Stu26

I have just got myself a zen 26 and want to get some parts to increase performance.

It is going in a 30cc Sbach. It's as much a little project as wanting more power.

So far I have ordered

Toni Clark mini pipe
Toni Clark manifold
Toni Clark intake trumpet

I want to get
Rcexl ignition kit
Carb bend

Should I be looking at changing the carb? If I go for the bend the carb will be in fuz so I presume I will need a choke carb.

I am sure some of you guys have some experience with this so would be great up of advice
Was thinking start with a men's 18x8?

BadAzzMaxx

The ignition conversion will not increase power, It will give a little better idle and ease of cranking, A few ounces weight of savings.

Milton

Stu26

I thought the timing on the mag was very conservative? Or will the advance act as you said?

drifter

My Feedback: (53)

Here is a site with a suggestion regarding the G-26


http://www.flygsw.org/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1166367538

Get the most out of your G26 Zenoah is the title and it comments on most of what you have inquired about.

The post is about six years old and a substitute for the recommended carb may need to be found

karolh

Those are some excellent choices in an effort to improve engine performance. The stock carb works quite well and it has been my experience that an increase in venturi size makes tuning extremely touchy, just my 2 cents.

Charlie P.

Only thing I have added to mine is a Bennett smoke muffler and the 45° sloped manifold.

Stu26

I got a response from Toni Clark and he says the new carb will add nothing, so leave that one at no.

Still undecided on the ignition, I will wait and see if it hand starts ok on the magneto.

karolh

Though not a G26 my G23 gave no problems to hand start on it's magneto ignition system, but it is very important to have the prop positioned in the right position and as indicated in the Zen manual for hand starting.

kerwin50

You'll get more power out of it as well going EI. I won't have to swing that magnet

earlwb

The intake tube does help with making the engine better running in the air as it helps to stabilize the air fuel flow going into the carb. But it won't increase performance. Electronic ignition helps to reduce weight and improves how the engine idles and runs, but no performance increase either. Now then different muffler setups can result in a performance increase though, with tuned pipes offering the most increase in power. But a good tuned muffler would offer a excellent compromise with ease of setup and usage though.  Also running a breather tube on the Walbro regulator cover with the tube going back inside the fuselage offers another improvement in how the engine runs too, by stabilizing the atmospheric air pressure inside the regulator to a more stable constant pressure without the variations that happen while the plane is flying around.

dasflugmodele

I am running a G-26 with the supplied ignition module and having problems with the engine quitting in the air. Position of the plane has no real affect on it quitting . Just decides its tired. I suspect the battery for the ignition is the cause. Running 2000 mah pack ,new batteries,nimh. The manual says the ig. can pull 2 amp . I believe the load on the batteries drop the voltage after a short time and it quits. Has anyone used the RC Excel replacement ignition?[:@] Any suggestions are certainly welcome. Engine runs and sarts great. Plenty of power. Just causes to many dead stck ( quasi) landings.

karolh

The power hungry Zen ignition is often a major area of concern for some, while others are quite content to install a fairly large capacity battery and then charge as required. I took the easy way out and fitted an RC exl ignition on my G20 which runs off a 4.8 volt 700 mA Nicad pack which gives more than an hour's run time, with some in reserve. Plus it is a straight plug and play affair.

You can check Milton at RC eXtreme Power or Ralph at RC Ignitions for any additional information you may require.

Stu26

most of the bits are either arrived or on the way list of bits

New NGK spark plug
Carb bend
tuned pipe
manifold
Rcexel ignition

I have also got hold of a WT-540 carb that has a choke so have both the 645 and this one to compare.

Going to start on a Menz 18x8 prop to see how it goes.

Looking forward to getting all the bits on and will take some photos once assembled.

Anything else worth looking at? Do the Ralph Cunningham conversions have any other mods? Bowman ring??

Pelle Gris

If the G-26 is anything like the G-62 adding a tuned pipe will provide a healthy increase in power.
The other items may improve the general operation of the engine, but I doubt that they will add much to the power.

As an example going from a canister, possibly on too long a header, to a KS 1060 tuned pipe, gave an increase of 700 rpm on an Engel Super Silence 24x12 2-blade. From 5.900 to 6.600 rpm. And that´s easily felt in the air. :-)

dasflugmodele

Thanks for the reply. I think I will invest in a new ignition system. Less expensive thn\an losing planes.

larry@coyotenet

My Feedback: (21)

One change no one has mentioned is the prop. G-26's like to rev up. I gained 1,000 rpm and much improved performance by going from a Menz 16X8 prop to a (OH MY GOD!)
Master Air Screw 16 X 8 nylon prop, 8,000 to 9,000 rpm. Other flyers could not believe that the 26 liked that cheap prop, It turned the plane into a rocket ship. Don't know how it would work on an IMAC style plane.
Larry

Whistling Death

Are 30cc engines hard to get in the UK?

karolh

When it's been all put together and running, kindly give us an update as to how it goes.

Stu26

Lol

No 30's are readily available, had early dle side carb and had nothing but issues.

A 26 is plenty of power and I need to get the noise down as we have a fairly strict 82db over here.

And... It's a bit of fun. See what I can knock up!!

Stu26

I took all the magneto bits off tonight and weighed it, 385g. I think the rcexl with a battery will be around 150g so a saving of approx 235g.

When the bits arrive I will weigh them.

So far looks promising.

Bit of luck can get it all built by the weekend and rung it up.

Would you put loctite on everything?

Texastbird

Losing weight is like adding horsepower!

karolh

Blue Locktite on all engine bolts and red on exhaust / muffler bolts

Stu26

I got some parts today.

The rcexl ignition went on no probs. The carb bend came with German instructions, I presume that I have the gaskets in the right order? anyone fitted one?
The position on the new carb means the gas pipe hits ths crankcase, can I just grab it with pliers and turn the brass tube inlet? or will the pipe not melt?

Stu26

bit of research and I need a gasket each side of the insulator, i'll get another ordered. Just the fuel inlet then. mmm...

karolh

Looking real good so far. Yes you need a gasket on each side of the carb spacer, and just go easy with bending the fuel inlet pipe, just bend enough to let the tubing be clear of the crankcase.