RE: tuned pipes
Good points made about how to run that engine. A cheap engine needs cheap insurance and I've never regretted adding castor to a fresh gallon of store bought fuel. Guys can talk all day about the negative aspects of running castor, but I've seen power increased in some engines after using castor. I think almost any engine with decent compression and parts that turn without too much slop can be made to run half way decently. I would not throw any money at a Mecoa, but a home made MCP doesn't cost much and they do work.