RCU Forums - View Single Post - Why 2 Stroke Engines are more powerful than 4 stroke Engines
Old 02-19-2007 | 07:34 AM
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B.L.E.
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Default RE: Why 2 Stroke Engines are more powerful than 4 stroke Engines

Another thing that needs to be understood is that the torque needed to turn a prop varies exponentially with the rpm. Double the rpm of a given prop and the torque needed to turn it quadruples. Because of this, it actually takes more torque to turn a 10x6 prop 15,000 rpm than it does to turn a 12x6 prop at 10,000 rpm. Not understanding this relationship leads to the common myth that four strokes make more torque than two strokes do. Without a tuned pipe, two strokes also have a broad power band.

The ironic thing is that as the horsepower race started with four strokes, fueled largely by the old F3A rules that allowed two strokes to be .61 cubic inches but allowed four strokes to be 1.2 cubic inches, four strokes became thirsty, and loud and really critical about prop sizes. Realizing that they have defeated the very purpose of four strokes, the rule has been changed to allow any engine or electric motor of any size as long as the plane stays under the 5 kilogram weight limit.

Here's a picture that shows just how quiet four strokes are. So quiet that mufflers aren't even needed.
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