I'm new to nitro and I'm looking for my first engine. It will be going in an NT1. Being new I'm sure my priority should be something easy to tune first. After searching the forums and getting recommendations I'm leaning towards the OS .12 TZ. ItI think the version I would need is the 3 port with the slide carb. Is this correct?

Should I consider a "tuned" version of the TZ?
Should I consider any other engines?

I had my eye on the Orion Wasp but I don't know much about it. Would that be a decent alternative?

A few other general engine questions

Do most on road engines have slide carbs?
What specifically denotes an on road engine?
What/where are the 3 ports?
What makes an engine legal/illegal other than displacement?

Sorry for all the questions. Thanks for taking the time.

Hi,

If you check my signature, there is a link to the ".12 Engines KB". Once you get to the site, click on the "Get Smart" link on the left. Buy that book. It will help explain a lot.

There are also three articles on engine basics at this site: http://www.nitrorc.com

The OS TZ engine (Non-Speed Tuned version) is a great starter engine. Add on the Skyline Racing Development VR12 Plus pipe and you should be all set.

When choosing an engine, you want the slide carb.

Overheating will cause an on-road engine to detonate.

3-Ports refers to the number of intake ports.

In general almost all 3-port .12 engine are considered legal, but the sanctioning racing organizations (ROAR, IFMAR and EFRA) have specific rules. Since you're in the USA any ROAR/IFMAR legal engine should be good. You can download the ROAR rule book here: http://www.roarracing.com/rules.php and read through the sections on engines.

will to start good luck with the car and have fun!!!!!
will the os engine i can not tell you much on but they say its good
for starting out you should look in to a package engine with pipe and header like the new mega engine set up . you get the tuned pipe and header tuned to that engine"s power band so you get the most out of the engine and it good for the price to start out with and learn to tune . and yes its a 3 port with slide carb .
as for the orion wasp i was thinking of trying it too still looking into it too!!!!!
tuned engines are some times a little harder to tune to start out with

1 yes all of the comp racing car us it slide carbs
2 denotes??? don't understand
3 well the ports are the way fuel is let in to the engine to burn and released in to the exhaust .where they are are on the sleeve in the center of the engine.
4 what make's it legal is the it goes by the rules in the rule book . what makes it not legal is when things are changed for inhanced performanced
and take it past what the rule book's state . un less the class is open run with you brung .
hope this help you

Thanks guys. That clears things up. I'm definitely going with the TZ but am looking forward to trying the WASP once I'm familiar with tuning a bit more.

Is that VR12 plus pipe a good combo with the TZ? I'll look into that.

Any other advice or suggestions please feel free.