Subscribe to the Model Kits newsletter!
Pro Tips
How To Cut Tire FoamsFor those who don't know, tire foams are pieces of circular foam that fit into the tire to give it support since most RC tires aren't pneumatic, or filled with air. This is a step by step guide...
How To Store RC TiresPeople that are new to the RC hobby may not realize how big of deal it is to store your tires correctly, especially if you are planning on decent performance from them. This article will show you a couple different ways...
How To Store Your RC CarStoring your car - what's the big deal? What could hurt it while it just sits there, not even being driven? Well, a lot of things can happen to your RC car while it is in storage.
Making A Temporary Drive PinEveryone hates going out to an awesome bash spot or their favorite race track and having their RC break down on them. One common problem is the drive pins. There is, however, a quick and easy solution to this problem...
Prolonging RC Body LifeIt’s no secret that rc car bodies wear out. There are ways to extend the life of your body, though. Normally, the first part of a lexan body to wear out are the holes where the body posts...
RC Engine TuningWhat should you do to properly tune your RC engine? There are many different theories and opinions on how to tune properly and effectively, and we discuss exactly how to do it properly in this article.
Proper RC Nitro Engine Break-inSo you just unboxed that new rc car with a brand new engine. Before you take it outside and start racing it, you should properly break-in the engine so it will run at peak performance. We discuss how in this article.
Choosing Rechargeable BatteriesWhich types of rechargeable batteries are right for your RC system? In this article we examine four of the most popular battery types, LiPo, NiMH, NiCd, and LiFe.
RC Articles
RC Powertrains 101
RC vehicles are powered by a myriad of methods. Gravity, wind, updrafts, steam, internal combustion engines, electricity, you name it there's probably an RC that uses it. The most commonly used methods...
RC Powertrains 102
Before I cover the finer points of 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines, first I want to go over how engines work in the first place. Engines have one goal in life: To turn heat into rotation. Engines get this heat from a fuel of some sort.
RC Powertrains 103
Two-stroke engines are very commonplace in RC. Fact is, cars use them 100% (to date no ready-to-run has ever come out with a 4-stroke, and OS has discontinued the two short-run car 4-stroke they did make), and aircraft still use...
RC Powertrains 104
Four strokes are significantly more complex. They have all the parts of a two stroke, but on top of that, they have at least two valves in the cylinder head, rocker arms, pushrods, and a camshaft driven off the crankshaft.
Crawler Suspension 101
Crawlers are all about being able to flex on the rocks. This is what is known as suspension articulation and it's really what makes a crawler a crawler. For the crawler to flex like this, however, the correct...
Battery Charge History Log
You may be wondering what the heck I'm even talking about, but I promise you I'm not completely crazy! A battery cycle log is a history of charges and discharges with detailed information on how long...
Building An RC For A Novice
Sometimes it isn't all about being so powerful with that new brushless motor system or big block nitro engine that your vehicle flips over on its lid at the touch of the throttle. Sometimes, it's all about...
Installing Jato Drive Shafts
It's no doubt that running your Rustler on a 3s LiPo and a high performance brushless combo is a whole lot of fun. But, this can bring with it some unwanted and annoying drive train failures with the stock drive shafts.
Imex Street Burner Tires Review
Tires are expensive - it's a fact. Whether they are real full size tires on your 1:1 car or tires on your RC, they can cost you an arm and a leg. There are some budget options out there, though, so don't worry...
Advanced Guide To RC Transmitters
Have you ever wondered just exactly how your thumb's movements are translated into burnouts? It's a pretty simple process, which this article should explain. The main component in action is radio waves. They're everywhere...
Toy Grade vs. Hobby Grade RC
Many people who are getting into the hobby or are just wondering what the RC hobby is all about aren't even quite sure what the difference is between toy and hobby grade RCs. This article will explain the primary differences...
Turnigy Lipo Battery Review
Everyone's "going LiPo" nowadays, but it's just too expensive for you, right? Wrong! Buying from budget places like HobbyKing, which is where this battery is from, can allow you to stretch your budget...
RPM Camber Links Review
I love my Traxxas Rustler VXL to death, but in all honesty it does have its fair amount of weak points. One of these is the camber links.
Traxxas Ultra Shocks Review
I have owned several Traxxas vehicles and never used these exact shocks, so I thought it would be appropriate to put these through a thorough and rigorous test as I do with all my test products.
Aluminum Transmission Casing Review
Everyone likes a little bit of bling on their RC, right? The Golden Horizon aluminum transmission casing for the Traxxas Rustler, Bandit, Stampede and 2wd Slash does just that, and more.
EXI Digital Servo Review
Buuuuzzzzzzzz. buuuzzzz. Don't worry, there isn't a bee hovering in your ear, but rather one noisy servo. This is what this servo from HobbyPartz.com sounds like almost constantly. While this can be annoying when sitting on the workbench...
BSD Infrared Thermometer Review
Everyone who is into RC needs a no-touch thermometer. At one point or another just about everyone has burned up an electric motor or maybe even damaged a nitro engine. One of the best ways to prevent this, however, is to...
Preparing Your RC For Transmitter Use
The radio is a pretty important part of your rc car. It is the method through which we control it, the interface between man and machine. Like the rest of the car, there's some tinkering to be done, and it can be a bit daunting...