I never really liked the VA mk I. They are very easy to flood, and not easy to clear out. One of the reasons they started to allow electric starters in 1/2A combat, even at the Nats. On top of that, the stock needle is junk. Too course of a thread, and also the venture has to be necked down a little to make needles and running a little smoother.
The AME was better. But I would save my quarters for the Profi or Cylone. If it were me. It was not that long ago that I sold off the last of my VA engines.