ORIGINAL: digital_trucker
Cox reeds are set vertically, this makes 'em easy to make, but it forces the incoming charge to change direction and possibly lowers the response time of the reed. A lot of motorcycle 2-strokes use reeds, but they're angled. That should do two things; it should increase the response time and it will give the incoming charge a smoother, more direct route to the crankcase.
Considering how much performance the CL Mouse Racer guys get out of Cox reed engines and the success of reed motorcycle engines I have often thought there a high performance reed 1/2A project just waiting for someone with the smarts and time to work it out.
Take a look at this Japanman thread on more efficient reed configurations.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_14...tm.htm#1464571