Most of you that know me know that I'm a pretty cautious person. I don't bring new products to market, especially products made by someone else, without a lot of testing and observation.
With engines in particular, there are many factors that dictate whether an engine will be a good product. We don't sell most engines, really only the DA line now. In every other case I have found problems that would make most people start muttering to themselves "why did I ever buy that thing?”. Difficulty with installation, poor quality, poor power, too heavy, no exhaust options, dead sticks, hard starting, manufacturing or design defects, all of these potential problems weigh heavy when one is deciding if selling a particular engine is a good idea. After all, my customers trust me to have evaluated and approved a product before I sell it and my image depends on doing a good job.
I’ve tested a dozen different engine from China and Brazil. Until now none of them was something that I though I could sell and be proud of.
I have imported a quantity of the 3mm 53 singles from China. We have two of them flying, one of them is on my mid-KAP and one is on a customer’s 84” Edge V2. I think this one is going to work out to be a product that people will accept and even prefer.
These engines are easy to install, powerful, reliable, smooth, light, and they come with a very nice muffler. They look to be patterned after the 3w line, but there is nothing really equivalent in the 3w product line. It’s a reed valve side carb engine, sort of like a 3w 106 that has been turned on its side and one cylinder removed. Also the exhaust port is different from a 3W, it’s not angled so mounting a muffler is much simpler. So I feel I can safely say it’s not just a clone of a 3w engine, they have made some major improvements in the design.
The engine weighs exactly 8 ounces more than a DA-50. The muffler is very light and as quiet as a wraparound Pitts on a DA-50, if you compare the two that way the weights are almost the same.
Power is excellent. We have measured 6400 rpm on a Mejzlik 23-10 following a long flight, so the engine was good and hot. The other one was measured also about 6400 with a 23-10 bunny prop which loads the engine down more. Operation was very clean, as good as anything else that I have used.
I don’t expect this engine to replace the DA-50. DA has such great support and there is such a wide selection of exhausts, it’s just a great engine. But some guys want something less expensive but don’t want junk, they actually want to fly their planes. The 3mm 53 will fill that void.
I’m selling the first 10 pieces for $350, including the muffler and CDI ignition. After that the price will rise to $439. They should be available this week. They come with a 90 day warranty (repair or replace my choice) and a 14 day “return for any reason” guarantee. I will supply them with a gasket set also, so that if for some reason you need to disassemble the engine you can put it back together. I am keeping a stock of spare parts including ignitions and carburetors.
If this works out as I hope I will have a service facility set up and the warranty period will be extended as we get more experience with the engines.
If you are interested in participating in this trial call me at 817-430-0107. But not Sunday night.
Posts: 11554
Joined: 2/25/2002 From: Central, CA, USA Status: offline
Nothing wrong with the post, or the engine from what I can see. I'm contemplating one of the Caps to try that out on. Better would be 2 more of the 28% Edges so I could do some head to head comparisons between the 3.2 Brison, 3MM, and the Taurus TS52. I have the feeling that the 3MM might well be a winner. You don't have any Edges at the moment. What I don't need is another 50cc engine. I already have three. If that engine has similar porting/timing to those found in the 3W then it will be a powerhouse. I like the muffler design. My only problem is time....and space.
Could be everyone didn't know they were encouraged to respond?
< Message edited by Silversurfer -- 3/13/2007 7:51:20 PM >
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If you can''''t fix it with a hammer, you have an electrical problem.
Posts: 11554
Joined: 2/25/2002 From: Central, CA, USA Status: offline
You could get the engine now, but have to get on the list for the next shipment of Edges. You can't beat the intro price since there's nothing in the 50cc class of engines anywhere near that price.
I'm another that would like to have another of the new Edges. Too good!!
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If you can''''t fix it with a hammer, you have an electrical problem.
The new Edges are, unfortunately, a ways out. But the mid-KAP flies a lot like the Edge except the tail is actually more powerful, I don't know why.
I was flying it a few days ago doing a blender. Now normally you have to use high rates to get a plane to flatten out into a flat spin. The Kap flattened out nicely on low rate, when I flipped the switch to high rates the plane went vertical again and then over into a waterfall.
Yet it will land almost on its own.
I know the plane is odd, but it's really different and a whole lot of fun.
I certainly wish I had more Edges, but one can wish in one hand....
Posts: 285
Joined: 8/17/2004 From: tulsa,
OK, USA Status: offline
Ok, I gotta admit that I don't know a lot about this engine and although I do have one of the new 35% Sukhoi's which is a way cool plane, I can't say for certain what the new 50cc Sukhoi will fly like. One thing I can absolutly say for 100% certain is that I don't have the slightest Idea what "Shred (ing)" means. Is the engine going to implode? Will the plane explode? I think I need to go back to engineering school!
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Joined: 9/30/2002 From: Surprise,
AZ, USA Status: offline
To be honest the warranty is not what I would hope for. I like the 2 year warranty on the DA 50. I have had to use it and it was worth the extra $$$ for sure.
Posts: 11554
Joined: 2/25/2002 From: Central, CA, USA Status: offline
Shoot, the engine is half the price of a DA, before you add for a muffler. If you don't need service why pay extra for it, although that's a subjectthat remains to be seen. Truly, unless an engine was poorly manufactured service is something rarely required unless the owner does something to create a problem. Lean running and over heating are the most common, followed closely by using the engine as a dirt hammer. DA does not provide warranty service for ground impacts either if I have read the pages correctly.
Shread means tear up the sky. It's an old surfin' term. To kick butt, to tear it up. If the 50cc Sukhoi comes in at the weight Tom noted in the thread talking about it, any decent 50 will make it sing. If this new engine is set up similar to the 3W, and I've been informed it is, then it would be an excellent engine for the application.
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If you can''''t fix it with a hammer, you have an electrical problem.
Posts: 22
Joined: 2/17/2004 From: Sharjha, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Status: offline
Well it sounds like a great deal but you gotta bear in mind that the DL-50 is out there selling for US$370 including shipping ( ignition and muffler included ) and thats not just an introductory offer, thats what the normal retail price is !!
In all honesty if your plan is to push it up to US$ 439 then its not the greatest deal out there besides that at least we have lots of flight and test reports on the DL-50.
Just speaking openly as to what went through my mind when I read your post Tom.
On a side note can you post the complete specs of the engine ?
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All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic >> WildHare R/C Support >> New 53cc engine now available 
New 53cc engine now available - 
