I am in the same boat as Bubbles, new to nitro. I bought the rtr simply because it came with the motor. I just pulled the treaded shocks off my tc3 and bought a 2 speed. As much problem as I am having getting it tuned I dont know if I would want to deal with a real engine. Everyone I talke to said you might as well flame out a coulple of $80 engines first. By the way the rtr has a restictor i the carb. Should I pull it out. Also if you do get the rtr and buy a 2 speed, just piece one together. The gearing is not even close to what it seems everone is running. I just used Barry Bakers set up as far as suspenion goes and the car worked really well the first time out. That is when I could get it to idle long enough to get up on the drivers stand!