I, like many of you, have debated the OS 160/ ST2300 choice for quite a while. I wanted to get up into the 12-15 lb models because of the way they fly, but didn't want to go with a heavy gas engine. I have seen the OS 160 on a couple of planes and I really liked it, but that engine is fairly expensive, so I hesitated on buying one. I'm a big fan of OS engines, and I haven't seen one yet that I didn't like. My only issue with them is the price. So here comes the supertigre 2300. It is almost as big as the 1.60, but half the money. From what I have read on rcu it's very powerful and gives the fx a good run for the money. I know this engine originally was plagued with carb issues that probably keep many of you from buying one. That's why I am posting this, to settle that fear once and for all.

I set my engine up on a test stand and used the stock muffler, gravity feed fuel system, OS F plug, master airscrew 18-8 classic prop. I ran it on powermaster 10%, which has castor in it. It took a little while to start, but I didn't get it very wet. Ran the first 14 oz very rich and it was still cool to the touch while running. I leaned it out on the third tank and saw 7300, still blowing a lot of smoke. I changed the muffler for the next tank to the bisson pitts and it saw 7800, but I had no needle response. There's not enough muffler pressure to get it to richen up at all, so that reading is sort of meaningless. plugging one outlet with my finger cut the noise drammatically and richened it right up. I didn't get a reading in that configuration, but I didn't hear a drop in rpm. After only 3 tanks, it idles great at 1800 and has what I would call excellent transition with acceptable spool up times. The prop is heavy, so going to wood would really help out there. The low end needle is still factory set, and is very rich, but it really performs well, even like it is. I plan on running several more tanks out on the stand before I fly, and I will be plugging both pipes on the muffler with choke plugs to get the backpressure right. Right now, although not having flown it yet, I would say that anyone thinking about this engine should not worry about the bad things you may have heard. I think they've got it running pretty darn well, especially since it's half the price of the competition. I see no reason why this engine won't be turning an 18-8 at close to 8 grand after a few gallons of fuel. That's all the power I need from an engine like this.