Evolution 40GX..my attempt at a review
#1
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My Feedback: (28)
Evolution 40GX..my attempt at a review
Introduction
A friend and I were recently looking at the fuel prices and like many others were quickly seeing the value in the gasoline engines over nitro even at today's gas prices. We were looking for a gas engine that would fit at least mostly in the cowl of the Hangar 9 P-51 1.50 size ARF. There are many offerings out there that would have done the deed, but we were building a stand off scale replica of a Reno Air Racer. We were looking for a "big" motor to swing a big prop and get some high speed. We decided on the Evolution 40GX. Evolution has 8 gas engines ranging from the 26cc 26GX to the 7 cylinder 260cc 4 stroke radial. There isn't much about Evolution engines in RC forums, and threads about the Evolution 40GX are pretty much non existent. So without further delay....
Specs *from horizonhobby.com*
The Evolution 40GX is a 40cc 2 stroke gasoline engine designed to be used in larger 1.80 and 2.20 airplanes.
Type: 2-stroke gasoline engine
Displacement: 2.4 cu in (40cc)
Bore: 38.0mm (1.5 in)
Stroke: 35.0mm (1.38 in)
Cylinders: Single
Engine (Only) Weight: 1451 g (51.2 oz)
Crankshaft Threads: M10 x 1mm
Prop Range: 20 x 8 to 22 x 10
RPM Range: 1,500 to 9,500
Fuel: Gasoline w/oil mix 40:1
Mounting Dimensions: 182 x 84 x 118mm
Cylinder Type: Ring
Carb Type: Walbro 2-needle
Crank Type: Ball bearing
What's in the box?
The engine is well packed with several pieces of foam. Included are the engine, electronic ignition with ground, timing, and spark plug wire ready to be connected, NGK spark plug, spark plug wrench, and instruction manuals. The Evolution 40GX does not come with a muffler. For inverted applications, the Evolution inverted pitts muffler is the perfect match though it does take up a bit of room. Bisson makes several different types of muffler for many applications for the Evolution 40GX. The engine is shipped with break in settings from the factory which require very little adjustment after break in. Horizon Hobbies has technical support available for this engine. This is a nice looking engine with the lines of a front mounted carburetor 2 stroke glow engine, and tab mounts molded into the crank case, which should make installation a breeze in most applications. The instructions are straight forward, and easy to understand even for my first gas engine. It looks like Evolution left very few questions for the person new to gas engines.
Installing
In my application using the Hangar 9 Ultra Motor Mount which I use in every application which I can, it was very simple. As stated, the 2 stroke glow type mount of the Evolution 40GX made it a snap. Having such a big engine in a 1.50 size plane did require some adjustments, but it was simple with this engine. Take your measurements, mark and install just like you would a typical 2 stroke. It's that simple. Having said that, you will need to first take into consideration placement of the ignition. We all read time after time to place the ignition as far away from the receiver and servos as possible. This is the only real complication of the installation. You are going to need an extra battery to run the ignition. You can use up a 6 volt to 7.4 volt lipo battery with this ignition. To recap, plan for an extra battery, plan out the placement of the ignition box, and running the wires, install the included spark plug with the spark plug wrench that comes in the box, and after that the actual installation is simple. This engine is the standard carburetor forward design, so fitting it into some tight cowlings for a clean look is much easier in most cases. Break in is 30:1 for the initial run, then 40:1 for the first batch of flights. Break in is simple.
Flight
Although I haven't gotten hangar 9 Mustang finished and flown with the 40GX, I have one available to me in the Top Flite giant scale 86" P-40. The recommended engine for that P-40 is a 43cc to 50cc gas engine. Keep in mind we are flying at 4800' ASL here in the Reno/Sparks area. Although the 40GX is only 40cc, it pulls the P-40 along in the air with a 20X8 3 blade with ease. It flies at a perfect scale with the 40GX. Verticals are not unlimited with the big P-40, but I completely expect verticals to be unlimited in the Mustang. Transition in the throttle is always smooth with no hiccups occurring except when an adjustment was needed during the break in period flights. The 40GX has performed flawlessly through many scale warbird maneuvers, and I expect it to perform just as well in 3D applications. The engine was much cooler than anticipated upon landing and with the use of an external ignition switch, shut down was perfect without backfires, reverse running, or over runs. Simply set the choke before turning on the ignition, and flip through a few turns until you have fuel flow. Advance the throttle to turn off the choke, and back to idle, then turn on the ignition. So far the engine has fired on the first flip after the ignition is turned on using this method on every occasion. There have been no dead sticks in 9 flights, and zero ignition interference has been noticed in the controls. This engine sips gas. Starting the day with a half tank provided for four flights and more than 1/4 tank left over at the end of the day. The receiver and servos used more battery power than the 40GX used gas.
Summary
The 40GX sells for $499.99, and in my opinion is worth every penny. It comes with everything you need to install and operate the engine with the exception of the battery. There is a lot of power in a package about the size of the old Evolution 35GX, and quite a bit more than I had expected for a 40cc gas engine. It has turned my Solo Props 18" 4 blade at a 8 and 10 pitch with ease and very little drag on the engine or excessive heating. With the carburetor forward, side exhaust nitro 2 stroke setup this is a fine engine for many applications. The performance in an airplane designed to run with larger engines is impressive. For the ease this engine is to use and set up, the $499.99 price tag has been worth every penny so far. When I get the mustang done, I'll post more pictures and I'll also post more pictures in general as soon as I can get my camera to stop giving me fits. For now I'll upload a stock image.
More information and to order
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...rodID=EVOE40GX
All testing is done here:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10...m.htm#10679462
A friend and I were recently looking at the fuel prices and like many others were quickly seeing the value in the gasoline engines over nitro even at today's gas prices. We were looking for a gas engine that would fit at least mostly in the cowl of the Hangar 9 P-51 1.50 size ARF. There are many offerings out there that would have done the deed, but we were building a stand off scale replica of a Reno Air Racer. We were looking for a "big" motor to swing a big prop and get some high speed. We decided on the Evolution 40GX. Evolution has 8 gas engines ranging from the 26cc 26GX to the 7 cylinder 260cc 4 stroke radial. There isn't much about Evolution engines in RC forums, and threads about the Evolution 40GX are pretty much non existent. So without further delay....
Specs *from horizonhobby.com*
The Evolution 40GX is a 40cc 2 stroke gasoline engine designed to be used in larger 1.80 and 2.20 airplanes.
Type: 2-stroke gasoline engine
Displacement: 2.4 cu in (40cc)
Bore: 38.0mm (1.5 in)
Stroke: 35.0mm (1.38 in)
Cylinders: Single
Engine (Only) Weight: 1451 g (51.2 oz)
Crankshaft Threads: M10 x 1mm
Prop Range: 20 x 8 to 22 x 10
RPM Range: 1,500 to 9,500
Fuel: Gasoline w/oil mix 40:1
Mounting Dimensions: 182 x 84 x 118mm
Cylinder Type: Ring
Carb Type: Walbro 2-needle
Crank Type: Ball bearing
What's in the box?
The engine is well packed with several pieces of foam. Included are the engine, electronic ignition with ground, timing, and spark plug wire ready to be connected, NGK spark plug, spark plug wrench, and instruction manuals. The Evolution 40GX does not come with a muffler. For inverted applications, the Evolution inverted pitts muffler is the perfect match though it does take up a bit of room. Bisson makes several different types of muffler for many applications for the Evolution 40GX. The engine is shipped with break in settings from the factory which require very little adjustment after break in. Horizon Hobbies has technical support available for this engine. This is a nice looking engine with the lines of a front mounted carburetor 2 stroke glow engine, and tab mounts molded into the crank case, which should make installation a breeze in most applications. The instructions are straight forward, and easy to understand even for my first gas engine. It looks like Evolution left very few questions for the person new to gas engines.
Installing
In my application using the Hangar 9 Ultra Motor Mount which I use in every application which I can, it was very simple. As stated, the 2 stroke glow type mount of the Evolution 40GX made it a snap. Having such a big engine in a 1.50 size plane did require some adjustments, but it was simple with this engine. Take your measurements, mark and install just like you would a typical 2 stroke. It's that simple. Having said that, you will need to first take into consideration placement of the ignition. We all read time after time to place the ignition as far away from the receiver and servos as possible. This is the only real complication of the installation. You are going to need an extra battery to run the ignition. You can use up a 6 volt to 7.4 volt lipo battery with this ignition. To recap, plan for an extra battery, plan out the placement of the ignition box, and running the wires, install the included spark plug with the spark plug wrench that comes in the box, and after that the actual installation is simple. This engine is the standard carburetor forward design, so fitting it into some tight cowlings for a clean look is much easier in most cases. Break in is 30:1 for the initial run, then 40:1 for the first batch of flights. Break in is simple.
Flight
Although I haven't gotten hangar 9 Mustang finished and flown with the 40GX, I have one available to me in the Top Flite giant scale 86" P-40. The recommended engine for that P-40 is a 43cc to 50cc gas engine. Keep in mind we are flying at 4800' ASL here in the Reno/Sparks area. Although the 40GX is only 40cc, it pulls the P-40 along in the air with a 20X8 3 blade with ease. It flies at a perfect scale with the 40GX. Verticals are not unlimited with the big P-40, but I completely expect verticals to be unlimited in the Mustang. Transition in the throttle is always smooth with no hiccups occurring except when an adjustment was needed during the break in period flights. The 40GX has performed flawlessly through many scale warbird maneuvers, and I expect it to perform just as well in 3D applications. The engine was much cooler than anticipated upon landing and with the use of an external ignition switch, shut down was perfect without backfires, reverse running, or over runs. Simply set the choke before turning on the ignition, and flip through a few turns until you have fuel flow. Advance the throttle to turn off the choke, and back to idle, then turn on the ignition. So far the engine has fired on the first flip after the ignition is turned on using this method on every occasion. There have been no dead sticks in 9 flights, and zero ignition interference has been noticed in the controls. This engine sips gas. Starting the day with a half tank provided for four flights and more than 1/4 tank left over at the end of the day. The receiver and servos used more battery power than the 40GX used gas.
Summary
The 40GX sells for $499.99, and in my opinion is worth every penny. It comes with everything you need to install and operate the engine with the exception of the battery. There is a lot of power in a package about the size of the old Evolution 35GX, and quite a bit more than I had expected for a 40cc gas engine. It has turned my Solo Props 18" 4 blade at a 8 and 10 pitch with ease and very little drag on the engine or excessive heating. With the carburetor forward, side exhaust nitro 2 stroke setup this is a fine engine for many applications. The performance in an airplane designed to run with larger engines is impressive. For the ease this engine is to use and set up, the $499.99 price tag has been worth every penny so far. When I get the mustang done, I'll post more pictures and I'll also post more pictures in general as soon as I can get my camera to stop giving me fits. For now I'll upload a stock image.
More information and to order
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...rodID=EVOE40GX
All testing is done here:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10...m.htm#10679462
#9
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (28)
RE: Evolution 40GX..my attempt at a review
Sorry, Was just a simple quick review attempt. I do believe, if memory serves me correctly, we were getting 5600rpm with a 18X8 3 blade, 5400 with a 18X10 3 blade, and the 18X8 4 blade was about the same as the 18X10. We are also at 4600' ASL here in the Reno area.
#10
RE: Evolution 40GX..my attempt at a review
i liked your review, but as a modeler who would buy the best bang for the buck, this engine wouldn't even tempt me to buy.
your summary says it all.............to YOU, it's money well spent, but for the modeler who would go for best power to weight ratio and cost, this engine falls short.
you are having fun with it and it's performing as a trouble free product should, so it's natural to be enthusiastic and write a good review.
this would have been better posted on the "gas engines" forum where the gas gurus could post some input on the engine as well.
ask Minn to move it there where all the gas guys can read it.
your summary says it all.............to YOU, it's money well spent, but for the modeler who would go for best power to weight ratio and cost, this engine falls short.
you are having fun with it and it's performing as a trouble free product should, so it's natural to be enthusiastic and write a good review.
this would have been better posted on the "gas engines" forum where the gas gurus could post some input on the engine as well.
ask Minn to move it there where all the gas guys can read it.