufacturer for $339. this motor screams and it has wide range for the tuning sweet spot.

http://www.rcamerica.com/maxpower/engines.php

 

[Diver6127]

That is exactly what I am using right now ... the MX 12MAXS3. It is a turbo engine but without the "pickiness" of a turbo. Meaning, it doesn't react to every barometric change and humidity level like sl0eg1n's Hottinger LL3. Yeah, you will have to have a "ballpark" plug but it won't be critical. Sl0eg1n's will just run one minute, like a champ, and an hour later, need a different plug! While mine will be putting around the track making laps and being able to take split times so I can adjust accordingly. Better yet, I'm playing while he's praying!

The Massimo Fantini tuned motor is a performer straight out of the box. Even when I was finalizing break-in, it was a beast to control but manageable with practice. X12's, V12's, Top Novarossi, Rex and Novarossis's were all it was up against and reeled them in slowly ... but surely with every lap (as long as I didn't get greedy and mess up). It's a very strong performer and probably a good engine overall. It's a killer on a larger track but not as snappy on a smaller track. At best, med-larger sweeping tracks is where it'll live and breath. It has a lot of torque but practice is needed to master this engine.

 

[Bouzouki]

You can't go wrong with the V12.

The price is also great.

The tunning does seem like a PITA for the LL.

I run a turbo plug for the X12, I use a 5:4 carb restrictor, I suppose it helps tunning.

So far, tunning has been no problem.

 

[nitrolight]

I was just about to ask if the Max were made by Novarossi... Thanks
Bouzouki for the answer... Can anyone tell me how easy the RER12S3 and TSR12S3 are to tune?

 

[Bouzouki]

The Max is based on a Novarossi (I THINK)

It's also obviously modified.

The NSR aka RER/TSR is a solid engine, I don't believe they have tunning problems since the engine is pretty popular.

The new LS should be similer to the old NSR and the LL should be similer to the old RR.

LL/RR - Long stroke = torque

LS/NSR - Shorter stroke = more rpms

Personally, I like short stroke engines, depends on the track as well.

For a tight track, the LL is probably the way to go.

For a big, open, 1/8 scale type track, the LS is probably the way to go.




If you want a modified engine, look at the RB V12 Rody or Max, they are also more expensive, in the $350 range.

The non-modified engines you can get for around $270 from RC-Mushroom.

 

[Diver6127]

I was just about to ask if the Max were made by Novarossi...

Novarossi,Mugen, Novamega, Top, Rex, RB, Max, Sirio ... they're all nova based engines. The submanufacturers tune them to varying needs. Some are better on Large sweepeing tracks, some are better on tight technical tracks. Also depends on driving style and finesse.

An average person with moderate tuning skills and patience can get these engines to run. Most manufactureres are putting these out with turbo buttons more and more instead of standard plugs. The only difference between the two is that turbos have a smaller "sweet spot" when compared to standard plugs. It's the modified engines that make tuning a little bit more challenging but not impossible. It all depends on what you have done to the engine. A regular "mod" will be more forgiving than a "full option" mod.

 

[sl0eg1n]

i have experience tuning the rer12s3 and tsr12s3. both are fairly easy to tune for a turbo plug motor. the TSR12 is much easier than the rer12s3. performance wise, the TSR12S3 spools up faster because the power band is in the low to mid range RPMS.

 

[nitrolight]

Well I think that probably makes my decision... I'm going to go with the
TSR12.
One of the reasons I love this hobby, other then the sheer joy I get when I see my
car pounding around the track and everything working right, is how cool and helpful
everyone is...
Thanks everyone for the input !

 

[sl0eg1n]

you'll like that engine. i know a racer that used that engine (stock) at the great lakes challenge and he placed 2nd in the B-main with that engine. his engine has over 5 gallons of fuel run through it.

if you want it modified, you can send it to jim hottinger for around $75. he's the distributor of Top Novarossi. unfortunately, he is currently recovering from surgery and may not be able to modify your motor in time. The engines must be new in order for any modifications to be done.

 

[nitrolight]

I'll probably keep is stock... I'm interested in doing a few novice club races early next year... Never officially raced with others yet but the appeal is too strong I just have to get over panicking when other cars are around mine... I just need to stay calm and get more experience...