Yea OS is pretty high in price . I have only ever ran a few OS mills over the years because there are so many other options at lower costs. I've never ran a Nova engine, but I have ran Orion Picco based sport engines in the past. I had nothing but issues with them, the worst being the .18 Wasp I used to run in my old Maxx. Never could get that thing running right, though it did last a long time and still ran when I gave it away. The TRX engines were always the same for me, I went through 3 carb bodies on my 2.5R before I finally got one that didn't leak massive amounts of air. That engine ran about 5 gallons through it and then lost all compression. My brother's 3.3 runs hot too for some reason I cannot figure out and I have a terrible time tuning that thing for him. A few other guys I know that run T Maxx stock engines have no issues with them, must be luck of the draw. I always seal up plastic carbs before even running the engine, but that never helped with the TRX engines.

When I bought my z.28R I was also looking at the Picco P3 as a possibility. I settled on the LRP eventually, I think I remember reading about issues with the Picco carbs and leaking bearings, and that the Spec 3 is pretty close in performance to a P3. Either way, it moves my 14+ lb T Maxx easily enough, even pulls rolling wheelies. The z.28 Spec 3 is actually an SH 8 port, I believe it's a little faster and has more torque than the older 6 port Spec 2. So far the only complaints I have are that it's fuel hungry and loads up after 30 seconds or so of idling. It destroys fuel compared to my Kyosho KE.25, but it's also unbelievably more powerful. I got it for $165, I think the Picco was about $200 or so. For the low price the LRP is hard to beat for bashing. I'd like to try the ZR.32 some day as well, maybe when I get my Savage. One thing I love about the LRP and OS engines is that they still use aluminum carb bodies. I've never had any luck with the plastic carbs, so I usually go for aluminum if I can.

I can't seem to find the P3 at all anymore, I think it may be discontinued. Are there Italian big blocks out there that are still budget ranged, like around $220 or lower? I would like to try a Nova engine some day, always wanted to, but can't find much for them anymore either.