Fast Gas RC Car

Overview

Speed is not the only factor that RC car hobbyists and enthusiasts consider. However, it is undeniable that most of them really pay attention to how fast a certain RC car model goes. This is very common, especially to people who are very much inclined to RC car racing cause when it comes to racing, there is really no such thing as too much speed. RC car racers and drivers would really love to go as fast as they can but, of course, without compromising their car’s overall performance.

Indeed, RC cars have greatly improved over the years and are now very versatile in speed and design. If you are very interested in gas RC cars that are fast enough to get your adrenaline pumping, you will surely enjoy reading this article.

How gas-powered RC cars work

Many RC car hobbyists love gas-powered cars since they can give you really feels and fun when racing. Gas RC cars burn a gasoline-like fuel with the use of tiny or miniature internal combustion engines. The fuel is commonly made of methanol, nitromethane, and lubricant. The electric motor is powered by a battery, usually of 7.4 volts lithium polymer. The engine turns a boot shaft just beneath the engine, which rotates the crankshaft until a fuel draws the engine suction. When starting is successful, a glow bulb which is equivalent to a spark plug is illuminated in the engine as an indicator.

Moreover, the hotplug element combined with a compressed fuel-air mixture will ignite the fuel when the piston activates. Because of this, the plug will continue to work to keep the fuel burning until your car is ready to stop.

Information on gas RC cars

Gas-powered cars are known to be more realistic and advanced in comparison to electric-powered RC cars. They have better run time as it depends on the amount of fuel you can put in your RC car’s tank. Gas-powered RC cars are also more resistant to drastic changes in weather and can be used in varying weather conditions as well.

However, your gas RC cars may require frequent repair and maintenance, and we can’t deny the engine noise they can produce. Yet, despite these cons, many RC car hobbyists and enthusiasts are still inclined to get these gas RC cars because of their power and speed and their high responsiveness to user commands, and their versatility.

When it comes to gas RC cars, you will have to get their fuel separately. Also, if you want to be able to run your RC car for a longer period of time, you might want to make sure that you have additional fuel in stock for emergency purposes. Gas RC cars are also known to be a lot more affordable than electric ones; however, it can depend on the price of the fuel and how much you can consume; petrol ones are much cheaper than nitro fuel cars. The gas used to fill in the fuel tank offers a remarkable and longer running time compared to battery-operated ones. These gas RC cars are really fun to tune-up, customize, and upgrade as well; that is why many seasoned enthusiasts love this type of RC car.

What gas to use?

True gas-powered remote control cars are usually 1:5 in scale or even larger, and they also have spark plugs. If you have gas-powered RC cars, they can run on gasoline mixed with motor oil, similar to your usual car. It will take a bit larger gas engine to produce the same amount of power as a nitro-powered engine. And that is for the reason that the methanol/air mixture produces more energy than gasoline/air mixture during combustion. So technically, you will be adding more weight to your vehicle for the same amount of power. You may also be able to buy RC cars that are diesel-powered. It is important to know what kind of fuel you will need to use for your gas-powered RC cars to avoid damages and engine failure.

Gas ignition system

As mentioned above, gas engines utilize spark plugs, whereas the nitro engine ones use glow plus to ignite the fuel-air mixture. That is why RC gas engines require onboard ignition systems that provide electricity to the spark plug at precisely the right time. There are two types of electronic ignition systems being used with gas engines: magnetos and electronic ignition.

Magnetos utilize magnets attached to the rotating crankshaft to create electrical pulses for the spark plug at the correct time. Having magnetos eliminates the need for an onboard battery; however, they can add weight to the engine. An engine with a magneto ignition system should start with an electric starter similar to a nitro engine.

Electronic ignition, on the other hand, is the most commonly used one nowadays. This type of ignition system uses a separate battery to provide electricity to the RC car’s spark plug. Starting the engine by hand will be possible because of this. When it comes to RC cars with electronic ignition, the timing of the spark is indeed critical to maximize engine power. The electronic ignition system will adjust the timing depending on the engine’s RPM.

Gas RC cars need cool air.

Like every other engine, RC car gas engines need cool air. A nitro engine will use methane in the fuel as a coolant, and when the fuel is being pulled into the carburetor, the methanol will then vaporize. This requires a significant amount of energy to vaporize the methanol. The energy is being brought about from pulling heat from the engine; that is why gasoline engines will need more air across the cooling fins than nitro engines. If you have a gas RC car, you will have to pay attention to aiding in the cooling of the engine for your RC car to run and function efficiently.

Pros and cons of gasoline engines

Pros

• Fuel for gasoline RC cars are relatively cheaper than the glow engine ones.
• Lesser chances of getting your RC car messy and slimy with oil.
• Gas RC cars are easy to tune up and fix.
• Gas engines are very reliable and powerful as well.
• Gas-powered remote control cars have built-in fuel pumps.
• Very realistic when it comes to functionality.

Cons

• They can be prone to radio interference.
• Gas engines have a lower power-to-weight ratio in comparison to nitro engines.
• You might need two more batteries for the ignition and receiver.
• Additional cooling might be required since gas engines heat up pretty quickly.

Final thoughts

There is no doubt that many RC car enthusiasts and hobbyists are inclined to put their hands on gas RC cars. Gas engines hold tunes more consistently, and the needle changes are remarkably minor. Gasoline is also generally a lot cheaper, and the engines powered by gas are more efficient. However, you may notice that gas RC cars can only come on a larger scale and tend to be heavier than other RC cars. Whatever your choice may be, it is important that you are able to enjoy and make the most out of your RC car.