What may not be obvious to the newer people about OS Max is the metallurgy. Since the mid 1980's, and the advent of CNC machining , all engines are built to remarkable tolerances. Before that, the parts were just barely interchangable.

But for the last 20 years, the real advances have been in the metallurgy. Other brands might run as good as an OS Max right out of the box. But run those engines week after week, year after year and the OS Max engines hold up where others do not. For this reason, OS Max engines are actually cheaper than the clones.

For the last 20 years, I have only run OS Max and Saito. I can't comment on any other brand. But I do know that I am flying while others are tinkering. Thats says it all to me.