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four stroke opinions, please. - 6/26/2008 9:51:32 PM   
shleprock


 

Posts: 27
Joined: 2/13/2008
From: standish, ME, USA
Status: offline 		I am leaning towards a four stroke for my Tiger 60 when I finish up my training. I don't want to start a conflict about who's better. I would just appreciate some opinions on O.S., Saito, YS, Magnum and Super Tiger. I think I got all the major brands in there. Training is going well. I managed many touch and goes last night, about 20 and only stopped the engine once with a slight boing upon touchdown. Still on the buddy box, but I'm hearing "I got it" much less. The Alpha 60 still looks new. (knock on wood)
       Post #: 1

RE: four stroke opinions, please. - 6/26/2008 10:12:42 PM   
bigedmustafa



Posts: 2617
Joined: 6/19/2005
From: Omaha, NE, USA
Status: offline 		Thunder Tiger (Super Tigre makes 2-strokes) and Magnum 4-strokes are considered the "lesser quality" brands compared to O.S., Saito, or YS engines. If this is true, then there is little mystery why 4-stroke engines are so popular. Thunder Tiger and Magnum make excellent, high quality 4-stroke engines. If these are the worst of the lot, then life is pretty dang good!

O.S. Max introduced the first 4-stroke engines to RC flying. They make very good products at fair prices. The engines are powerful, reliable, user friendly, and durable. They may not be the lightest weight engines in their displacement class, but they're almost never the heaviest, either.

Compared to O.S. Max, Magnum 4-strokes are usually regarded as slightly heavier and not quite as powerful or durable. Thunder Tiger engines of similar diplacement usually compare pretty well with regard to weight and power, but may be a bit more finicky to tune. In my opinion, both Magnum and Thunder Tiger offer very good alternatives to O.S. Max for the modeller who isn't looking to spend "top dollar" to complete a project.

Saito engines were generally considered a bit more pricey, but with O.S. Max engines rising in cost, this isn't necessarily so anymore. Saito engines are sought after for 3D performance because of their light weight relative to other brands at a similar displacement. Saito engines have a reputation for reliability, durability, and great power-to-weight ratios.

YS Engines are high performance, with most 4-stroke models featuring a built-in pump and a supercharger. The extra technology comes at a cost, however, as many pilots report having to send their engines in for factory servicing routinely. Still, most NSRCA pattern pilots who fly glow fly with YS Engines. If you want peak performance, then YS is the last word in glow engines.

With the brands mentioned in this thread, you literally cannot buy a "bad" 4-stroke glow engine in North America. Each brand represents a trade-off in terms of power, weight, flexibility, value, cost, durability, and ease of use. You have to decide which model and brand best fits your personal goals for your project.

_____________________________

To a tree, balsa wood and MonoKote taste just like chicken!

(in reply to shleprock)
       Post #: 2

RE: four stroke opinions, please. - 6/26/2008 10:39:34 PM   
Campgems


 

Posts: 1928
Joined: 2/18/2006
From: Arroyo Grande, CA, USA
Status: offline 		The best dollar value is the Magnum. I have a few of them and they are great running engines. I also have a couple O.S. four strokes, also great running engines. I have one Saito, a 45, great running engine. I have a Thunder Tiger 91 that I haven't run yet.

The foot print of the Magnum 91, O.S. 91 and the Thunder Tiger 91 are all the same. I'm not sure about the Saito in the 91 size.

Like I said, the Magnum 91 is the easiest of the bunch on your wallet. I picked up two last Jan when they were on sale and with the Tower discount at the time, they cost me $125 each. The price today is around $200. The Thunder Tiger 91 is $218, The O.S Fs91 surpass II is $250. Saito 91 special $265. It looks like the YS 110 is the cloest in size and it it $360.

For the TIger 60, I would vote for the magnum. Or the O.S. simple setup, easy to tune and all the power you can use in that plane. For some applications, a more complex, IE pumped engine might be in order. The Tiger 60 is not a plane that is all out performance, but a good solid sunday flyer like the 4*60. My magnum 91 has performed flawlessly in my 4*60.

Don

(in reply to shleprock)
       Post #: 3

RE: four stroke opinions, please. - 6/27/2008 12:15:30 AM   
cruzomatic


 

Posts: 1937
Joined: 1/28/2003
From: San Antonio, TX, USA
Status: offline 		I have two Thunder Tiger four strokes, about 5 Magnum four strokes and one Saito four stroke. All of them are great, great running engines. I do like how the Saito has performed perfect since I took it out of the box. For the money and for your Tiger 60, I'd strongly consider a Magnum 91. Match it up with an APC 14x6 prop and you'll never look back. Plus, you'll probably thank me later.

Good luck with your training. The sheer sound, power and thrust of a four stroke is what will keep you coming back.

soft landings,,

(in reply to Campgems)
       Post #: 4

RE: four stroke opinions, please. - 6/27/2008 1:18:05 AM   
ChuckW



Posts: 1889
Joined: 6/15/2006
From: Clovis, CA, USA
Status: offline 		I've owned both Saito and OS. The Saitos do tend to be a little lighter and slightly more powerful for a given displacement. They can be a little more finicky though in my experience. The OS's just seem to work without a lot of fuss, exactly like their 2-strokes do. OS is my favorite overall.

I've also owned two magnums, a .52 and a .70. The .52 was great but didn't seem to have the power of a friends OS .52. The .70 never really ran well. I always had problems tuning the low end. I've seen plenty of others that run great though, mine may have just been a fluke. Magnums cost less and can run very well but you'll trade a little in fit & finish and power.

I can't really comment on the Thunder Tigers since I have never personally owned one. Their new 4-strokes look very promising though.

(in reply to shleprock)
       Post #: 5

RE: four stroke opinions, please. - 6/27/2008 2:33:24 AM   
Gray Beard


 

Posts: 2023
Joined: 4/21/2003
From: Hemderson, NV, USA
Status: online 		The old addage, you get what you pay for still holds water.
I have seen people with good and bad running Magnums but no mater what one you have they don't seem to last very long before it's time to rebuild.
My number one engine is YS, Servicing routinely??? First time I have ever heard that about them. There is that one extra screw on the bottom that you almost never have to touch so that can confuse some people. I do carry an extra diaphram with me though, I have had those go out on me.
For every day sport flying you can't go wrong with OS and Saito. If you guys have noticed in the last month or so OS has really started going up in price, so far Saito has kept the same prices but that could change any time.
ADVICE: Get the number one engine that you see most often at your club or in your area. It really helps to have someone that knows and understands your make and model engine.
I had two old Pattern Pilots that had been YS guys from day one teach me the ins and outs of that engine. Same thing with OS engines.
I am self taught with the Saitos and I have made some minor mistakes learning there ins and outs but I think I have them figured.

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(in reply to ChuckW)
       Post #: 6

RE: four stroke opinions, please. - 6/27/2008 3:01:26 AM   
w8ye



Posts: 17492
Joined: 12/11/2001
From: Taylortown, OH, USA
Status: offline 		Foot prints

The OS 70, (ASP/Magnum 65/70), (Saito 65,80, & 91) all have the same foot print.

The OS91, ASP/Magnum 91, Saito 100/125, Y-S 91/110, Thunder Tiger 91 all have the same foot print.


If you plan on running true pattern, you would be probably better off with the OS 91 Surpass II engine as that is what most of the SPA guys use.

However, any of these engines will fly your Tiger 60 just fine.

IMHO a new Y-S engine is the smoothest running-most powerful engine of its size made. But if it starts to give trouble, you will have to send it to the service center for repair at the cost of a new Magnum. The other brands you would be likely able to repair yourself.



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Attended the CutFinger Institute of DirtNap University for years but never did graduate....

Club Saito Member #7
Original AMA #31261

(in reply to Gray Beard)
       Post #: 7

RE: four stroke opinions, please. - 6/27/2008 4:23:09 AM   
Charlie P.



Posts: 2281
Joined: 2/25/2003
From: High Above Upstate, NY, USA
Status: offline 		I've owned several of the OS 70II Surpass (now sadly defunkt) and still like the one I have in my Contender 60 bunches. Have not tried the others (though I like the TT 2-strokes) and both the YS and Saito have local followings that are like Honda vs. Toyota arguments.

_____________________________

Charlie P.
"Gravity is weak but it is persistant" AMA 747089/IMAA 30723

Oh Lord, your earth is so hard and my planes are so frail.

(in reply to w8ye)
       Post #: 8

RE: four stroke opinions, please. - 6/27/2008 4:48:51 AM   
JohnBuckner



Posts: 3935
Joined: 12/23/2001
From: Kingman, AZ, USA
Status: online 		You asked for opinions so here goes, If you do not want to use a two stroke then there would only be one engine of choice for me in that airplane, the YS 63s and don,t beleve the hard to maintain business either what happens is guys don,t pay attention to the plumbing which is unusual and requires a one way check valve and get it wrong then start messing with the regulator pressure when in reality all they need to do is pay attention to the plumbing drawing.

If you want Cheap then the YS is not for you. In that case I would rather use a two stroke.

John

< Message edited by JohnBuckner -- 6/27/2008 4:51:03 AM >

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       Post #: 9

RE: four stroke opinions, please. - 6/27/2008 6:18:34 AM   
Gray Beard


 

Posts: 2023
Joined: 4/21/2003
From: Hemderson, NV, USA
Status: online 		OS, YS and Saito are now all within A few bucks of each other so price isn't any big deal anymore. The check valve comes in the box with all new YS engines and Saito has the valve adjusting tools in the box with there new engines.
Only time one of my YS engines has ever been in A shop was when I used my 1.10 as A power driver and I bent the crank and some other minor items. Doing it in soft sand did have something to do with the minor stuff then taking it swimming did it no good in the least.
You really want someone around you that knows and understands these engines or you are going to be one of the people posting here pleading for help because the engine won't run, goes dead stick, blows fuel out the carb or throws the prop when it back fires or when you are trying to start it.
A GOOD instructor is always the key to having A good running engine and understanding it. Two or four stroke.



_____________________________

If drinking and driving are illegal, then why do bars have parking lots???

(in reply to JohnBuckner)
       Post #: 10

RE: four stroke opinions, please. - 6/27/2008 7:34:05 AM   
gaRCfield


 

Posts: 1274
Joined: 5/20/2008
From: Burlington, VT, USA
Status: offline 		From what I have seen, the people with the O.S. engines have the least amount (if any) problems. In my opinion they are the most expensive for a reason.

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..this hobby is doing weird things to me...

(in reply to Gray Beard)
       Post #: 11

RE: four stroke opinions, please. - 6/27/2008 8:04:48 AM   
tIANci



Posts: 8453
Joined: 1/15/2004
From: Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA
Status: online 		I have used the TT, OS, YS, Saito, Magnun and ASP 4C engines. Nothing beats a YS for sure but that is not what people should rush out to buy. Buy something that suits your use first. If you want sport flying then a Magnum/ASP or even the TT is fine for it, they are reliable engines once you understand how to tune them, again that is not difficult to learn at all. If you want true performance then you need the YS, nothing comes close to her.

If you have some money to spend and would love something that advertising has influenced you then the OS or Saitos are what you want. Both are good engines but my personal preferrence is the Saito, why? The looks, its personal. I do find Saitos to perform really well on 25% fuel ... so so nice. Of course a YS should run on nothing less than 25% nitro!

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Its nice to be important, but its more important to be nice ...
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       Post #: 12

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