Saito FA-80

LAST EDITED ON Jun-20-04 AT 05:17 PM (CDT)
 
Hi!

I just received an Saito FA-80 in good condition. Best of all, it was FREE!!! (I just love free!) Unfortunately, the previous owner is no longer with us. While I'm not one to look a free engine in the mouth, I did check the bearings and lube everything and it looks good and ready to run.

This particular Saiti-80 is NOT the NEW ONE that everyone is so excited about but is about six years old. Unfortunately, to me all of these 4-strokes look the same, so after searching the archives without result, I'm asking you guys for some info.

Has anyone had any development luck with the FA-80 engine for PA or should I dump this one on Ebay?

If it's usable for our event, I would appreciate some starting points for set-up and running.

Thanks

Bigs

PS: I have edited my post for greater clarity and will try to include a couple of photos.

" What constitutes the dignity of a craft is that it creates a fellowship, that it binds men together and fashions for them a common language. For there is but one problem - the problem of human relations."

>>I just received an Saito F-80 in good condition. Best of
>all, it was FREE!!!
>
>Has anyone had any development luck with this engine for PA
>or should I trade it off to an RC guy?
>
>If it's usable, I would appreciate some starting points for
>set-up and running.
>
>First, let me get over the trauma of you getting a brand new free Saito 80! Now, I believe there was a guy building a modified Randy Smith design, and he was using a Saito 80. The motor, like all Saito's is defintely usable. The rub is that it weighs quite a bit more then the Saito 72 with about the same horsepower. Of course, the fact that it is FREE negates the extra weight. The Saito 80 though, has more torque or grunt.

This motor was the front runner for me before I got my Saito 72 and after rejecting the Saito 91 and the Saito 56. As for break-in,just read all the posts on this forum concerning the Saito 72. Or simply follow the instructions in the box. (No kidding)

Use the plug that comes with the motor for break-in then run, don't walk, down to your nearest hobby shop and buy an OS Max F plug. There is tons of other things you can do with a midsize Saito, but stick with the basics for now until you get time under your belt.

"I don't know about this tuned pipe business. I practiced on that thing until my lips turned blue, and I still can't play a stinkin note."
"Homer J. Simpson"

The model in the picture will be powered by a Saito .80. It was built by Gerald Schamp, and sold to me at the NW CL Regionals in '03. I decided on the name "Titan", took some pics, but otherwise haven't started working on it. It is based on the Steve Buso designed "Super Kestrel", with thicker airfoil and restyled fuselage. I'm thinking that if the completed model comes out nose-heavy, I may go to a .72 or .82, but otherwise will stick with the .80. Steve

>The model in the picture will be powered by a Saito .80. It
>was built by Gerald Schamp, and sold to me at the NW CL
>Regionals in '03. I decided on the name "Titan", took some
>pics, but otherwise haven't started working on it. It is
>based on the Steve Buso designed "Super Kestrel", with
>thicker airfoil and restyled fuselage. I'm thinking that if
>the completed model comes out nose-heavy, I may go to a .72
>or .82, but otherwise will stick with the .80. Steve
>
>http://www.nwskyraiders.com/index.html

This is the plane that I was referring to in my thread. There was some nice shots of this plane being built. One thing is certain with the 80, you will have enough power!! Remember, these Saito midsize engines were designed to pull planes much much heavier than ours.

"I don't know about this tuned pipe business. I practiced on that thing until my lips turned blue, and I still can't play a stinkin note."
"Homer J. Simpson"

I think the Brodak Strega would be a good kit model for any of the .72/.82 Saitos, with the nose length revised to get the CG close. The Patternmaster would be another good choice, plans from Big Jim. They're both ugly-impaired, but that's easy to fix. Steve

HI!

Thanks for the airframe opinions guys but at this point I really need info about the engine itself.

If this mill isn't suitable for PA I want to know BEFORE I build a plane around it. Been there, done that!

Hasn't anyone tried using one of these yet?

Hmmm...

Bigs

" What constitutes the dignity of a craft is that it creates a fellowship, that it binds men together and fashions for them a common language. For there is but one problem - the problem of human relations."

LAST EDITED ON Jun-20-04 AT 08:36 PM (CDT)
 
Steve,

Thanks for your reply but are you using the Saito FA-80?

If so, whats the set-up? Unfortunately, I do not have any paperwork or instructions. I know a bunch about Tigers and so forth but 4-stroke is new to me.

I'll look for the Saito 72 info as well but really want some info specific to this one before I take the plunge.

Bigs

" What constitutes the dignity of a craft is that it creates a fellowship, that it binds men together and fashions for them a common language. For there is but one problem - the problem of human relations."

LAST EDITED ON Jun-21-04 AT 08:13 PM (CDT)
 
As I recall, the airplane/engine came with a UHP venturi conversion. Implication is that it should be adaptable, but maybe not. If not, I will start by turning a chunk like Randy Powell's venturi adaptor (attached below), or sawing one out like Pat Johnston's. A venturi diameter of .285" to .312" should be somewhere in the stadium, with a .156" spraybar. I'd start with a 14-4 APC, but you just know cheap props aren't gonna be the hot setup. Cheap? The 14-4 APC lists at $10. Gerald Schamp had Windy break-in this Saito .80; Windy said it ran great, no mention of horrid vibration. I'd bench run it, then make a venturi setup, run it some more, then decide.

I suspect that the instructions for the .80 would be easily obtained from Horizon, perhaps online download. If not, send me a PM with your email addy, and I'll scan and email it. Steve