Stunt Engines for Dummies...

Hi Guys,

Okay, I'm sitting in the corner and have my dunce hat on, here.

I'm looking at getting a side exhaust .60 for the Strega that I'll be starting on soon. I'm familiar with the "traditional" Super Tigre .60s, but don't know a whole bunch about the other engine options in that class. Are the newer ST G.61s (the square ones) being used in stunt? Would the O.S. .60LA be worth a look? What other engines do you guys like/reccomend?

All opinions welcome and appreciated...

God bless!

IIRC, The new ST and the OS LA are on the heavy side. As you know, the old ST light case was used for several reasons, not the least of which is that it is "light"
For the bucks, the PA and Ro-Jetts come in "side exhaust" versions.
For a few less dollars, there are also Stalkers, Len's ASP .53, and probably a few more that I can't remember right now.
Light case ST 60s are still available, and not too terribly expensive compaired to the "new" stunt dedicated engines. All depends on which way you want to go, and how much dinero you want to spend.
Bill <><

given how well the LA 40 and 46 run, I am really surprised that no one seems to have tried the LA65. A couple ounces of nose weight should be no problem in a 50-60 oz. plane, especially if it runs like the smaller ones. Just looking, I'd expect it to turn props similar to the Saito 72 at similar rpms.

A PA 65 weighs what, 10.7 ounces or thereabouts? An LA 65 weighs what? 19 or 20 ounces? Granted, it is cheaper. Granted it will not run as well or as long. But...look at the weight difference!

Let's see, add another 3 or 4 ounces of tail weight. Remember, you can't shorten the nose. You have to leave room for the tank.

>A PA 65 weighs what, 10.7 ounces or thereabouts? An LA 65
>weighs what? 19 or 20 ounces? Granted, it is cheaper.
>Granted it will not run as well or as long. But...look at
>the weight difference!
>
>Let's see, add another 3 or 4 ounces of tail weight.
>Remember, you can't shorten the nose. You have to leave
>room for the tank.

Hmmm, I didn't think Phil's suggestion was out of line at all. The 40 and 46 LAs do indeed run super. No real reason to think the Mother of All 65s might not run as well.

Of course it's heavy. Especially compared to a motor that began life as 40. But those Saito 72s are no featherweights and one of them ate Matt's lunch at the Team Trials.

A tank of a different configuration is not an insurmountable problem.

Thanks Dan.

The LA engines are on the heavy side. Real candidates for some creative Dremel work(as somebody pointed out in another thread). It is easy to carve over an ounce off the outside of an LA 46. The 65 would probably lose 2-3 oz.

As far as longevity, I've put over 400 hard runs on one LA40, including many lean runs and large props. It still starts and runs like new, and I only replaced the glow plug once. Not bad at all, I think.

A while back I wrote a thread about the lack of affordable side exhaust .60's. I wrote to John Brodak giving him the description and the specs for an affordable side exhaust 60 ala his Brodak 40, but he wrote me back stating that most of his kits are for the .40 size engine. Having to base your program around a long discontinued motor like the ST 60 is in my opinion, not the way to go. While I personally use and favor 4 stroke motors, they are not for everybody. Randy Linsalato of Mecoa Motors, took over the rights to the Brodak K&B .61 stunt engine that was tested by Mike Garmin in Stunt News. I contacted Randy and he told me that the K&B RC boat crowd would have to take priority. John Brodak was going to market the engine for about $149.99. That would have been right on target. From a manufacturing standpoint, the difference between a .40 and a .60 is not that different. We are literally deluged with affordable .40 CL engines, but nothing seems to be happening for the .61

Merco 61. Stalker, Jett, ST, PA,...What's your price range?

I'd like to keep it around $200 or less. Quite a bit less would be nice.

Seems like your looking at $150 - $200 (and up, obviously) for anything much beyond a stock sport engine anyway.

I'm the least familiar with the Merco .61. Anyone know anything about them?

God bless!

My vote would be for the Stalker .61SE, I have one that I flew in an overweight Magnum, plenty of power, smooth user friendly and affordable. It is everything you are asking for.

There is a new stalker .55 SE listed as a for sale item on stalker-modusa homepage for $110 (U.S.) plus $10 shipping. Comes with muffler etc. Said it has been run, but not broken it. I have two of these and it has plenty of power for your plane. Love them and that is a great price if it's not sold yet. See this link:

http://www.stalker-modusa.com/planes.htm

OK MUGS
One engine has not been talked about. ST-51 for Tom Lay or Tom Dixion or Randy Smith. Order from anyone of those great people and you'll have fun. There engines will make you happy. I own and fly Tom Dixion's 51. BEST ENGINE I OWN.

Scott(next to my own reworked fox)Riese

You're right Scott.
I have a T&L (strongest) and a Dixon. Both are great runners. I also have a "new" C/L version (now made in China) which I haven't run, but is supposed to have the correct stunt siming on the sleeve.
These "new" STs are available rather inexpensively.
I feel they put out power about comparable to the light case 60. (??)
They are very nice engines. Running a 12" 3 bld. X 4 1/2 CF prop right now, and it loafs to pull the USA-1. (quite a lot larger plane than some realize)
Bill <><

Oh well, got to stick my two penn'uth in here. Rustler-Merco 61 true ABC dedicated stunt. £78.75. Silencer £10.50 if bought with engine. That's just over $150.

>Oh well, got to stick my two penn'uth in here. Rustler-Merco
>61 true ABC dedicated stunt. £78.75. Silencer £10.50 if
>bought with engine. That's just over $150.

Post a Pic of the engine!

O.K. it's time to get to grips with taking and posting photos. I knew this time would come! Don't hold your breath though! Regards,

Mike: This has been mentioned before, but I'll stick my oar in the water, too.
The Aero Tiger or the RO Jett engines are both available, new, and will last a long, long time. The guys who produce them are both Top Five flyers that have a real good idea of how a Stunt Motor should perform. They both have a complete inventory of parts and supporting paraphernalia, too. Most important is the fact that you can pick up the phone and reach them if a problem is encountered.

They care.

See Ya

Double Star 60? There are 2 versions of the 60 size both go for around $250

I love my 2Star .60bb...good, strong runner. We have not seen a lot of stats on the Strega, but my recollection is that it's 760 sq. in. wing...really big, and thick! I wouldn't want less than a .60, and a Saito .72 or RO-Jett .65 would be great. JMHO. Steve