Cheap SH PT21A0 vs. expensive OS Speed FP-02 let's discuss the first Nitro racing engine you buy

[@oddeman3489]

for me half the fun is the tinkering the smell oil and sound from nitro's, 👍

[@SweetTooth10]

🤣😂🤣😂 I know a few people who quit the hobby after one crash because they didn’t wanna deal with the maintenance. 👨‍🔧

[@hybrid32494]

hey Todd! great points on the engines!

[@s.o.sSavage]

Your videos are great and appreciate all your information .

[@allaspectsrc4178]

Always a good watch and the information is always something I can use appreciate the knowledge

[@Ryan-hq6db]

Thank you for answering my question. You did a good job of covering the pros and cons of each as well as viewing the pros and cons from different perspectives. You have given me a lot to think about. Thanks again

[@a2rc]

Todd has been good about responding in his own way to questions 💯 Nice work Todd

[@Mrefficientkobe]

Awesome job man I love nitro and your so correct about learning and fixing I love that about nitro

[@bowi73]

yes totally right, my friend you got to learn with experience , and we need more nitro people 👍😉 good one

[@NitroNerd309]

I love my PT21AO. You’re the reason I bought one. It was a huge pain in the ass to get started for the first time. The pinch was beyond ridiculous and it chewed up my starter wheel just breaking it in. It’s also been a little finicky to get tuned but it runs well when it gets good and hot. I’m hoping as it continues to loosen up the easier it will be to tune.

[@NitroTalkwithTodd]

They are known for super low, tight pinch. I worried that it may be hard on the connecting rods, but I haven't heard of any rod issues. Mine are at 4-5 gallons and still have tight pinch. What percentage fuel are you running? You may need to add the head shim, would help with tuning.

[@NitroNerd309]

@@NitroTalkwithTodd I’m running 30% VP. I had the extra .01 head shim in it for break in, but took it back out after you had mentioned something about it.

[@NitroTalkwithTodd]

@@NitroNerd309 I took it out after around 2 gallons, but I've been running 20%. I think you may need to add .2

[@NitroNerd309]

@@NitroTalkwithTodd I’ll do that. Thanks for the help brother. I always enjoy watching your videos.

[@jayp9299]

Man this is one of the best commentary videos you have made for a bit. I agree with everything you said. Love it

[@Pandaphobia_RC]

Thanks for the great Nitro content👍

[@johnbravo7542]

Fascinating video Todd ,and makes a lot of sense. Also as I'm new to your channel,haven't checked yet to see if you've made a "Break in" video.

[@tarekkhoury5384]

Well put and said, couldn’t agree more

[@Nitrorcvlog]

Nice video my friend very good info keep them coming !!!

[@cbh148]

I agree Todd. Also, I've recently heard that O.S. Speed engines are more vulnerable to engine temps getting too high. That is to say, they said that an O.S. will be damaged / more damaged if it reaches, say, 310 F compared to most all the other brands, which generally won't get damaged at the same temp and will retain pinch all afterwards. Not sure if that's true but I feel like my Samurai went through something like this, and my SH PT21-AO has been my favorite, longest lasting nitro engine so far, having just hit the 5.0 gallon mark on the original piston/sleeve last weekend.

[@ShadowOppsRC]

I have had good luck with sh myself. On a budget sh all day long in my opinion.

[@cbh148]

@@ShadowOppsRC Agreed. Very solid option.

[@islandrc-duke1972]

great video and information

[@SweetTooth10]

😔I can’t lie I’m a lot a bit discouraged with my nitro. 1st mistake was buying it used from offer up, 🤦🏾‍♂️ $180, Hpi rs4 racer 2 Bought a brand new engine plus labor $379, only for my bell crank to break, replaced it $20 and now my car over revs for no reason. 🤷🏾‍♂️I’m only 4 tanks into breaking it in but I gave up and bought the Arrma Felony. But after watching this I’ll give nitro a go again. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@NitroTalkwithTodd]

This is a tale as old as time. The nitro learning curve strikes again. I hate to see someone get discouraged. It's usually something simple, but you have to know what to look for and that only comes with experience. Is there a race track in your area? If you can find a nitro guy locally to take a look, we are generally pretty keen on helping out. So over revving during break in is usually caused by one of two things. Improper linkage setup, or a lean fuel mixture. The carb should be set to idle. Make sure that the carb is only open 1mm or less. Does it rev immediately or when it heats up? Do you turn the radio on? If you have a small carb gap and it isn't moving, you probably need to richen up the low speed needle. If it is moving, you need to properly setup your carburetor linkage. Let me know what you figure out, or if there's anything I can do.

[@FYRC15]

Todd love all your vids. Watch them all. It would be awesome if you felt there was a spot for a review on the OS Max .25XZ. I need to see if there are another piston and sleeve that would work with that. I recently did one on my channel and would love to see your take and opinion on the engine. I have lost the pinch in mine. I always ran it in my vintage MBX5 T. Go Nitro!!

[@jimmyg.2606]

Just send the piston and sleeve to RCRenew to have it re pinched. You don't need to buy a new piston and sleeve. You can have it re pinched multiple times.

[@FYRC15]

@@jimmyg.2606 Yeah I have thought about that but they just don’t last as long. However, I’m not going to be running it to much so I might revisit that idea. I also would still like to hear Todds review on that .25 anyway. I appreciate your feedback Jimmy. Love the RC community!

[@adamc85007]

Something of interest is that OS seem to do regional pricing. Japan and Australia are way cheaper to import to USA than to buy locally. I have also seen people put the OS 21J carb on the SH and it's a great engine.

[@RcOffroad9513]

I just bought a GS Racing r21 pbx with pipe on eBay. I have been breaking it in, a few days ago, and it seems like a decent engine? I can't find any info? I see old GS rqcing buggies and engines. Any thoughts?

[@NitroTalkwithTodd]

I took a look at the listing, it appears to be very similar to other upper mid-level SH engines. Since it is standard plug not turbo it is probably very similar internally to an SH PT-003 or a dynamite platinum 21XP. Should make plenty of power. It has the dynamite style metal carb, which works better than the composite of the same era.

[@RcOffroad9513]

@NitroTalkwithTodd Thanks for the response, I paid 350 for a reds r5r. I don't think it is much better than this engine, if at all. But I will find out. I e put 9 tanks through it about a half a gallon of 10/30 Flashpoint. I get it for 30 a gal from a local mugen racer. Awesome fuel. Thanks man!

[@a2rc]

100% agree on the low idle topic Todd. The engine and setup shows it’s self/quality when able to run a low clean idle. - On the topic of by lower price engine. I tend to try and suggest to spend as much as you can (without over stretching). That means stay in your budget but, I would rather someone spend more than less to have a bit more quality and last longer. - To your point, folks need to spend money on quality. Save up the extra 100$ (for example) to get a better quality item. - For the first time nitro person, I never suggest buying the cheapest thing (if they can help it). That just gets you in trouble and possibly discouraged. Over time, things will happen and you will learn from them. Having a quality engine and build goes a long way - I think a good balance for a new comer, that wants to get into racing (or even bashing for that matter) would be, spend more % money on the kit/buggy and a little less on the engine. That way you have the quality platform and they can grow into a better engine in time. All great topics and nice vid Todd 🩷

[@a2rc]

@@SNAFU.. I'm not sure if you are responding to me or Todd's vid but, I'm not sure I ever said "buy the cheapest thing". Nor did I make a statement about a specific brand or manufactures location either. If you are referring to SH/Golden Lion in you comment well, they are actually made in Taiwan. - My note to Todd/others above on his vid, talks about choosing something that is quality driven over cost (finding a balance that fits your platform, budget) and experience level. Wait and Save up to buy something a bit better kind of mentality, etc if possible - I understand that your thoughts are/may be different (which is perfectly ok) but, I would never suggest to a new comer to spend 2k on any RC as a starting point (nitro or electric). At the same time, I would never suggest HSP (as an example) to anyone. Though they have their place in the hobby.

[@islandrc-duke1972]

great video and information