Personally, I have not found any of the "budget" engines that were not pretty good. By virtue of doing some engine testing, and receiving feedback from qualified individuals..... its pretty rare any of us find engines with fundimental problems.

There always ends up being one or two issues in any product line, but for the most part they can be fixed or overcome easily.

The ThunderTiger engines have been very good in my experience. Fairly well made, good power, well designed.

The Magnum and ASP engines are pretty good too! If anything, the problems associated with any of these engines are almost always attributed to airleaks. Poor installation and fuel system preperation, and improper break-in contributes to most of the other problems. Issue rarely have anything to do with the design or materials...... although it does sometimes have to do with the manufacturing and tolerances.

Last I checked, ASP (and probably magnum) are true chrome ABC construction. They may have changed. I know the ASP .12 .40, 46 and 61 engines I have from 10 years ago are all ABC.

The only engine of late that seems to be a bit odd is the Mag 52. And I have not tested one myself... but from what has been described to me I believe some of the issues can be worked out.

With the correct processes and materials, ABN can function as well as traditional ABC construction. Nothing wrong with it as long as you use good fuel, and take care of the engine.

Of note, the Jett engines all are either True ABC (Aluminum Brass Chrome) or AAC (Aluminum Aluminum Chrome) construction - real chrome. Nelson engines and Performance Specialties replacement liner sets are real chrome too.

Bob