While electric models may be less expensive and easier to operate, gas-powered R/C cars and trucks have the definite edge when it comes to realism and performance. They are NOT powered by gasoline; they use a special fuel, commonly referred to as "glow fuel" or "nitro." Gas cars offer longer run-times and faster speeds out of the box.

For most gas cars, you will need the radio, engine, fuel, and field accessories.

Radio & Accesories

You can control a gas R/C vehicle with the same type of 2-channel radio system used for an electric model. The one difference is that you will also need batteries to power the receiver in your vehicle. These are typically 4 or 5 cell packs made of AA or 1/2A size batteries. These packs are used to provide power to the receiver and servos.

Engine & Accessories

Most gas-powered R/C models are powered by small, 2-cycle, "glow" engines. They burn a nitromethane-based fuel that includes special lubricants for engine protection. Glow engines use glow plugs to keep the engine running, in the same manner that real cars use spark plugs. Engines are available in several configurations and sizes.

Engine Sizes
There are 3 common sizes of engines used in R/C: .12 ci, .15 ci, and .21 ci. The smaller engines are typically used in 1/10 scale cars and trucks, while the larger .21 engines are used mainly in 1/8 scale cars.

Carburetors
The two types of carburetors are slide and rotary (or barrel). The slide carb slides open and closed from left to right. The rotary carb rotates open and closed. The most common type is the rotary carb. Slide carbs are said to make more power and to be smoother in operation, but there is really no evidence to suggest that this is true. Most cars on the market are set up to use slide carbs. It is very difficult to convert most of these to slide, but it can be done.

Exhaust
The two exhausts are rear and side. Side exhausts are most common and are what most cars are set up for. Rear exhausts are said to give more power, but there is no evidence to support this. Most cars are set to accept a side exhaust engine. This makes rear exhaust engines less common.

Starting Method
There are also two ways to start the engines. The least expensive and most common is the pull start. This is very similar to what you would find on a lawn mower. The second method uses a starter box (a motor with a flywheel on it that engages the crank on the engine and turns it over). These are more expensive to begin with, but are much easier to use than a pull start. Traxxas Corporation has recently introduced their EZ-Start system which uses an on-board motor and gearbox with a seperate hand-held battery to turn over teh engine and light the glow plug at the same time. This sytem is a nice blend of starter box and pull start.

Fuel & Field Accessories

You will need Fuel, Fuel Bottle, and a Glow Starter to get any gas car running. If you have a non-pull start engine, you'll also need a starter box and battery for it.

There are many types of fuels available, but it's best to go with what the manufacturer or the hobby shop recommends.
There are also different options available in glow starters. You can get a glow plug clip, which uses a separate 1.5V hobby battery, or you can get a rechargable NiCd glow starter, which are easier to use, but cost more.

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