It's a big-block world...

Radio Control Car Action, Aug 2002 by Vieira, Peter

STARTING LINE

...at least, it's shaping up to be. Kyosho's Mad Force (tested for this issue) marks the company's return to big-block truckdom, and rumors persist that Traxxas' T-Maxx follow-up will be .21-powered. Schumacher has had much success with its .21-equipped I/io-scale "Extreme" truck (and will soon release the Fusion, which shoehorns a big-block mill into a standard-size touring chassis); and traditionally .21-powered 1/8-scale buggies continue to flourish as first-- timer-friendly ready-to-runs. Want proof? Just look at OFNA's huge stable of RTR buggies, the DuraTrax Axis (RC's first RTR big buggy), Hot Bodies' new Lightning and GS Racing's excellent Storm. Big-block conversions are also popular; no fewer than five companies now offer .21 conversion kits for the T-Maxx (we tested the latest from XTM for this issue), HPI's Super Nitro R54 can accept a big-block mill with aftermarket help, and there are no doubt more kits on the way to adapt .21 power to cars normally equipped with .12 or .15 powerplants.

The reason for the popularity of big-block machines is obvious: power. Lots of power. Even the mildest .21 engine makes gobs of it-more than enough to satisfy any "normal" RC guy (power freaks may disagree; see "Backlot"!). But I see an additional, potential benefit to the bigger-isbetter mode that is sweeping nitro RC. AM engine, simply by virtue of its extra displacement, doesn't have to work as hard to propel a vehicle as a smaller engine does. If the engine is working less hard, that must help extend its life. I'm confident the extra ponies could also spin a fairly heavy flywheel without compromising the engine's performance for fun running. Racers and performance-first hobbyists could always go for a lighter flywheel, but for those of us who just want to run all day, a weighty flywheel would help keep that big jug pumping even if we don't have the best tuning skills.

And why not add electric starting? If the Traxxas TRX .15 engine capably hauls a hefty T-Maxx and still has power enough to carry an on-board starter, a big-block can certainly be equipped with a push-button starting system. It's all about fun; nitro power has made great strides in user-- friendliness in the last five years, but I think the fuel-power segment is ready for the next level of convenience and reliability. Wouldn't it be great if your nitro car or truck were as easy to operate as a Toyota Corolla?

That's something to think about!

Until next time ...

Peter Vieira

Executive Editor