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2 cycle vs 4 cycle - 4/23/2006 4:15:36 AM   
youngorn


 

Posts: 4
Joined: 2/25/2006
From: orangevale, CA, USA
Status: offline 		hey guys I have never owned a 4 cycle and I'am looking at getting one for a plane I'am building. What are the pros and cons of 4cycle engines.
       Post #: 1

RE: 2 cycle vs 4 cycle - 4/23/2006 4:34:55 AM   
w8ye



Posts: 17299
Joined: 12/11/2001
From: Taylortown, OH, USA
Status: online 		When I got my first 4 cycle I treated it pretty much like a 2 cycle. I seemed to get along very well with it.

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(in reply to youngorn)
       Post #: 2

RE: 2 cycle vs 4 cycle - 4/23/2006 4:47:06 AM   
Bass1



Posts: 1716
Joined: 12/26/2002
From: Va.Beach, VA, USA
Status: offline 		Once I started using 4 cycle engines, I sold all my 2 cycle glow engines. Just liked the scale like sound instead of the high pitched scream of 2 cycles. It's kind of strange that now that I have discovered gas engines, I'm getting ready to sell all my 4 cycle glow engines.

(in reply to youngorn)
       Post #: 3

RE: 2 cycle vs 4 cycle - 4/23/2006 5:04:27 AM   
Not24



Posts: 999
Joined: 12/7/2002
From: Gloucester, VA, USA
Status: offline 		Pros

Sound sweet
Swing bigger props
Better thrust at lower rpm's
fuel efficient, till you get up into the bigger sizes like the Saito 1.80

Cons

Generally more expensive
typically a little heavier
more moving parts, and a little more maintenance required


I personally don't own a four stroke, but that is strictly for economic reasons. When I look at what $200 buys in a four stroke, and realize that a 2 stroke for the same money will be much larger, I go with the 2 stroke. There is something about the 4 strokes that if you ever start running them, you'll not go to a 2 stroke. They make the flying experience just a little sweeter than running a 2 stroke.

Having said that, it really depends on what type of plane and what type of flying you want to do. If you are into speed planes, the two stroke is the ticket. If you are into aerobatics, 3D, fun flying, or sport flying, the 4 stroke is at home. You wouldn't expect to see a 4 stroke on a F-20 Tigershark.

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       Post #: 4

RE: 2 cycle vs 4 cycle - 4/23/2006 5:33:58 AM   
Mettler1


 

Posts: 439
Joined: 1/12/2002
From: Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Status: offline 		The SOUND!!! If it looks scale I need a 4 stroke in it. If it looks generic it gets a 2 stroke. Either one runs well if set up correctly.


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RE: 2 cycle vs 4 cycle - 4/23/2006 6:34:16 AM   
loughbd


 

Posts: 2111
Joined: 11/29/2003
From: Bremerton, WA, USA
Status: offline 		You sold all your two cycle engines because you didn't like the scream sound and now you want to get rid of the 4's and get gas engines?? The last time I ran my Zenoahs, they were two cycles and sounded like whiney chain saw engines.

(in reply to Bass1)
       Post #: 6

RE: 2 cycle vs 4 cycle - 4/23/2006 1:09:04 PM   
Semi Retired Aviator



Posts: 474
Joined: 9/20/2003
From: Melbourne Victoria, AUSTRALIA
Status: offline
Each has its own application, but I make the application fit the 4 stroker. I don't own any 2 strokes now and won't buy any more.

Siomple 4 strokes like OS are great, uncomplicated engines.

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       Post #: 7

RE: 2 cycle vs 4 cycle - 4/23/2006 2:25:03 PM   
IronCross



Posts: 2409
Joined: 8/18/2002
From: NearBy, AZ, USA
Status: offline 		As above,,, There is something about the sound that gets you... I too have been selling off my two stroke and going with the 4 strokes... I have a Saito .72 that sounds just like a Harley at idle.. I like to taxi it out to the runway and let it sit for a minuet or so just to listen too it...

< Message edited by IronCross -- 4/23/2006 3:29:58 PM >

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       Post #: 8

RE: 2 cycle vs 4 cycle - 4/23/2006 2:54:47 PM   
aussiesteve


 

Posts: 1033
Joined: 10/12/2005
From: TEDA (Tianjin)Tianjin, CHINA
Status: offline 		I'll second that!
Before I came to the US shores - I had nothing but 2 strokes - Now I'm so addicted that I only have 4 strokes (All Saito's) in my own models (gave the 2 strokes to my sons to play with) - just can't beat that sweet running & sweet sound. - The only exceptions are the 2 "Adrenaline rush" models - a Delta and a Sig Wonder - and the electrics of course but I'd better not mention those.

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       Post #: 9

RE: 2 cycle vs 4 cycle - 4/23/2006 3:37:30 PM   
DarZeelon



Posts: 6975
Joined: 4/9/2003
From: Rosh-Ha'Ayin, ISRAEL
Status: online 		The 'scale' sound???





A triple cylinder four-stroke sound may more closely resemble a full-size war-bird engine, with its 'staccatto' note.

There was a recording of one (a Saito 4.50) in a thread, a few months ago.

< Message edited by torque wrench -- 4/23/2006 6:56:41 PM >

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       Post #: 10

RE: 2 cycle vs 4 cycle - 4/23/2006 4:00:22 PM   
downunder



Posts: 3168
Joined: 10/10/2002
From: Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: DarZeelon

The 'scale' sound???

Are all of you out of your mind, or do you think the sound of your Briggs & Stratton lawn mower remotely resembles that of a real Spitfire, or Mustang?...

You've obviously never heard my lawn mower running.........

(in reply to DarZeelon)
       Post #: 11

RE: 2 cycle vs 4 cycle - 4/23/2006 4:00:46 PM   
aussiesteve


 

Posts: 1033
Joined: 10/12/2005
From: TEDA (Tianjin)Tianjin, CHINA
Status: offline
quote:

Are all of you out of your mind, or do you think the sound of your Briggs & Stratton lawn mower remotely resembles that of a real Spitfire, or Mustang?...



Of course we are out of our minds - we're aeromodellers.


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       Post #: 12

RE: 2 cycle vs 4 cycle - 4/23/2006 5:59:19 PM   
B.L.E.


 

Posts: 1293
Joined: 8/27/2005
From: Austin, TX, USA
Status: offline 		It is impossible to make a model sound exactly like it's full scale counterpart. The full scale's sound is a combination of engine, propellor, and airframe sounds. Even if these sounds could be exactly reproduced, the doppler effect would be wrong if we fly at scale speed. The last time I saw a Corsair do some high speed strafing passes at an airshow, it did not sound like a lawnmower!

Two stroke engines are very user friendly....if you stay away from tuned pipes and such. Many of them are actually quieter than 4-strokes, especially if you don't prop them for "maximum scream", thanks to the excellent mufflers being supplied by O.S. and some others. They can also turn big props at low rpm, especially when you get to the .90 and above size range. The ability to turn large props has nothing to do with the 2-stroke cycle, it is about the way the engine is tuned. Tune a 4-stroke for 20,000 rpm and it also will need small props. The two stroke engines also seem to have a lower reliable idle than the four strokes. (better Richmond ratio) No need to have wingwalkers hold your plane back while you get ready for takeoff. Also, most of them are happy with low nitro fuel.

< Message edited by B.L.E. -- 4/23/2006 6:06:14 PM >

(in reply to DarZeelon)
       Post #: 13

RE: 2 cycle vs 4 cycle - 4/23/2006 6:16:11 PM   
Rebellion



Posts: 977
Joined: 2/22/2004
From: Central, GA, USA
Status: offline 		Gotta agree with Dar and B L E about the sound. Honestly, the only model engines in widespread use that sound like full scale are the turbines.

So far I only own one four stroke, a Saito 82. Great running engine, but I still like the two strokes for their simplicity. Just fewer parts to break. Also, I still prefer the sound of a screaming two stroke. Give me a Jett any day.

Dave

< Message edited by e-dave -- 4/23/2006 6:18:52 PM >

(in reply to B.L.E.)
       Post #: 14

RE: 2 cycle vs 4 cycle - 4/23/2006 6:35:24 PM   
tukkus


 

Posts: 910
Joined: 6/26/2004
From: salisbury, MA, USA
Status: offline 		BLE... i think it's time to use one of your old quotes

quote from BLE

"This is a HOBBY so we don't need no stee