Is 3.8 motor the best?

Lel · #1 02-06-2003, 02:30 AM

I've noticed that this site's online store, as well as other retailers sell motors ranging from 1.0 all the way up to 3.8 and the new r-spec and formula 34. My question is, why would you want to get a 1.6, 2.6, or 3.0? Do they offer more torque than their larger counterparts, because if they don't, then wouldn't the largest motor be the best option?

grilleguard2k · #2 02-06-2003, 09:05 AM

You must mean fastest...all motors are the same size.

savage sound · #3 02-06-2003, 09:12 AM

Fast motors rock if your just messing around in open areas, but if your trying to race on a track its pretty difficult to hit a hard turn with a 3.8! even if you manage to make the turn odds are youll flip before long. i usally start with a 1.0 or 2.2 on a new track and then work my way up if im getting the hang of it. another thing is torque, if your on light carpet its a pretty good strain on the 3.8. a lot of times youll get stuck or not even move. hope this helps!

hogjowlz · #4 02-06-2003, 09:48 AM

i have a gas powered motor in my car. its pretty nice.

Subie Driver · #5 02-06-2003, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hogjowlz
i have a gas powered motor in my car. its pretty nice.

Is it a rotary?

hogjowlz · #6 02-06-2003, 02:05 PM

i was lying

Subie Driver · #7 02-06-2003, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hogjowlz
i was lying

Hence the smilie.

ANyways, might as well answer the original question. There is no"best" motor. Different motors are better suited to different kinds of racing. For a really tight, twisty, technical course, then a 1.6 or a 2.2 might be the best balace between speed and control. But for drag racing, then the 3.8 might be the best bet. And the gears make a difference, too. A 3.8 with the stock gears is tough to control in turns due to wheelspins and quicker acceleration. But a 3.8 with the 8.25:1 is much easier to drive and turn. It all depends on what you are using the car for, and your driving style, combined with your gear/motor combo. Try some different setups and see what's best for you.

Lel · #8 02-07-2003, 02:34 AM

Thanks for all the info guys, I thought the larger the motor, the more torque and top-end speed they had, but I guess not. However, couldn't you technically compensate for the lack of torque in say, a 3.0 motor with a 12:1 gear ratio, which would (I'm guessing) make it equal to a 2.2, with the added bonus of having high top-end?

ffctp · #9 02-07-2003, 12:02 PM

I have a 3.8 motor and boost car coming, and I'll be interested to see how it works with different gears. It seems like a lot of people are asking "which motor is fastest," but that seems like a kind of pointless question unless you only intend to go in a vaguely straight line.
All these two speed cars hitting the market might change that a bit though, since you should be able to tool around at a realistic speed and use little bursts here and there.
But I've been wondering about the torque and such too ... I could see having issues racing a car that gets to speed faster than yours if there's a lot of turns involved.