Originally Posted by
Maxximize
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.
The P3 has been discontinued for some time. They were replaced with a new line of engines. I believe it's either the Torque or Boost series. The Piccos are still more expensive, but IMO, they're a more refined engine. The fit and finish is fantastic. The P3 I have I got from my LHS for $180 NOS. It's an absolute beast. I have no issues with it at all. The front bearing weeps some oil, but really, you want it to. That means the front bearing is getting lubed. I modified my P3 a little bit and even though it's set up pretty mildly, it is heaps faster and more powerful than my SH .28 6port and Mach 427. There is really no comparison whatsoever - the Picco blows the doors off the SH which I felt was quite powerful and strong. Piccos are a bit picky on glow plugs though. I'd buy another Picco if I found another NOS one.
As to other big blocks, Novarossi has come down in price considerably. I recently picked up a Legend .28 8-port turbo for $169 from Novarossidirect.com. The cheapest SH based engine I'd seen online was $200 and that was a 3-port .28. The Novarossi comes in standard bumpstart, rotostart, and pullstart. The one-way shaft is sealed with an o-ring which is a nice feature. They have a Revo/T-Maxx engine for $124. It's only a .15, but it probably blows the doors off the Traxxas engines in a lot of ways.
Ive been finding these engines will in fact run hotter (significantly in some cases) if you use too hot of a glow plug. Matching the pipe and manifold to the engine is crucial too. My Picco ran hot on a medium heat plug and long manifold. Changing to a cold plug and a shorter manifold made it a completely different engine. With a sharp but rich tune that gives crazy top end and a nice idle drop only runs at 210F on pavement. It was like a light switch once I put the short manifold on it. It blew my mind. So my suggestion for the hot running Traxxas engines - use a good fuel for starters. Next would be find a better pipe and manifold, and put a colder plug in it. I'm ordering some Picco medium plugs to try in my engines, but an MC9 McCoy has been working incredible so far. I'm working on fixing some stuff in my other LST2 that will get the Legend .28-8. I'm gonna get it modified too. Should make it a crazy truck. The Picco powered LST2 will spin all 4 tires off the line without breaking a sweat. An FWIW, the Picco carb on the latest P3s is fantastic. I'll be running in the Legend soon, and I'll put a small review up on it in the engines section.
I probably will never recommend another SH based mill after my experience with these Picco and Novarossi engines. They're just incomparable to SH engines in so many ways.