webdr

I am building a Yellow Aircraft P-40 and Im at the point of selecting my engine.

Im undecided between the DA-50R and the DLE-55
Both have the same exhaust port location so I can run the Keleo scale exhaust.

Both can swing the 22x10N 3-blade that I will be using.
The DLE-55 is rated at 5.5hp and weighs 2.9lbs
The DA-50R is rated at 5hp and 3.13lbs

Im steering towards the DLE-55 because on paper it has .5 hp more, is slightly lighter, and costs almost $200 less than the DA-50R

Can someone tell me why I would choose the DA-50R over the DLE-55?
Does the $200 difference equate to better quality and longevity?

soarrich

My Feedback: (98)

Both engines are fine. You're paying for a higher standard of quality with the DA, the DL come DLE is a clone of the DA so they thought the DA is pretty good too! I think most guys can get away with buying Chinese, but if you need/want the highest confidence in the product and the servicing the DA is the way to go.

rcplanenut

My Feedback: (12)

Save some money and go with the DLE55. Bottom line, they are both great motors. The only problem I had with my DL50 is the stock muffler is junk, but you will be using something else anyway. I also had a DA50 (serial#19). It had some problems at the beginning, but DA service is the best!!! If you buy a DLE from a US dist. (Troybuilt, TowerHobbies, ValleyView) you will also get good service. Some better than others but all will OK. Just my opinion.

JOHNS3D

My Feedback: (5)

so the DA30 that will be soon out there will be a clone of the DLE30 lol

Both engines are fine.... but from what i see on my field and forums....DLE55 is really good engine, some poeple was tired to have dead sticks and crash with "others" engine and installed a DLE.

Good luck!!.

soarrich

My Feedback: (98)

If a company comes out with a engine that's the same displacement as another it might be a clone, but having the same size doesn't make it a clone. From what I understand most the parts of the DL interchange with the DA, that's a clone. A MT50 is not a clone of the DA50, they just happen to have the same displacement.

JoeAirPort

My Feedback: (41)

I have a DL-50 and DLE-55 and love them both. Used to have a DA-50.

webdr

if you had to recommend one over the other...?

JOHNS3D

My Feedback: (5)

dle is new version and has more power than DL50. get it from www.valleyviewrc.com or contact jedyjodi here on the forum. The best costumer service on the planet.

soarrich

My Feedback: (98)

I have a DL50, my friends have DA50s both good motors, but if there was a DA50 and a DLE55 on the table and someone said take one, I bet the DA50 would go 90% of the time. Is it worth another $200? Not to me, I bought the DL50, but if I had one gas engine rather than 15, and I really didn't know much about them, I would have bought the DA50.

Eagleburger

Had both DL-50 had a little more power, DA was smoother.

If I was to buy another 50 it would be the DA. If you are prone to crashing the DLE is the engine for you. They are definitely cheaper.

My 0.02

flyerdave

My Feedback: (212)

I have two 50cc engines,a DL50 and a DA50.Both are great engines.Can't say that I would promote one over the other except that DA's service is second to none.If you ever have to send an engine to Desert Aircraft,you will love the quality service.Is that worth the extra $200.00? I guess the jury is still out on that one.

mrbigg

My Feedback: (21)

His DA 50 ran like crap and caused a crash and loss of an airframe if I'm not mistaken. The DA 50 is not without issues.

JoeAirPort

My Feedback: (41)

Actually the air frame survived unscathed and went on to be sold after 3 good seasons. My DL-50 and DLE-55 have been great engines.

mrbigg

My Feedback: (21)

My bad Joe, I thought it smoked the airframe. I'm thinking about picking up a 55 myself this spring.

PLANE JIM

My Feedback: (109)

zenoah

MetallicaJunkie

.... for warbirds that need all the nose weight you can get, and run extremely reliable.

cuwaert

So bottom line, both good engines but the DA is prettier than the cheaper ones . Some people don't care others do so they make the business of DA, 3W, MVVS , ZDZ ... all good engines without any doubt.
Now suppose the Chinese start making their engines just as pretty??.
I know the concern about the western industry and employment but the world is changing all the time weather you like it or not and I suppose this leads to the next of the so much adaptation exercises.
OK let's open a can of creativity again , it's that or die, and maybe the 30cc of DA is a humble start but the Chinese are
quick copiers, so it should be something less simple than another piston and essential parts, think think, time is catching up on us.... but also on the Chinese because they won't keep working for nothing for ever just as the Japanese didn't 30 years ago.

JoeAirPort

My Feedback: (41)

Many air frames did get smoked so that's probably what was in the back of your mind. I was very fortunate. That PAU Edge seems to have 9 lives because it's completing its 4th season and 2nd owner. I flew the heck out of it too, it should really be in pieces.

side oiler

My Feedback: (24)

Been listening in....Very helpful guys.. thank you

locomotive73

My Feedback: (50)

i have seen (3) 3000.00 airplanes crash because of the da 50........(same guy)......
he purchased a dl50 bought aanother 3000...composite arf ...and has been flying it since.no problems at all......not even a sputter like the da does ....not even on break in procedure...so i went with the dl also....and i havent have a minutes trouble ...and it flys 4 days a week ..about 3 to 4 hours a day......it gets alot of flight time


so take that advice for what its worth .....happy flying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ANDREW

webdr

Hey Loco, I am from Savannah as well, I grew up on Wilmington Island and flew at the tri-county field.

Tony Hallo

Andrew,
I'll give you the first one, the next two fall on the pilot/owner, not the engine, whatever brand it happens to be. Most crashes need only a mirror to determine the root cause.

rcplanenut

My Feedback: (12)

Did you send the motor back to DA after each of the crashes? I'm guessing no, because DA would have fixed it the first time. If you didn't then it's not the motor it's the pilot

JOHNS3D

My Feedback: (5)

a friend crash 3 times on his yak due a dead stick on his DA, he sent everytime the engine to inspect and service....then the same dead stick, same happen, inverted and hover. He was so tired to buy airframes that he just installed a DLE55, of course he never told us cause he was always saying that DL was a cheap engine. At least he understood that blink doesnt give more power. He really know how to fly his 150cc Extra and the yak, also engine tune...but maybe was bad luck. Right now no more dead sticks.

locomotive73

My Feedback: (50)

planent and tony ......yes the engine was sent in each time ...and same problem....ran fine on the ground ....when in air it too a crap again and again.........im sold on DL..........they are cheaper and better .....DA is just a overpriced name !!!!! so good luck with them ..if u like to rekit planes