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Frequently Asked Questions
Why purchase upgrade parts?
Ready To Run (RTR) models are amazing machines. Whether electric or nitro versions, these cars and trucks are incredible little vehicles, capable of speeds up to 80 miles per hour. Unfortunately however, most of the parts on these models are made of plastic that breaks easily under normal use.
Every serious R/C hobbyist replaces a lot of the stock parts with metal parts. The reasons are obvious. Metal parts will not break or wear out as easily and they often perform better. Some parts, like our 3-point roll bar will help protect all of the other expensive parts of your model car.
Why purchase upgrade parts from New Era Models?
There are several very good reasons to use only New Era Models parts in your vehicle.
a. Our parts are designed to improve and enhance the performance of your vehicle. We know how these models are supposed to work and we know how to take a good design and make it better.
b. Our parts are made from the finest materials available. We use the best aluminum and titanium available for these applications. We manufacture the parts at our own facility in New Hampshire, using state-of-the-art CNC machinery.
c. American Quality! We build quality assurance into the manufacturing process itself. Compare the fit and finish of our products to the imports.
Introduction to 1/10 Scale Cars & Trucks
Collecting, building, running and racing R/C vehicles is an exciting hobby. It is also an easy hobby to get started in. Several companies sell RTR (Ready To Run) cars and trucks that are 1/10 the size of real vehicles. Some of the more popular brands are: Tamiya, Associated, OFNA and Traxxas. It is possible to buy a good quality RTR for a few hundred dollars, although some models cost much more. One good approach is to buy a decent, entry-level RTR kit and then upgrade individual parts as you learn more about the business.
Electric or Nitro?
R/C models come in two basic versions – electric or nitro. Electric versions have small electric motors operated by rechargeable batteries. Because these are affordable and easy to operate, they are very attractive to beginners. Nitro models have small, highly efficient glow plug engines that run on a mixture of methanol and nitromethane, hence the name Nitro fuel. These cars are a little trickier to get used to at the beginning, but once you get the hang of it, you will begin that endless chase for more horsepower.
How fast to they go?
Quite simply, speed is determined by how much you want to spend on an engine. Most RTR electric cars have a top speed range from 10-20 mph, although some electric dragsters can reach 100 mph. Nitro will get you there faster, with stock speeds of 50 mph. But again, top speeds for Nitro are only limited by the size of your wallet.
What you need to get started.
Assuming you buy a RTR kit, the basic tools you will need are similar for electric and nitro vehicles. The chassis and suspensions are similar as are the radio systems for the remote control.
A basic tool kit for electric vehicles should include:
a. Needle-nosed pliers
b. Flat-head and Phillips screwdrivers
c. Hobby knife
d. Motor spray for cleaning motors and electrical parts
e. Screw cement
f. Nut drivers and wrenches sized to your particular model
For Nitro vehicles, you would also want to have:
a. A glow lighter to light the glow plug
b. Starter box (if engine is not pull start)
c. Fuel and fuel bottle
d. Glow plug wrench to remove plug from engine
Glossary of Engine Terms
The following is a description of engine parts with which you should be familiar.
Glow Plug
Holds the heating element that helps start the engine and ignites the fuel once the engine is running. Glow plugs come in a variety of temperature ranges for different applications and weather conditions
Cylinder Head
Provides the cooling for the engine. On-road cars which run at higher speeds can use smaller heads. Off-road vehicles require larger ones
Piston
The piston compresses the air/fuel mixture for proper combustion. It travels up and down at speeds up to 600 times per second. The ignited fuel forces the piston downward, which in turn, spins the crankshaft.
Piston Sleeve
The sleeve is a hardened liner between the piston and the engine block to protect the block against wear and tear. High performance engines usually have a chrome-plated brass sleeve (ABC construction). Budget-priced engines use a more common nickel-plated brass sleeve (ABN construction).
Connecting Rod
This rod connects the piston to the crankshaft.
Backplate
This is the rear cover that allows access to the crankshaft for maintenance.
Engine Block
Usually made of cast aluminum, this is the body that holds all of the other engine parts.
Carburetor Retainer
Carbs are attached to the engine block with either a pinch-style retainer or one or more screws. By adjusting the pinch-retainer you can rotate the carb for optimum linkage.
Crankshaft
Crankshafts perform dual duty in 2-strokes engines. They transfer the combustion power to the drive train and also regulate the air/fuel mixture that is delivered to the crankcase. As the engine rotates, the port opens and closes beneath the carburetor.
Crankshaft Bearings
These bearings allow the crankshaft to rotate freely when the engine is running. As small as they are, they are vitally important to engine performance. They must be of the highest quality and be maintained in peak condition.
Carburetor
The “carb” controls the flow of fuel and air into the engine. Slide carbs commonly found in .21 engines provide more bottom power and quicker response. Most .12 engines have a rotary carb which is less responsive, but easier to adjust.
How to Speed Up Your Engine
The following are some of the best tips for speeding up your vehicle.
Bigger is Better!
Size does count and if you are looking for more horsepower, it is often easiest just to swap out your old engine for a new one. Our conversion kits make it easy to install a .21 engine in place of the stock .15 engine. Best of all, by using our kit as opposed to some others, you don’t have to cut the engine shaft, something that scares off most owners who are frightened at the idea of ruining a very expensive engine.
Stay in Tune!
Get a tuned pipe. Tuned pipes will increase speeds from 3-5 mph. Check our website for one that will fit your vehicle. Remember, when you install a tuned pipe, apply thread lock to the manifold screws.
Wheel and Deal!
When in Rome, do as the Romans. Off road tires don’t make it on the track and vice-versa. A new set of aluminum wheels will also improve performance and spiff up your model’s looks.
Gear Up!
Talk to an experienced racer about this one. The right gearing can increase performance by 5–10 mph, but it is a complicated subject. Tire size matters here too, so make sure you get some good advice before tackling this job.
Juice Up!
Increasing the nitro content of your fuel can add 3-4 mph. But this will also make the engine hotter and wear out quicker. If you do add juice, don’t use more than 20% and let the engine cool between runs.
Keep it Clean!
Dirt is your model’s worst enemy. Nothing will turn freely on your car or truck if it is covered with grease and grime. Keep everything clean, especially the bearings and you will keep the speed up.
Upgrading the Chassis
Even before you start fooling with the engine of your vehicle you should start thinking about upgrading the chassis. Many chassis upgrades are designed to make your car or truck stronger, last longer and run better.
New Era Models’ Top Ten List of Upgrades:
The following are 10 good choices for upgrades for your R/C vehicle.
910 Roll Bar with Brace
The Roll Bar with Brace is constructed from thin-wall 4130 Chrome Moly steel tubing that has been Heli-arc Welded and Powder Coated Blue. The Roll Bar weighs only 2.5 ounces and mounts using stock hole locations (NO DRILLING REQUIRED!!!) The Roll Bar helps protect all critical chassis components. Quality Control ensures fit and finish.
.21 Conversion Kit
The chassis is 1-1/8 inch longer than the stock chassis (13.3 inch wheel base). More horse power is added with the New Era .21 Motor Mount (TRM123) which fits a rear exhaust .15 or .21 size engine. You can also run the stock engine and motor mount.
Bumper Support/Sway Bar
Front Bumper Supports (2) with Stainless Steel metric hardware are CNC machined from 8 mm 6061-T6 aluminum bar stock and have the proper geometry to accept the New Era sway bar systems.
Front Sway Bar kit prevents chassis roll without compromising suspension travel. Requires New Era Front bumper supports (Part No. TRM324).
Servo Skid Plate
Steering Servo Skid Plate (.090 in) 2.1 mm thick extruded 6061-T6 aluminu. Weights only .4 oz.. This is an extruded part that is extremely strong and includes metric hardware. Available in Silver or Blue anodize. Will fit stock and many upgrade servos.
Front Skid Plate
SUPER DUTY Front Skid Plates are CNC machined and formed from 6061-T6 Aluminum. 3.2 mm (1/8 inch) thickness offers much greater protection than the stock plastic while remaining lightweight to maintain performance.
Rear Skid Plate
Rear Skid Plate with the Bumper Guard is CNC machined and formed from Grade 5 (6AL-4V) Titanium 2mm thickness offers much greater protection than the stock plastic while remaining lightweight to maintain performance.
Bumpers – Al. & Ti.
Front or rear bumpers, whether machined from Aluminum or Titanium, will protect better than the stock plastic bumpers while improving the vehicle’s appearance.
Aluminum Shock Towers
Front or Rear Shock Towers are CNC machined from 6061-T6 aluminum bar stock and have the proper geometry to accept the New Era Roll Bar with Brace (TRM910).
High Volume Header
This high volume header will improve the performance of your stock TRX engine.
Air Filter & Elbow (metal & plastic)
Improve the performance of your vehicle with a set of our air filters and elbows. Whether in metal or plastic, you’ll notice an immediate improvement with one of these quality New Era parts.
1/10 Scale Dragsters
As well-known as we are for parts and upgrades for 1/10 scale cars and trucks, our real claim to fame is dragsters. New Era Models has a well earned reputation as the finest manufacturer of ¼ scale drag cars. Unlike our 1/10 products, which are primarily upgrades for plastic parts made by other companies, our drag cars are produced from the wheels up at our own manufacturing facility. We have a complete in-house CNC machine shop, fiberglass factory, weld shop, vacuum forming and graphics departments. We manufacture our own cast aluminum quick change rears and custom wheels. In the ¼ scale line, we offer a range of engines from 23cc to 80cc, depending on the car or option purchased.
We are now applying this technology to a line of 1/10 scale drag cars. After you have mastered the techniques of 1/10 car or truck racing, you can add to your modeling enjoyment by choosing one of our Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock or Pro Stock Truck 1/10 kits. Check out our web site for kits and options.
Technical Questions
Although we do everything we can to provide clear instructions with our parts and upgrades, we have found that many customers have similar questions about their vehicles, parts, or orders. In this section, we try to answer the most common questions that our service department encounters.
How much will the parts cost?
The prices of all of the products we sell are clearly marked on the web site. There are no additions or discounts other than those shown. As you fill out your on line order, the shipping charges will also be determined, so you will know the total cost of your order. There is no need to call to confirm these prices.
Do I need additional parts?
We take care to make sure that if additional parts are needed, this is noted in the parts description. So, if the description does not call for other parts, you can be confident that you don’t need any. On the other hand, if the description says that other parts are required, you should order them as well.
Why don’t the parts fit my model?
Many of our upgrades are designed specifically to fit other New Era Model parts. If you have a chassis or other upgrade from a different manufacturer, some of our parts will not match up. To assure a seemless fit, use only New Era Model parts for your vehicle.
If a part is back ordered, when will my order ship?
Please read the message on our ordering page very carefully. If a part is on back order, you will be notified via email to call us and let us know if you want us to hold the entire shipment until all of the parts are ready, or to ship what is in stock and ship the back ordered parts later. Since our customers are split on how they want this situation handled, we have not made our own rules, but leave it to your discretion.
If the web site says a part is unavailable, can I buy it anyway?
Our website is updated daily and our inventory for sale on the website is checked at least twice a day. If the web site says you can’t buy a part, then you can’t buy it. Calling our office will make no difference.
The same thing goes for parts marked “Temporarily Out of Stock”. But in that case, we really do mean temporarily. Since we manufacture our own parts in house, we can quickly fill a void in our inventory by putting our manufacturing crew on overtime.Check back frequently, the part will probably be available very quickly.
Can you send me dimensioned drawings or CAD files of your parts?
Sorry, we cannot do that.
Do I have to cut the smooth part of my Ofna Hyper .21 to use a .21 clutch nut?
No, you do not have to cut the shaft. We offer a special clutch nut for all pilot shafts (called the P-shaft, SG crank, or European shaft on some engines). The part number is TRM500RG.
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