They can last as long as you take care of them. I have my original 160DZ test engine from November 2003 and it has 3 seasons and well over 800 flights on it. During that time it has gotten new gaskets, o-rings and piston ring about every 250-300 flights depending how its performing.

Its still on original bearings! Next rebuild in about 50-100 flights will get a new con-rod for good measure and bearings. Perhaps evena new cam. But this is 3 years of flying and the engine has been awesome.

So they will last a long time if you take care of them.

To ask how long they will last is very dependant on how you treat them. Run it until it won't run anymore and you have a heavy repair bill when something fails. But keep an eye on the parts and see if anything is getting loose of sloppy like con-rods, or perhaps the cam gear can get worn. Then the repairs are very easy and cheap.

I rebuild (piston ring and seals) when I notice the power drop off a couple hundred rpm. This is usually about 250-300 flights.

Run them lean and under high loads and it might get you 50 flights. I don't do anything special other than I lube them up before I run them the first time. I put oil in the cam gear area and pour some oil in the carb to lube the bottom end. That's it. I have 3 160's and two of them are production engines right out the same box as any other motor from Central Hobbies. My test engine was the first one I had it has most flights and time. I got a new 160 this past spring and it is only about 200 flights old same story its still running great. I also have a 170 test engine that is about 200 flights old and its been excellent also.

Troy Newman
YS Performance