How to Build a Radio Control Car

Radio control cars are a lot of fun. However, the preassembled models that you can buy at toy stores and hobby shops have predetermined performance limitations. If you want to design your own radio control car you don't have to be a gearhead or particularly skilled in mechanics. All you need is a basic understanding of the parts that make up a radio control car, a basic set of tools and the ability to follow assembly instructions.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• RC car tool set RC car body RC car chassis Wheels Paint Glue Engine Battery or fuel RC unit

1. Select a body kit for your radio control car. Body kits will provide you with the shell for your radio control car. There are a lot of manufacturers who produce body kits including HPI, CEN and Associated. When selecting a body kit make sure you read the box to determine if the kit comes with a painted body shell and decals, or if you will need to buy these things separately. Some of the body designs that are available include Hummers, sports cars, NASCAR models and Nissan race car models.

2. Find a chassis for your radio control car. The chassis is basically the frame of your car. It will support the engine, fuel source, battery pack, wheels and body shell. The chassis also will contain the wheel base and shock system. When selecting your chassis you need to make sure it is the right size for the body shell you bought and the type of engine you want to install. A chassis can be made from a variety of durable materials, such as durable plastic, carbon or aluminum.

3. Buy your engine. There are two basic types of engines for radio control cars, an electric engine and a nitro (gas powered) engine. Electric engines are quieter and better suited for indoor use, whereas nitro engines are louder, but more powerful.

4. Purchase the energy source for your radio control car. Electric engines will require a battery pack and a charger, whereas nitro engines will require nitro fuel and a fuel dispenser.

5. Pick up the electronics for your radio control car. You will need to select a radio control unit that will fit your car's chassis and that will also provide you with the control features you want. For example, some radio control units have a wheel for steering, some radio control units have two sticks to control the direction of the vehicles and others have a central joystick for its controller. When shopping for your radio control unit you will also want to select a controller that has the range you want for your vehicle. Ranges for radio control units can be anywhere from fifteen feet to several dozen feet. Finally, radio control units can operate on a single or on multiple channels. Multiple channel controllers are best used for vehicles you want to race.

6. Identify the other parts you will need for your radio control car. Some of the parts that you will want to buy include shocks, paint, decals, extra battery packs, spoilers and wheels. Select items that will fit the size of the radio control car you are building.

7. Assemble your radio control car. Start by putting your shocks and wheels on the wheel base. You will need to use a small screwdriver and pliers to connect both the shocks and wheels to the wheel base. Then install the engine using the motor mounts that came with the engine. Connect your engine to your battery pack and secure the battery pack. The connections will either snap together or be screwed in. If you have a nitro engine wait to add fuel until the car is completely assembled. Next install the radio control module. This will need to be connected to the engine and the steering rod using the connectors and ports that came with the rc module. Finally, use the body clips to attach the body shell to the chassis. Complete your radio control car by painting the shell, adding decals and sealing it with a clear model paint sealer.

[mibzzer15]

on 11/19/2008 In step 3 when you say "nitro(gas powered)" it is not actually powered by gas. It is powered by nitromethane.