Originally Posted by Scott Fisher
My tuned N12LL3 has quite a bit of work done to the sleeve and the exhaust area. Also, I don't know but it feels like it was either run-in or the piston and sleeve were hand fitted. The reason I suspect this is it didn't have that gritty TDC stick that new Nova engines have. It felt a little smoother that normal. I don't know why, but that is what I felt and the only reason I have to explain it. I guess we could email novarossi and find out.
The Novarossi agent for my Sydney races at our track and his son (Australian 1/8th scale champion) is factory sponsored by Novarossi. The only difference according to him is the crank. This is also official word they got from the factory. You might get some spin doctoring if you email and ask them but the sleeve and port timing etc is the same. when it's time to rebuild, regardless of whether or not you have a "tuned" or a stock version, the part number for the Piston/Liner set is the same!!
My stock LL3 was the easiest motor i've ever had to break in. It hardly got stuck at TDC. It was also the quickest to wear out.
p.s. after trying a few different pipes, the Mugen pipe was by far the best! A little on the thirsty side though.