Engine Choices...Yup, another "newbie question"...

Given a full-blown stunter of around fifty to fifty-five inches span, such as the Buccaneer 740 or Brodak Oriental, etc., what would each of you recommend for a sport flyer- i.e., no competition.

I have NO interest in the OS LA engines, so if thats your favorite, sorry about that. And before you ask why, a combination of limited experience with and reputation of the R/C versions is the reason. Also, my buddy was asking about it in another thread, and the consensus was that it is a single-speed engine. I would like to have that desired 4-2-4.

I have no fear of a vintage engine, and realizing that there doesn't seem to be many offerings of new/current manufacture, that might be an option.

So, have at it, guys. I'm all eyes.

Alan, see what you did???????

LAST EDITED ON Dec-19-03 AT 06:41 PM (CST)
 
Well..... the 46la DOES 4-2-4 very well right out of the box..... but since you areasking about others....
A MAGNUM, Thunder Tiger 36 (reworked), would be fine. Of course Leonard's reworked 35FP, an Aerotiger 36, or a RO-Jett 40 would be the best choices.
Bill <><

LAST EDITED ON Dec-19-03 AT 07:05 PM (CST)
 
I posted a little info on the Buccaneer in the other thread for you to chew on. See if any of your RC buddies have any Super Tigre 46's laying around. Even if it needs bearings and a ring that isn't a problem. Other than that, I understand the Double Star .50 from Tom Dixon is a good replacement for the .46 but not sure what they cost. Stalker makes a good engine but not sure what the have in a 46 or 50. I understand the RO Jett BS 40 is also a great engine but you can buy a bunch of LA 46's for the price of the Jett. I must add that you do get what you pay for.

The problem with getting a rework is it may take a year or longer to get it done. Most of the rework guys have a big back log and if you want an engine in a reasionable amount of time get something that you can buy off the shelf.

PS: Another option is the new Saito 40 FS, it will haul the Buc just fine.

Stalker 40 SE for the Oriental would be Great.They have 40 and 46 in side exhaust or rear exhaust versions.The 46 would be excessive for the Oriental. http://www.stalker-modusa.com/index3.htm They have a great range of purpose built stunt engines and it was only 9 days delivery to me in Canada for my 40RE .Have a Great Christmas to everyone and there Familys on Stuka Stunt

Check with Byron Barker at C.F. Slattery for a reworked Thunder Tiger 36 Pro. Fits Fox 35 mounts and weighs less than an OS FP 35. His e-mail is: [email protected]. Quick turn around and great workmanship.

I have several of Byron's engines, and the latest (from Bill H., thanks!) is a TT 36. Runs GREAT!!! Byron does excellent work.
I haven't checked on what Leonard offers in this range other than the 35FP.
Bill <><

<<...new Saito 40 FS...>>

NOW you have my attention. I never even considered a four-banger.

They are my engine of choice for R/C fixed wing. Love that sound, and torque.

So, I suppose you fit a fixed throttle pushrod to keep the throttle wide open, eh?

Guys, thanks for all the other suggestions; I have 'em on file.

Check with Ultra Hobby to see if they have 40 size venturis yet. They have them for the 56 and 72 Saitos. Or you can always wire the carb open.

OH JUST BUILD AND ORIENTAL and A FOX .35. from Larry Foster.

Scott (no if's ands or Butts)Riese}>

Actually, I've been eyeing that oriental ARF.

One should always keep his options open...

I'm told that the new DS50 runs pretty much like an ST46, drops in the mounts holes. it's a 4-2-4 motor. Would certainly work for the Buc. I agree that a Larry Foster Fox 35 is a great choice for the Oriental. They run a very nice 4-2-4.

The Saito 40 is a great engine. Pat Johnston had on for a P-40 model that I flew. Lots of torque. He just bored out the carb barrel, force fit in an insert drilled to the appropriate size (.255, I think) and used the original needle valve assembly that came with the carb. Great running engine on an APC 11.5x4

Or even a fox right out of the box would work.

Save the cash and wire it open. Great run. No problems, but I think he is overlooking the obvious due to preconceptions from RC heads.

DS .50?

>DS .50?
>
>Ion

Double Star, aka 2Star. The .50 is a ST G.21 .46 replacement, sorta, but sleeve bearing, ABC, and lighter. Dave Pellerin has been flying one in his T-Bird II, and it seems like a good match, except lack of ground clearance for a 12" prop. The same folks in Moldavia make the new Brodak .40. Superb workmanship, top notch materials, & not cheap. Steve

Hi Steve,

Tell us your bad experiences with LA engines. I'm always willing to learn.

I had an LA 46 R/C. It was given to me as a gift, along with a Flite Crap Bonanza ARF. Both were on the extreme end of what I would call "cheesy", but the giver expected to see his present fly, so I built it. I had an almost uncontrollable urge to wear a bag over my head when I brought it out to the field.

The engine started and ran fine. It just had no guts. I broke it in on a test stand, as I do with all new engines; both there and on the model, it sounded and handled just right. But in the air, it had the power of a weak .40- if that. I tried different props; no joy.

The plastic back plate and American Trial Lawyers Commemorative Needle Valve Assembly were a big turn-off, as well. Basically, that engine was made to a price point, as opposed to a level of quality (and to appease the safety-at-any-cost crowd...). I have been watching OS steadily go downhill, QC-wise, for several years now. I have a lot of OS engines, but none bought new within the last couple of years. While I've learned never to say "never", I will give the matter much thought before I buy a new OS engine these days- unless, of course, it is an older one NIB.

So, I didn't have "problems", per se, with an LA engine. It was simply a very underwhelming experience.

Steve,

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with that setup. I know nothing about that particular ARF, so I cannot say if you just got a bad match with the engine/airframe vis a vis weight, drag, or whatever.

I'm not a real fan of the new OS LA engine line, but that .46 has proven to be a very good engine for our control line needs. You can toss that needle valve and carb assembly and order up a 40FP venturi and needle valve as drop in replacements. Stick a tongue muffler on it, use an APC 12.25x3.75 prop with 10 percent fuel and I guarantee it will haul your Buccaneer just fine.

I also run the Saito .40, Double Star .40, and RoJett .40. I feel these are far better engines, but they are also far more expensive. You will get what you pay for. The LA .46 will do fine for the type of flying you are describing.

Ron King

I'm certainly a long way from an expert, but I suspect the same features that make the LA46 a wimp for RC are what make it so easy to use for CL stunt. With no boost port, the LA 46 won't have the high rpm power of other modern engines of its size. When used for CL, however, the power is good in the speed range we use. Replace the plastic backplate with a metal one from the Tower .40 and a OS FP 40 CL venturi and it works. Some of the tuners are doing slight mods to the ports, but this is not necessary to have a useable engine.
Steve

<<...far more expensive...>>

That's not an issue. I dropped $500 on a Laser 150 for my latest R/C plane. I like to have the best, and while I'm certainly not wealthy, I don't have any other expensive hobbies to feed.

I would be very interested in any tips, etc., you may have for using a four stroke on a C/L model. One thing that concerns me is the extra weight. The Saitos are the lightest four-bangers in that size category (40-70), so that pretty much decides that.

But lacking any radio gear to shift around to adjust the CG, I wonder what compensation is needed for the heavier engine on these stunt models.