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When torque and speed are the names of the game

Words and Photos: Sylvain Lafrance

Distributed in North America by Team Associated, the LRP engines are well known by many racers and bashers. The big blue head and the black case make them easy to recognize. Two versions of the LRP .30 are available. A more oriented monster truck pullstart version (ZR.30 Spec.2 Pullstart) with 5+1 ports good for 4.12HP and 33 200RPM. The second engine is a non pullstart truggy version (ZR.30 X Competition) with a 7+1 ports design good for an outstanding 4.21HP and 38 300RPM. Both engines fit where a .21 or a .28 engine fits no modification are required.

Specs

ZR.30 Spec.2 Pull Start

• Part number: LRP32810
• Massive all-new XTEC T6 crankcase
• Flow-optimized LRP XTEC PowerCarb 2 15S-2 carburetor with 9mm inlet
• New CoolDown cylinder head with extra-thin ribs for weight reduction and uniform heat dissipation
• Standard burn room for easy tuning
• Reinforced pullstart
• Extra-strong connecting rod specifically designed for .30-sized engines
• 5+1 ports = extra torque for monster trucks
• Rear exhaust
• Displacement .30 (4.92ccm)
• Max. RPM 33,200
• Max. Power 4.12HP

ZR.30 X Competition, non-pullstart

• Part number: LRP32815
• Massive all-new XTEC T6 crankcase
• Completely new, flow optimized LRP XTEC thermal-protected PowerCarb 2 15SV-2 carburetor
• New CoolDown cylinder head with extra-thin ribs and additional holes for weight reduction and uniform heat dissipation
• Standard burn room for easy tuning
• Ports timed for competition use
• Extra-strong connecting rod specifically designed for .30-sized engines
• Flow-optimized backplate
• Blue anodized 7.5, 8.5, and 9.0mm venturi inserts
• 7+1 ports
• Rear exhaust
• Displacement .30 (4.92ccm)
• Max. RPM 38,300
• Max. Power 4.21HP

Testing

To test the LRP ZR.30 X, I installed the engine into my Team Associated RC8 buggy. Yes, a buggy! Why? Just to feel the difference between my .21 race engine and the LRP ZR.30 X. To break in the engine, I did exactly what I did for many years now (Read our break in article). I started the engine with a rich setting, kept its temp somewhere in the 180F-190F for the first tank and let it cool with the piston at the bottom dead center for 15 minutes between each tanks. The engine was tight and I had to loosen the glow plug to help starting, few bumps on the starter box and the engine started. The new PowerCarb 2 15SV-2 carburetor was correctly adjusted from the factory; I didn’t have to tune the engine for the first tank. I let the buggy on the ground and did few blips on the throttle once and a while to prevent the engine from flooding. For the next six tanks, I slowly ran the buggy and leaned the engine at every tank. I used a total of seven tanks to completely break in the engine even if the instruction manual recommends four tanks just to make sure the engine was correctly broken in. At each tank, I approximately leaned the high speed needle 1/8 turn.

Seven tanks later, I was curious to see how a completely broken in LRP ZR.30 X can perform. There is no word to describe all the power delivered by this engine. This is the most powerful engine I ever tested. My buggy has never been that fast… I mean crazy fast. I did few high speed passes in the street to estimate the top speed. The top speed was slightly the same compared to my .21 race engine at the exception that I could add few extra teeth to the clutch bell to gain more speed without killing the accelerations. The massive torque made the four tires loose traction on any surface any time at any speed. You can expect the same results with any vehicles you’ll drop the LRP ZR.30 X into.

Run after run the engine temperature still in the 230F range, I didn’t had to tune the needles settings since I completed the break in and I still run the original glow plug. There is no on/off feeling when driving the engine. The power band is smooth with good response in the middle. LRP included a 7.5, 8.5, and a 9.0mm carburetor inserts if you ever want to hold on few ponies home. Fuel mileage was also excellent considering the size of this engine. I can run my buggy for 7-8 minutes before filling up the 125cc fuel tank in bashing conditions.

Conclusion

I have raced LRP .28 engines (Read LRP 28 review) in the past two years, no flame out, always easy to tune and they still perform well after many races. You can expect the same scenario with the LRP .30 engines. They are strong, powerful and really easy to tune. This is exactly what I look for when I buy a new engine. Both engines are affordable, the price asked for the pullstart version is 200$us and 220$us for the Competition non pullstart version. They can turn any vehicles into a rocket. If you want to break top speed records and make your monster truck pulls wheelies on demand without breaking the bank, the LRP .30 engines are definitively the engines you should have.

For more information, visit www.teamassociated.com

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