RE: Magnum XLS 52 - A 'Hunk of Junk'?
I have a Mag .52 and yes the mid range is very touchy. I have the low end needle set at between 5/8 and 3/4 of a turn out. The Mags are very tight on the pinch at TDC. If you try to run them too rich you can kill this engine real fast. They need to get some heat in them to expand and make the fit right.
They do have some scary power on the top end. I have found that the Thunder bolt long, non idle bar plugs work very well. There have been posts that the Thunder bolt idle bar plugs work well too. I am running a MS 11X7 prop.
Dru.