Any thoughts on the best engine for an RXB? Is it correct that I have to stay at or below 21 for racing? I am not worried about that too much, but wanted to be sure I knew. I am looking for something with tons of low end power and good high rpm capability to open up the top speed. Something that holds a tune well. I am thinking maybe between $150 and $250.

I have thought about the XTM 457, the SH28 Pro, the SH 21 Pro Buggy and a basic SH28 3 port with the XTM 457 sleeve.

I am also curious about OS, but my thought is that they are not as good a value (more $ for the same performance).

I would also like input about Go, Axial, HPI, LRP and anything else you think worth mentioning.

Thanks!

Most 1/8 buggy racing they want a .21.  For torque and rpm, a .28 will give you torque and the more ports, the more rpm.  For the money, the axial .28 spec1 is a bargian, you get a .28 with 8 ports, i run one in my losi aftershock and I am very happy with it.

Sh 28 with a 6 port you won't regret it, trust me...............It takes abit of modding to get it in but well worth it.

PT2009-XB1 SH 21 Pro Buggy Engine, '09 8-Port - ABC its on sale right now and if you want it to do its best run the SH SA216FS Tuned Pipe System - 1/8 Buggy, Chrome, EFRA2060 / only way you can do better for the price is a lessor engine and have it modded

if you can find a picco .21 then buy buy buy!!!!! its 100 dollars great low end and insane top end.

Brian...here is what guys are running here....dynamite .21 (dont know which model but has a red head, the one running it in the expert class is always in the top 3) go.21 5 port (guy with the dynamites son, in a hyper 9 it hauls a$&) a novarosse 5 port and a couple others I'm not for sure...you will most likely have to run .21 unless you run in novice and your buggy comes with something different....

I have a 8 port sh and still trying to figure out why I dont have any low end....I'm hoping tuesday my answer arrives...lol



just found my trouble (didnt have time this week to tear down)....I assume when your clutch shoes are worn at the end down to the spring they are shot...lol...oh well life does go on,..lol

For buggies, sanctioned races require a max of .21ci. But if you are only racing club level and your track does not use sanctioned racing rules, put in whatever engine you want and is best for you.

If you are strictly going to be in club level racing, all of the above engine you mentioned are okay; they are mid-grade or "called "Sport" engines. And the "Sport" engines are not bad for your budget.
Out of these mid-grade engines, I would recommend you not even consider the HPI or Axial engines because for your price range, there are so much better engines. You mentioned three SH sngins: the SH itself, the XTM, and LRP (Yes, XTM and LRP are made by Golden Lion AKA SH Engines too). The best SH engine is the LRP Z.28 Spec1 and that is easily within your budget.
Another engine that is totally killer is the Picco .28 engines. These cost a little more, just under $200 USD, but once you master tuning these, these engines will make the HPI K4.6, F4.6, and Axial .28 Spec1S look like crying babies. Heck, even the LRP .28 will outdo the HPI and Axial engines. You can find a Picco 28 for just under $200 USD
http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...r-Truck-Engine
The Picco .28 also comes in a Buggy/Truggy form if you dont like the pull start.

But if you want to try to go into sanctioned racing, you might look at the race grade .21 ci engines. OS ,21 VZ-B, the older OS .21 VSpecs, The GRP MR.21 engines (also sold as Mugen MR .21), Picco .21 P7R Evo, the various Novarossi.21 engines will really make your buggy come to life. Match a good pipe in it and you will have as much power as the other serious racers at the sanctioned events.
Let me warn you, these race grade engine are not cheap. They will easily cost TWICE as much as your entire RC roller!

I forgot to also add, as far as the OS engines, the VZ-B and older VSpec are the ones to get.

Totally SKIP the OS .21VG engine, it is exactly what you said, cost too much for about the same performance. I have no idea why OS even bothered in making the VG engines, they are a far cry from so many of their other great engines.

Eddie,
Was this engine easy to tune?

Yes, its a great engine and nothing out there compares to it for the price,  you can pick one up on ebay or many other places for $130.   There are 3 needles, low/mid/high

put the restricter that come with iit in for fuel conservation. and never..never never never touch the mid. i have one in my savage basher and my friends got one he tuned the mid a hair and now he has a new engine that he cant even use. i run 30% in everything i have so i do alot of tuning during break in on all my rc's. i tune the top and the low and it was perfect. and it keeps a good tune. the only engine that was ready for 30 out of the box was the .21 Go 7port i have. axial makes good affordable motors. 125cc gas tank. restrictor in place. 8 minute run time.

3 out on that mid should get you going pretty good.

$100 USD? That is damn cheap for a .21 ci Picco P7R Evo! And surprisingly, for a .21, this engines has an advanced timing profile and it will do a number on several of the .28 engines mentioned earlier.

There are a couple of guys in RCU who mods these and after they get through with the engine and you match it to a good pipe, this engine has some serious power to put onto the track. And every single one of the .28s we mentioned above will not be able to touch an RC equipped with these.

yes but every single one of the .28's mentioned are not modified, ported or polished. If you were to work most of those engines, they would toast that picco. I dont see that .21 beating the axial .28 spec1 or the 6 port sh.21/xtm

all my 28`s would dust a pico 21 I don`t even need to give proof of that.

i wanna race ya. you can bring anything.

lol, CHALLENGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Daddy I have too much power and my driving skillz are about as good as a drunk newfie with 2 bad eyes. You race I don`t, I just know that I have race engines and I know what a modded 28 can do. A modded sh28 will kill a 3.3 or a 427 argue all you want I have them all.

whats a drunk Newfie?

I think i will have to take a world tour and manhandle everyone!!!

what he was when he wrote that, I think [sm=bananahead.gif]

it`s a canadian that lives in newfoundland we make fun of them lol. It`s just a canadian thing.

Brian....you just looking to bash or get on the racing scene?.....

I found out what dynamite .21 2 guys at the track are running...its the mach2....and like I said the guy in the expert class that runs one (I remind you this is club racing) is one of the fastest and most consistant drivers on the track...he says its hard to beat em, especially for the money....his son runs a go 5 port and is fast but not as consistant...a guy in the sportsman class is running a novarossi 5 port and actually ran with the big dogs this weekend and took 2nd (best he has drivin since I started racing)...for the most part unless I look at the engine as they go by I really cant see much of a difference...the cheaper dynamite can hit the back doubles just as easy as the other engines if not easier (you havta have pretty good low end to nail em consistantly, they are right after a turn)..also one guy is running a stock losi 8eight 2.0 rtr and he is new...he has been practicing ALOT and it shows...cause he can run around the track really well with his stock engine....

if you want my .02 and your actually wanting to take it to the track...your driving skills is whats going to make ya or break ya....I've personally seen a $115 engine not only run with but beat $200 to $300 engines week after week....really I think you could race the rxb-1 straight outta the box in a beginer class and do well with it...but IMO the stock sport engines arent built as well or with the same quality materials as the higher end engines the companies make....but for beginers class it will get your feet wet and you can see the other engines perform at the track your at to see what everyone runs

I guess you might say that engine preference is just that... a preference....buzz around my track is a go MIGHT get you 5 or 6 gallons...havent asked about the others (ive been looking into the go's)....but I've heard mention that the osvg,s wont get many gallons and the grp's are good long lifers....but yeah...think its more a preference

your 100% right, its consistency that wins a race, you can have a high dollar engine but if your all over the track and the marshal becomes your best friend, you will never place in any top position.

it can be a drag in big field thats fine. nothing to hit. youre terms. i have smoked all offroad challenger's that i have been against offroad dragging. my biggest trophy was a revo with a modified lrp .28. it was hard not to keep my mouth shut after that. the picco .21 is the hidden unsung engine in the racing world and i like that because they stay cheap. the only engine i would be sweating is any grp .21 or the ninja or that blasted picco p-3 .28.
the top end on the picco in the books is bull i think. anybody i have raced against with sick engines and there comin up on me or i need to catch up to them, the power was there in that little picco and it will always be my starter or backup.