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About engine

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Summary

Pipe

Larger/longer pipe

  • More bottom-end power

Smaller/shorter pipe/less volume

  • More top-end power

Header

Longer header

  • More bottom-end power

Shorter header

  • More top-end power

Also see our tips on head clearance, fuel, and glow plugs.

Related settings

head clearance
fuel (nitro)
glow plugs

Learn more

Nitro Engine Break-in with Adam Drake
Engines

Nitro Engine Break-in with Adam Drake

Nitro engines for RC need to be run in properly to get the best performance - learn how to do this from Adam Drake, one of the all-time best!

Ultimate Guide to Nitro Engine Tuning from JQ Racing
Engines

Ultimate Guide to Nitro Engine Tuning from JQ Racing

Settle in for this one - it's over an hour, and has great production value (and is hilarious!) But if you want to know how a carb works, how the needle valves work, how to adjust your idle, or anything else involved with nitro tuning, you must check this out.

How to Break In a Nitro Engine
Engines

How to Break In a Nitro Engine

JQ explains the nitty gritty of why you should break in your engine, what the point is, and why it's perfectly fine for you to do it yourself without hiring an outside service.

RC Air Filter Setup Guide for 1/8 Off-Road
Engines

RC Air Filter Setup Guide for 1/8 Off-Road

The Drake explains how to property mount and prep the air filter for 1/8 scale RC racing.

How to Set Up an RC Starter Box
Engines

How to Set Up an RC Starter Box

Adam Drake, Mugen factory driver, explains how to set up your starter box including how to ensure the car is perfectly aligned on top for consistent starting and to avoid damaging your engine.

RC Engine Tuning for Low Nitro Fuel
Engines

RC Engine Tuning for Low Nitro Fuel

Adam Drake, Mugen Seiki factory driver, offers tuning tips for engines running fuel with 25% or less nitro, a situation more and more common as environmental controls extend to more countries.

RC Engine Break-in with Robert Batlle
Engines

RC Engine Break-in with Robert Batlle

Robert walks us through all the important aspects of breaking in an engine for RC racing use.

RC Nitro Engine Tuning with Adam Drake
Engines

RC Nitro Engine Tuning with Adam Drake

Adam walks you through the basics of getting the most performance out of your engine and how to break it in.

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