The motor it comes with should be plenty of power for someone new to nitro.The SS was my very first real r/c and i've never had any problems with it.Get yourself a good radio tower hobbies has the Futaba 3PDF on sale right now for 179$$ along with lots of other ones.Get the HPI fiber brake because the stock plastic one wears out fast and take your time putting it together and follow the break in procedure and you'll have a blast with it.