At my local tracks a lot of the guys are running alpha engines or o.s. And some triton.. The number one guys all run the alpha dragon lll.... What's the best one to go with ?!!

If you are new to tuning, go with the one you can get the best help with locally. Myself, I bleed O.S.!!

Best engine = 20 different answers

Buggy or truggy? How much do you want to spend? Even the cheaper <$200 engines from Nova, Werks, etc. can compete with the stuff twice as expensive performance-wise.

No offense - really, we've all asked or thought it before - but it's basically a dumb question. There are too many variables (pipe, plug, fuel, weather, break-in, tune, dirt, etc..), and the user/tuner has so much influence on how an engine runs, that talking about "the best" is a bit like asking what's the best holiday destination or whatever.

Most engines nowadays are great, from $150-500. At the very high levels, where the best of the best need 20 seconds of extra run time or whatever, there may be some differences, but afaic it's for the most part useless to try to base what you do on what the pros do, for %95 of the people who race..

It is probably good advice though to go with what the local guys have, as then it's easiest to get help or tips if you need it. That goes for everything - cars, tires, whatever..

+1 to that. Especially the last part re running locally backed products with good practical support as well as parts etc.

If the top guys all run Alpha dragons, get one of those, if you ever need help, theyll know what to do, when first getting into nitro its always handy to have someone great around to help if you have dramas with tuning etc etc

Ryan will help you as well if you get a alpha engine.

Basically I do not agree. Every nitro engine acts the same so a guy who knows how to tune an engine can tune any engine. But if Alfa is a lot driven then yes, there must be a close supplier with maybe club discounts.

Something nova based will never be bad. There are so many great engines these days it's hard to separate.

You will like the triton engines they tune as easy as OS and have a nice powerband. (Biased response )

Reds Evo R7 for buggy. Easy to tune, easy to drive. I pay for all my RC stuff with my own cash so it has to be the best!

+1 Million Billion Trillion

Nova Rossi or OS will serve you well. If you get a OS make sure it has the DLC coated crank.

Don't forget the Picco-based engines - Picco, Reds, Triton, RC Concepts, etc..

And then there's also the FX.

Honestly, what's a bad engine these days? I had a bad experience with an Orion once, and have seen other people with complaints. But that was likely just bad luck, and I'm sure there are lots of people out there who love them...

The engines on the market today are generally reliable.
There are "monday products" out of any factory. I had an LRP (OS XZ B SPEED) that came out of the factory with very little pinch and only lasted a gallon before zero compression made tuning difficult.
Despite this one incident I think the general consensus is those engines are very good, among the best on the market.

I think a lot of people put too much weight on the odd bad experience or one very vocal complaint, when in general almost all the engines on the market today are quite good. Even the cheaper ones.
However, what is a general thing with these motors is once they go wrong they generally don't run so that might explain why some people are very vocal about a bad experience.

What is a problem in todays market is fuel, there are still some very bad fuels on the market. Some fuels have excellent oil packages, other fuels come with full synthetic - which reduces lifespan to 50%.