ORIGINAL: 3rdworld
What's the word out there on the Mintor 170 Vs the OS 140 RX and the FX160
Is the Mintor as reliable as the OS?
No, not by a long shot, compared to the 140. The 160 is a different animal entirely.
What about the support and the performance.
Support depends on where you are. I'm not sure you'd get good support from Mintor in your location. But then again I have no idea how the support is for OS there either so I couldn't comment. Here in the states Lance at Aeroslave is about as helpful as they come regarding the Mintor. The OS, well it's a large conglomerate company and you will get treated like the next sport flyer they don't care much about. Although parts are readily available.
As for performance, the Mintor wins on top end. I do not believe it is quite as reliable on the bottom as the OS, but it has more punch. It also vibrates like crazy.
I have not seen much on props/RPM/fuel/pipe and setup data.
10-15% nitro is plenty for either one, I prefer 15% cool power. RPM should be kept between 7800-8400. Props used are the APC 16x12, 16x14, 16.5x12w, 17x10, 17x12, 18x8w and a few more wierd ones. On the Mintor add the 17x13 and the 15.75x13 3 blade. One of the best props I've found for the OS140 is the bolly 17.5x12.
Pipes, I like the ES or aeroslave pipe for the OS 140. Either works fine, but I slightly prefer the ES. The Aeroslave pipe seems to have more punch but needs to be tuned a little differently.
So I guess the Mintor isn't very popular.
Not really. In some areas yes, where they can make them run like they want. But the Mintor has a steeper learning curve than the OS 140.
Can any one offer advice? The subject aircraft for the engine will be an Eclipse.
Yep, get and OS 140rx, a hyde mount, a stock OS header, and an ES 2c140m80 pipe. Run a 16.5x12w prop, an OS F plug and 15% nitro with synthetic oil.
Turn the low end screw in a little less than 1/8 turn and run a few tanks through it rich. Then tune it to the rich side of peak and fly it...don't touch t again until the rear bearing fails. Then replace it with the sealed bearing for the OS 140 FI version, and you're good to go.
Happy flying,
-Mike