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Sig Somethin' Extra Engine tips. - 12/23/2001 10:36:58 AM   
GUNSHIPGUNNER



Posts: 73
Joined: 12/22/2001
From: Pe El, Wa
Status: offline 		I hope the following might be of interest to forum users.

Having built more SEs than I care to count I have amassed a considerable collection of notes on the performance of various engines for the SE.

Here is a list of engines I have tried in various SE's over the past 2 1/2 years .


YS .51 (4 stroke) = A bit to heavy and the engine's center of gravity is too far away from the roll center.

YS .45 (2 stroke) = Makes it's power too far up in the rpm range for good hovering. (max HP is made @ 18,000 rpms)

Saito .72 and .91 Both are WAY to heavy. Just like it states in the instructions, use a 4 stroke if you must but the SE was really designed for a light and strong 2 stroke. Also impacts the roll center in a negative manner.

Tower .46 = Excellent power, light weight but there are other engines that pull the big props better. (11X5 or 12X4)

OS .46 = See Tower .46

MDS .58FS Pro = At 14 ounces this is one of the lightest engines in this size. But it makes it's peak power (1.72 hp) way up at 18,000 rpms

GMS .47 RC = See OS .46 or Tower .46

K&B 4800 .48 ABC = Stonkin strong engine. As strong or stronger than all but one or two in this size. Likes big props. But at nearly 20 ounces it's really too "fat" for the SE.

Fox .46 RC BB ABC Schneurle = At 13 ounces it is the lightest. Not much power, especially lugging power.

Enya .50 CX SNV = STRONG!!! This is one of the best choices but a tad heavy. Loves big props.

Magnum XL-46A RC BB = BORING. 15 ounces and average power.

MVVS 3077 .49 R/C = Light (13 ounces) and makes lots of power. An all around good choice. Excellent throttle response. Add a full length tuned pipe and WOW!!

Thunder Tiger PRO-46 RC BB = Heavy at 16 + ounces. Above average power and likes big wood.

MDS .48FS Pro = At 12.8 ounces this is the lightest of the bunch. But it makes it's peak power (only 1.51 hp) clear up at 19,000 rpms. Does not like big props. I have an almost new one I just took out of SE #13. It's going onto E-Bay.

Here are my 2 favorite engines for the SE.

Webra Speed .50GT RC with a full length tuned pipe. This was my favorite 'till I tried the K&B .61 ring. The Webra is the strongest of all the engines mentioned

K&B .61 Ring PDP. the Clarence Lee modified version makes 1.9 hp and it does it at only 12,000 rpms. PERFECT for hovering and torque rolls. There is no substitute for cubic inches and the .61 only weighs 15 ounces but has so much more torque.

In my opinion the K&B edges all the others out with it's ability to swing a big prop and it's linear throttle response

These bigger props make torque rolls and hovering easier. . With the 12X4 prop the K&B is running just below it's torque peak right at the point of holding the SE in a vertical hover. This is roughly 5/8 throttle. From this point adding some throttle results in the neatest torque rolls. The SE also has UNLIMITED vertical!!


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Sig Somethin' Extra Engine tips. - 12/23/2001 10:25:25 PM   
maverick



Posts: 1575
Joined: 11/29/2001
From: Alameda, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Excellent post. You have obviously spent quite considerable time flying the SE.

I have heard a lot about the Irvine .53, any comments or experience with this engine on the SE?

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Sig Somethin' Extra Engine tips. - 12/24/2001 2:58:06 PM   
GUNSHIPGUNNER



Posts: 73
Joined: 12/22/2001
From: Pe El, Wa
Status: offline 		The Irvine .53 is an excellent choice. One I plan on trying one soon.

A flying buddy has 3 of the Irvine line and he reports them to be very syrong runners that are easy to operate.

BTW: I stuffed my K&B .61 powered SE today. It was the first day of flying weather in 2 months so I took 3 of my planes out behind our shop and took turns flying them.

On my very first flight with the SE it suddenly flamed out in a hover. I was holding a steady throttle at the time. It fell tail first about 15 feet before I got the tail up but by then it was to late.
It continued to fall another 20 feet while flying forward at a very slow speed, caught the right wing and did a nice cartwheel.

It destroyed the first rib bay of the right wing and broke the fuselage part way in half right aft of the wing. It also tore off the tuned pipe and broke my best wooden 13X3.25 prop.

I have already started on the repairs. The plane has over 300 flights and this is only the second crash, the first doing far less damage. Oh well it needed some cleaning up and refitting anyway.

Good luck with the Irvine you should really enjoy it!!

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< Message edited by GUNSHIPGUNNER -- Dec 24 2001 10:00AM >


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Sig Somethin' Extra Engine tips. - 12/24/2001 3:17:05 PM   
GUNSHIPGUNNER



Posts: 73
Joined: 12/22/2001
From: Pe El, Wa
Status: offline 		Here is one of my SE's with a very rare engine.

They were sold by a fellow on the RC aircraft News Group.

Here is a URL showing some engine comparison tests including the Raptor.

http://webpages.charter.net/bobad/engreview.htm

I increased the exhaust port duration to 158 degrees so it would work better with the tuned pipe.

Also I installed a big Perry carb off of a Rossi .90.

It spins a 12X3.25 prop over 16,500 RPMs and has had over 5 gallons of 25% run through it.

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Sig Somethin' Extra Engine tips. - 12/24/2001 9:52:31 PM   
maverick



Posts: 1575
Joined: 11/29/2001
From: Alameda, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks for the feedback. My SE is on the bench now being built. I have finished the wings and am just about to start the ailerons and tail feathers.

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irvine 53 - 12/25/2001 10:59:46 AM   
AzRcpilot



Posts: 75
Joined: 12/9/2001
From: Tucson, AZ, USA
Status: offline 		Im thinking of getting one of these for my SE I have a GMS47 now and it is ok but want more from it and it cant quite do it. Great info on motors.



Mark

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Extra - 12/27/2001 2:21:56 AM   
vanguard



Posts: 265
Joined: 12/5/2001
From: Fairmount, IN, USA
Status: offline 		I started out with an OS46FX on my somethin' extra. It was okay but really didn't perform the way I wanted. I swapped it out with a Saito 72 that I had setting around and the performance is much better. The Saito weighs 1 ounce less (actual wt.) than the OS 46 FX. I run a 12x7 prop and it gives truely unlimited vertical. For whatever reason, even the knife edge improved.

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Sig Somethin' Extra Engine tips. - 12/27/2001 11:45:19 AM   
depfife



Posts: 5057
Joined: 12/5/2001
From: St. Louis, MO, USA
Status: offline 		Gunshipgunner,

I tried to read your post, but that eye was freeking me out.

Eric

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Sig Somethin' Extra Engine tips. - 12/27/2001 4:12:31 PM   
GUNSHIPGUNNER



Posts: 73
Joined: 12/22/2001
From: Pe El, Wa
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by depfife
Gunshipgunner,

I tried to read your post, but that eye was freeking me out.

Eric [/QUOTE]


Eric,

The REALLY weird part is every time someone opens up a page with my eye on it I can actually see the person sitting there at their computer looking at it.

You would be surprised how many folks surf naked!!

AND IT AIN'T ALWAYS PRETTY!!!

CK

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< Message edited by GUNSHIPGUNNER -- Dec 27 2001 9:15PM >

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       Post #: 9

SE engine combos - 12/29/2001 8:30:53 PM   
Spasmaviation


 

Posts: 5
Joined: 12/28/2001
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Status: offline 		Thanks for the helpful engine reviews. I've been flying my SE since the Spring (80+ flights) with an early production run of the OS.46FX (circa 1996). Unfortunately, the engine finally seems to be succumbing to the longstanding problem with these ABN engines...the nickel lining is wearing off. It's been a great engine...and will hold the the SE (4.5lbs) in a hover reasonably well with either an APC 11x4 or a Zinger 12x5 wood. Of course, the 12" prop really puts a load on the engine. The vertical is unlimited but it is slow to climb.

I've been thinking about changing the power for this plane...considering that it was only a couple of days ago that I had my first crunch with it...so your advice about the K&B is much appreciated. I had been wondering about trying a K&B .48...but I like the prospects of the .61 better.

By the way, my crack up was due to the engine fizzling out as I harriered by at about 5'...the plane smacked into an icy SNOWBANK at the end of our runway! I'm sure many of the readers simply can't relate to that kind of experience, eh? I've rebuilt the rightside wingtip and it's ready to recover.

I'm from Ottawa, Canada. The SE is on skiis! There is a slight aerodynamic effect of the skiis...but it is negligible. Your eyes tear up from the cold wind...and you can't feel your thumbs after 7-8 minutes...but it's fun! Our club uses a large municipal garage with office area and 2 garage bays as a clubhouse...It's a good place to warm up...

FYI, Lighter fluid or WD-40 help to ignite cold engines!

Check out our club website at [url]www.ottawarcclub.com[/url] and another local website at [url]www.calmdays.com.[/url]

Thanks again....

What kind of header/pipe combo are you using on your K&B?

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SE with an o.s 46 fx? - 12/29/2001 8:41:12 PM   
roy_fisher


 

Posts: 159
Joined: 12/27/2001
From: ariel, ISRAEL
Status: offline 		hi there
so...how is the SE flying with an o.s 46 fx?
will he have unlimited verticle?
how will he hover?
thank you
roy

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Sig Somethin' Extra Engine tips. - 12/30/2001 1:51:14 AM   
Spasmaviation


 

Posts: 5
Joined: 12/28/2001
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Status: offline 		Roy:

My SE has an OS.46FX without a tuned pipe. I am currently using the stock muffler and APC 11x4, 11x5, or a Zinger 12x5. At 4.5lbs the SE will hover reasonably well with any of these props. It will also go straight up right at take off...but the ascent isn't quick.

If you are still choosing an engine for your SE and really want it to perform hovers, etc., I'd recommend that refer to one of the earlier postings and select a more powerful engine.

The FX is still an excellent engine and will perform flawlessly for years...it's just that the plane will not perform exactly how it could...you could always put a pipe on it...

Finally, you might consider the new OS.50SX ringed engine that has just come out. Also, Webra and Enya make .50s that are very powerful.

Hope this helps..

Happy hovering...

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John Weekes

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Sig Somethin' Extra Engine tips. - 12/30/2001 1:55:05 AM   
Spasmaviation


 

Posts: 5
Joined: 12/28/2001
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Status: offline 		Sorry, I should have asked on my ealier posting. Where do you get the Clarence Lee version of the K&B .61? The only .61s I can find through the mail order houses is the ABC version...the one with the twist off head. It is considerably heavier...

Do I have to call K&B in Calif?

Thanks...

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Just got my Somethin' Extra - 1/19/2002 10:35:33 AM   
RCadmin



Posts: 13218
Joined: 11/28/2001
From: Belle Mead, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		Just bought a SE from somebody this past sunday! Can't wait to wring it out. It has the Enya .50 in it so I'm hoping it will perform like you say. Also have a old K&B .61 sitting in a Contender I'm not flying so if the .50's not enough I can always try that. This is my first fun fly plane and I can't wait to abuse the heck out of it!

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