Could they work for stunt?

I have seen several posts lately about some of the less expensive engines on the market that are being used for C/L stunt. Engines like the OS LA 46, LA 40 and the ST 51 if purchased through Tower are all in the $75 to $100 dollar range and seem to work well. I have an OS LA 46 I have been using for three years now and I honestly think it was the best $65 dollar investment I ever made. I also have one of Len's SSW 53's and for $150 it is a great engine. My question is this. Tower lists several R/C engines in the 40 to 47 size range that are ABC BB like GMS, Magnum, Tower Hobbies and a new OS engine the 46 AX (ABL BB) that lists for $114.99. Are any of these engines sleepers that could be made to work well for stunt for beginner or intermediate flyers like me that just can not justify the expense of the tuned piped setups? Some of the engines listed appear at first to be a bit heavy but if you consider that they are weighed with the muffler, which is huge this may account for 3 to 5 ounces.

Thanks

Rick, look in the classified section. I got a nice ST 60 for sell for $90.

The GMS engine is, quite frankly, heavy. There are other engines, of equal value, that are lighter. The TT 46 is good, but is the same weight (and price range) as the old Magnum/ASP 53. Still, nothing wrong with it. I have never done anything with the Tower 46 as it doesn't seem to offer anything different from the others. I do have one of the new Magnum 52 engines in hand, but have not had time to work with it. It is an ounce heavier than the old version because of the square case and head. Some of that could probably be machined off as we do not need the extra fins with our way of running them. (The RC boys probably don't, either, but it is the "in" thing.)

All of these need a venturi and needle, and with a little retuning will probably run very well. Or they can be made to run out of the box by choosing other props, etc. The real question in all of these is run quality, weight, durability, and price. We weigh all of the factors and choose the best value for us. And, if other factors are similar, then weight or price are going to choose the engine for us. Those who want the absolute best will not let price stop them. Those who are limited by price, will choose the best (for them) within that price range. But certain engines just exclude themselves when we run comparisons.

Rick,

You already enumerated a great choice in that size/price range in your first post. If you need more power than the LA-46 get a Tigre 51 for 99 bucks from Tower and be done with it. Every one I've seen is pretty stout, and they don't really need anything much in the way of mods except for maybe a head shim after the first fifty runs or so. About the only thing you need to do beyond that is chuck the goofy bazooka shaped factory muffler and put a decent aftermarket one on. Some of the other ones you saw might work, but then again they might not, and you'd be out the hundred or so you could have thrown at the ST.

I agree with Steve about the LA 46 and the ST 51. If you need more power than the LA 46, then get the ST 51! All these I have seen, and I use the ST 51 have three of them, are great runners. I still need to break out my new ST 51 and see how it does. I don't expect to be disappointed!
Happy New Year!
Bill <><