Airtech,
Thanks for the info....
By the way, I have had a evelution 26gt and with a tuned pipe/header combo. It is very powerful for it's size and with the right size plane to match that engine, it would be lots of fun. Interesting enough, I was going to put it in a QQ 73 yak, but I already have a plane that size and thought it would be a waste to have 2-planes almost the same size. I have the tuned pipe/header and round alum mounting plate for sale if you are interested..... It was a very nice engine and started very easy. I did end up with a ignition problem that went in for service. I was able to get full credit Hence the 400$ credit a horizon after some lengthy talks with the service mgr. I just ended up with a bad ignition..... Not the engines fault. If I didn't have a plane the same size as the qq yak 73, I wouldn't hesitate placing that engine in the qq yak or the new Extreme flight yak that has come out...... Great combo, and would give hours of hastle free flights..... May not give extreme pull out of hovers but if you put a pipe on it (QQ did not have one on his plane) it would be a 2-3 hundred aRPm more giving about 14lbs of thrust (I think) sure seemed like more when I ran it..
ORIGINAL: AirTech
I have a Evolution 45, and a 58, also a ZDZ 40RV which I fly in a GP Patty Wagstaff Etxra 300. The ZDZ 40 is plenty engine for the Wagstaff although it weights close ro 18 pounds. The ZDZ I bought used with 1 gallon of fuel on it. It has taken well over three gallons to break-in and finally is getting to the point were it starts on the first few flips. Otherwise the power is awsome for such a small displacement, even with a Bisson Pitts waraparround muffler.
On the other hand the Evolutions have been flawless since day one. The 45GX ran like a clock since new, and I have not touched the needles at all. So far it have 2 gallons though it and it always starts on the first couple of flips,. I am really impressed with the power output from these engines, and the power to weight ratio is one of the best ones out there. I will bet anything the 45GX will give the DA50 a run for the money installed in similar airframes. The 58GX is basically a 60 size powerplant in a 50 size package. For serious IMAC competition or plain sport flying, even when using the more restrictive Pitts style mufflers these engines provide tons of power.
I agree with kochj in that there is more hype than fact out there. Don't get me wrong, the DA is a fine and reliable engine, but it's not the only alternative nowdays. Heck these days even the least expensive chinese built engines like the BCMA, and SPE are a very reliable, powerful, and inexpensive powerplants.
The fact is that the folks at DA provides excellent service, and customer support. RCShowcase is somewhat slow in servicing their engines, but Horizon provides very good support for the Evolution engines. By the way, if you are not aware, Evolution gas engines are manufactured by MVVS in the Czech Republic. MVVS is notably famous in Europe for manufacturing excellent glow and now gas engines of the highest quality. There are imported in Canada by [link=http://www.mvvs-canada.com/products.php?cat=2]OTN RC Imports[/link] and they offer service, parts and supoort, in case you are not satisfied with Horizon Hobbies support.
I would not hesitatate in purchasing another Evolution engine. And in fact I am thinking on purchasing a 26cc Evolution after seeing the reviews on the 26cc Evolution (see [link=http://www.somenzini.com/html/aircraft/yak73report.html]QQ Report[/link]) powering the new Somenzini 73!QUOT! Yak.