Measure RPMs

• Measure the rpm output of your RC vehicle's engine by using a tachometer. If your RC car does not have a tachometer installed, you can purchase one from an electronics retailer or a hobby shop specializing in RC vehicles. Reference the owner's guide that comes with your tachometer for proper installation procedures.
  
  Operate your RC vehicle. If you can, put it in neutral; you don't need the vehicle to move, you just want to be able to see the tachometer reading. Record the top rpm reading for your RC engine. This information will be used later to tune your pipe.
  
  

Silicone Tubing

• Use heat resistant silicone tubing to create the inner framework of your carbon tuned pipe. Silicone tubing can be formulated to withstand temperatures as high as 500 degrees F. The heat resistant qualities of silicone tubing make it perfect for creating tuned piping, because RC engines can create sustained high temperature exhaust.
  
  

Carbon Fiber Forming

• Use multiple sheets of 2/2 twill carbon fiber fabric and a mixture of high temperature epoxy resin and hardener to form the carbon fiber tuned pipe. To start, fit the silicone tubing over a dowel that will hold the tubing horizontally away from any surface that would hinder access. Use a brush to apply a thick coat of the resin and hardener mixture to the tubing. Let the tubing sit to let the mixture get tacky.
  
  Form a sheet of 2/2 twill carbon around the tubing. Make sure to form the carbon fiber tight to the tubing so that no bubbles will form. Pinch any excess carbon together so that the tubing is entirely covered and extra carbon stands straight up away from the tubing. Remove this extra material with scissors, being careful not to disturb the rest of the material that has been formed around the silicone tubing. Apply another coat of the epoxy mixture to the outside of the carbon. Repeat this procedure with four more sheets of carbon.
  
  To cure the epoxy mixture, heat the pipe to a proper temperature in your oven. Reference the curing temperature listed in your epoxy resin's specifications for proper curing.
  
  

Tuning

• Install the pipe on your RC vehicle. Run the vehicle and reference the rpm readout from your tachometer. Compare the rpm reading to the initial test reading completed earlier. If you are within 10 rpm, do not adjust the pipe. If the measurement is more than 10 rpm less than the earlier reading, shorten the pipe by one quarter inch with heavy duty shears. Continue to repeat this process until the rpm reading mirrors the original rpm test reading. If you want higher performance from your RC vehicle, you may continue to shorten the pipe until the rpm reading begins to drop slightly. However, this may overpower your engine, causing burnout and blown spark plugs among other performance issues.