Invasionhunter

I just received my new Tiger 2 kit yesterday and after being away from the hobby for the past 17 years I have to say I am excited to be back into the hobby and building again. I have been looking at different engines to put into this new bird and think I have narrowed it down to two. I am thinking about either the O.S. 46 2 stroke or Magnum XL 52 four stroke. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated as well as pros/cons of each.
Thank you,
Glenn

jester_s1

Between those two choices the OS 2 stroke would be my choice. I have a Magnum .52 4s in my .40 size Cub, and it doesn't have nearly the power of the 2 stroke .46 it replaced. To get the same power from a 4 stroke, you'd need to be up around a .65 or .70. FWIW, I'm going to suggest having a look at the Thunder Tiger .46 pro. They are essentially copies of the older OS .46 (FX I believe) and are well made. I'd say they are the best value in RC engines on the market today.

daveopam

My Feedback: (9)

Of those two I would go with the OS. Those Tigers are great flyers. I would suggest a different 4 stroke to you, but the engine compartment is tight on those. Especially if you build it as a trike.


David

da Rock

The 52FS is going to have the power of a 30 two stroke. A 30 two stroke won't fly that Tiger very well at all. Does Magnum make a 75 four stroke? That'd be a more honest comparison.

If you are planning to buy a new engine, then an OS46AX would be a great choice. They break in perfectly with one tank of gas, following OS's instructions, followed by a couple of safely rich flights. I lost count of the 46AXs I've broken in and maidened for guys. And don't remember how many I've had. They are superb engines, maybe the best beginner's engine ever.

da Rock

Those two are both powered by 46AXs. The Tiger2 was assembled in 2006. The Calmato Sport first flew in 2010. I sold the Tiger2 about that time with it's original 46AX on it. Trust me, it had burned some fuel. and some sky...


The Calmato flew about the same as the Tiger2, but my next plane after it was a Tiger60... and there was a 60 size Calmato available.

The Tiger60 maidened behind an OS 60FX. It did have an OS 75AX on it when I sold the sucker. Tigers are good flyers.

Invasionhunter

Thank you all for the input. I will check into the Thunder Tiger .46 as well. It sounds like I am on the right track with the O.S. though. How does the Thunder Tiger .46 compare to the O.S.? Is it as reliable? I will stay away fromeither the Magnum .52orlarger four stroke for now as there is a pretty substantial price difference between those and this is my first plane in 17+ years so there will be a huge relearning I am sure.

Invasionhunter

DaRock those are some sweet looking planes.

I had always heard great things about the Tiger's back when I was flying and figured it would be a goodway to get into it. I flew a club trainer at mylocal club and was toldby the instructor not to waste my time with a trainer as I was still solo and all I needed to do was shake out a few cobwebs (glad he thought so). He told me to buyagood second planeand I figured this wasa good second plane.

da Rock

Most of the popular engines are worth their price. The TT46 two stroke is pretty much equal to the OS46AX in power. Usually the less expensive engines vary in quality more than the more expensive ones vary. Every 46AX I've handled and flown has been a jewel. They really ought to be. They ain't cheap.

Truth is, Thunder Tigers are about the only other engine I've seen at any of the flying fields around here when considering 2strokes around 45-60 size.

RCKen

My Feedback: (9)

As the others have already posted above, go with the OS 2-stroke. The 52 4-stroke engine isn't going to be quite enough to fly a Tiger 2.

Invasionhunter

Thank you all for the responses. I am going to go with the O.S. 46

JohnBuckner

My Feedback: (1)

If you are going with the OS 46 and you are going with a new 46AX (the .46FX I beleve is long gone in new production) I would recommend you make sure you are buying the .46AX series 11 not the older version with the rear needle valve. The Original 46AX was a design orphan and its carburation set up was vastly different from all the other AX's in the series.

The Fx was an excellent engine but the AX's are superb.

Having said that and if you are buying new (excellent) my engine recomendation For that airplane would be either the OS .55AX or even the .65AX agine both superb in many ways as well as probally the best user friendliness avalible.

I tested a Tiger two last year for a fellow that was a retractable and he had a Bar Stock Jett .90 installed great fun and an airplane I would have liked to own. Don,t say that to much anymore about other folks stuff


John

Michel

Hi

Well I have to be dfferent ,........................... For the dollar value and the power, and the weght ,............. OS-55 AX .

Michel

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My Feedback: (1)

if you plan on doing a lot of building and flying stay with a 2 stroke easer to run

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My Feedback: (1)

i also had a 61 os engine in one of them wow

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My Feedback: (1)

stay with os

Invasionhunter

Would the Magnum XL 70 four stroke fit? Or should I stick with two stroke?

JohnBuckner

My Feedback: (1)

Two Stroke

OS 55AX over a Magnum .70FS any day of the week and you will have a better performing airplane as well as an engine that is way ahead in terms of repeatability flight after flight Plus you will find the extreme slant needle with the long flex cable included with the engine makes tuning a a joy instead of a fearful experiance.


Notice the needle valve on the cable on top of the cowling slanting to the rear on my little Ultimate china arf. The engine is 55ax. There is no way I would trade that engine for any four stroke that would be practical in that airplane.

Also yes the Magnum 70FS could certainly be used however you might have to change the throttle pushrod positioning and or change sides with the throttle servo. Along with possibly some minor modifications.

Not everyone thinks four strokes are the best in every airplane even if four strokes are the only way to be politically correct these days. Nope not everyone.

John

bikerbc

I would go with the OS 46 ax ...You can up size later to the 55 as it has the same footprint...If you are just getting back in the OS46 ax will have plenty of power...Thats the plane and motor combo I restarted with and it was perfect....The Tiger 2 is a real nice kit and a nice flying plane..Dont be surprized if it comes out tail heavy...They have long tails and tend to build that way. Just watch you dont build any extra weight into the tail if you can help it...

jester_s1

It would fit. Whether to stick with 2 strokes is your choice. A 2 stroke is easier to tune and take care of and can rev higher with a smaller prop. 4 strokes give you more torque and top out around 10k rpm, turning a bigger or higher pitch prop to compensate for the lower RPM. If you want to emphasize vertical performance and acceleration or just want that throaty growl of the 4 stroke, then go for it. If you want a bit more top end speed and the simplest possible tuning and break in, get the 2 stroke. I can tell you that Magnum 4 strokes take a long time to break in fully because they are ringed. The OS 2 stroke will be ready to fly after 1 tankful with some rich running for the first 5-6 flights. The Magnum will need to be started and stopped 10 times (about 3 minutes per run) before you can even think about flying it, and will likely not maintain a good idle until after 10 flights or more. It won't be at its best until easily 20 flights on it.

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My Feedback: (1)

STAY WITH THE 2 STROKE MORE 2 STROKES AT THE FIELDS THEN 4 STROKES

Invasionhunter

I really appreciate all the responses. I am going to go ahead and stick with two stroke as that is what I know best. I have never had a four stroke but love the sound. Now I just have to decide between .46 and .55. Is there quite a bit of difference in power? Also what fuel and nitro content would you recommend? Around here locally we have Powermaster and Omega (along with cool power).
Thank you all again for the input

daveopam

My Feedback: (9)

5 or 10% is all you need. I run 15% myself, but only because I use the same jug for 2 and 4 stroke planes. 10% is the most popular around here and will run about anything.

David

lkruse

My Feedback: (42)

While either engine would be fine, the nose area ahead of the firewall is not terribly spacious. I installed an OS .46 AX in my Tiger 2 and couldn't be happier with it. It has plenty of power for all sport manuevers and it's easy starting and reliability can't be over-emphasized. It is a perfect combination for the plane. I've attached a couple of shots of my T2 that I've been flying since 2009.

Sport_Pilot

Don't get a poor quality Chinese engine. If you want good quality at a reasonable price call Fox, don't buy on their website. You can trade in a trash engine and get 50% off. Better quality than OS right now. Yes, I know they have had quality issues before but right now they are very good.

www.foxmanufacturing.com

Their phone number is there somewhere and I know they will give you a good deal.


If price is no issue then get a Jett engine. But don't get a Magnum.

Invasionhunter

LKruse,
that is a beautiful plane. Great job on it.

What prop are you using with the .46?

Thanks,

Glenn