We’ve gone nitro! I decided to finally after two and a half decades get into the fuel-burning side of RC. I have always liked nitro and watching the nitro mains is exciting for sure, dare I say a little more so than watching triple A Electric mains. Both are fun, both are exhilarating in their own unique ways but I can definitely see how the sound and strategy of racing with pit stops attracts gear heads. Being a gear head myself since I was a toddler, I think I’ll fit right in with this nitro business.
BUGGY STEERING
I mean, if you want to just watch the video then all the info is there. If you also like to read, this is for you. Let’s start with steering, shall we? Nitro buggy steering is the same as E-buggy, so I went with the T-250. Running on an 8.4V LiPo Receiver Pack, the T-250 provides 315oz/in torque and a .07s/60° transit speed. Plenty of torque and plenty of speed, if not too much speed. I like my servos a little slower so the steering is not so twitchy. A super-fast servo for steering can actually be harder to drive and make you think something is wrong with your car’s setup; when it may just be that your steering is too hyper sensitive.
So to combat this and set up the servo for how I like it to feel, I change the speed of my servo using the HotWire software to .09-.10 transit and adjust the Feel setting down a step or two from the default. This de-tuning process calms the steering down and allows me to be more consistent in hitting my marks, reducing over-steer and just driving more cleanly with a car that isn’t darting around so quick. Smooth is fast and in nitro it’s extremely important to carry corner speed.
TRUGGY STEERING
If you’re curious on truggy servo selection, I’d recommend the T-300 or even the T-360 for extra torque to swing the larger truggy wheels and tires around. At 8.4V the T-300 provides 354oz/in and a .08s/60° transit speed, which is plenty of torque and still slightly faster than necessary, so there is room to fine-tune the servo settings.
THROTTLE & BRAKE
The throttle and brake servo is every bit as important as the steering servo. I chose the T-250, so my servos match and carrying a spare covers both. Since our servos are programmable, they are flexible and give options for virtually any setup. The throttle servo is the servo you want to be lightning fast as it is what’s controlling your acceleration and more importantly, the brakes. Yes, brakes are more important than throttle in my opinion. Anyone can squeeze the trigger and go, but it takes finesse and proper setup of the brakes to slow down as quickly and controlled as possible without destroying your momentum. A car that can’t slow controlled is an uncontrollable car.
The throttle T-250 I leave at full speed, so there is a more direct connection between the trigger finger and the car’s behavior. Too slow of a servo and the throttle is delayed, which throws off jump timing and exiting corners. Too slow to move to engaging the brakes and the brake points are off and the car feels like it is lagging. You ever play an online shooter with a ping of 1000ms+? It’s terrible and that’s what a slow throttle servo will feel like, you’ll always be “behind” and feel disconnected from your car.
TL;DR
T-250s are perfect for buggy and when paired with the powerful HotWire device and software are highly tunable servos that will fit any driver’s needs. T-300 for truggy steering. Super fast throttle and brake servo – Good! Advance your race program with Advanced Technology servos and feel the difference.