XRAY - Model racing cars

I've only been into the R/C scene for about a month now. I started out with a used Ofna Hyper 7 PBS RTR. It was a great car but I quickly realized that even though it's nice to be able to get a car and go, it's much better to put a buggy together so that you know how everything works and makes troubleshooting easier when something breaks.

With that being said, I've decided to go the kit route and figured I might as well start with the best.

With me being new, I'm looking for advice on a first engine for this car. I need an engine for someone on a VERY tight budget. We're talking like $150 max. I'll eventually replace it with one of the nicer engines, but this can be a learner engine for me. Or do you guys think I'd be ok just running the Hyper 8 port temporarily? I was considering the O.S. RG as it seems to be pretty well regarding by most people as a good engine for the price.

Any other suggestions for a newbie?

Also, anything I should look out for that may stump me while putting this kit together? (I just got it yesterday and haven't started yet)

Thanks for all your help in advance!

Troy

For that budget, I recommend the RG, I am going to use it myself for training this nxt. year.

the ofna hyper 8 port race is a good budget engine...

Sportworks .21
RG
Ofna 8 port
STS .21

All good budget motors.

The Hyper is a nice engine but the RG is easier to tune. This might be a moot point if the Hyper has been good to you. If your Hyper is a pullstart then you just need the non-pullstart backplate. The part number is 53017 and costs about $11. I can check if this combination will fit the XB8 tomorrow night as the Hyper engine block is longer than normal to accomodate the turbine fan in the pullstart assembly.

If you are looking to buy a new Hyper then look no further than Ultimate Hobbies (www.ultimatehobbies.com - I'm just another satisfied customer, I don't work there nor am I affiliated with them). Do not order online because their online ordering is not secure. Calling them is the best way to go. I don't think they sell the non-pull version unless you get the Race version but for that price you might as well look into the low-end RB Concepts engines.

The Hyper and Force engines lack quality and power. After half a season of racing both will have airleaks and worn parts.

I would second (or third?) an RG from O.S. RB also has the Econo 3 port engines which are also a good buy. SH has also recently released a ton of engines; as long as these new engines have the power of the few SH's I've dealt with, they'll be good buys also.

Does anyone have any experience with the Novarossi BT-21 SBK's?

I found a pretty good deal on one and was just looking for some opinions?



I'm definitely looking for something easy to tune just because I'm such a newbie.

I also say the STS Dragon .21 or if you find an extra $50 layin around id say the RB S5 or S7II

Merry X-Mas to me!

I couldn't pass this up. Engine looks fairly clean and well taken care of and for $100 I figured it was worth the gamble.

Did I do alright?