Following on from our review of the HPI Nitro RS4 RTR Drift Car we were wondering if nitro drifting could ever steal electric drift’s crown as the most popular form of RC drifting. Electric drift has pretty much ruled ever since the mainstream manufacturing of drift cars began.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both power plants but overall, we think electric RC cars are better for drifting. Electric RC drift cars offer more consistent torque and faster throttle response than nitro models making them the better option for RC drifting.
Electric RC Car Advantages:
- Consistent Torque
- Faster Throttle Response
- Relatively Clean
- Indoor Operation
Electric RC Car Disadvantages:
- Battery Life
- Less Realistic
Electric motors effectively produce instantaneous torque, where nitro engines, like full-sized gasoline engines, take time for the engine to spool up and clutch to engage. Electric RC drift cars use high capacity compact batteries to drive a brushed or brushless motor via an electronic speed control.
Electric RC drift cars tend to be lighter than nitro models since they have fewer drive system components. Limited battery life is a disadvantage of electric RC drift cars and charging batteries can take some time, but quick chargers can refill a battery in about fifteen to forty-five minutes.
Nitro RC Car Advantages:
- Gas Powered Continuous Operation
- Realistic Piston Engine
- Smoking Drifts
Nitro RC Car Disadvantages:
- Dirty Oil/Fuel Mix
- Noisy
Performance, realistic engine and drive train design, ability to be driven for long periods of time, and the sound of a fuel burning engine are main selling points to nitro hobby enthusiasts. On average, nitro engines have more power than electric motors but the current speed record is held by an electric so with modification, electrics can be as fast as nitro cars.
The higher stock performance of nitro cars, longer drive time, and increased weight lead to greater mechanical wear and higher speed collisions compared to lighter electric RC cars. Nitro cars are completely air cooled and may run continuously without taking breaks for cooling but there is always the threat of overheating. Nitro cars are dirtier than electric cars since the exhaust from the engine contains unburned oil that coats the chassis, but one cool thing you can do is rout the exhaust between the rear tires to give the illusion of smoking drifts.
