ORIGINAL: CowboyLifesaver
I have 3 LA engines that have been crashed more times than just about anything on the planet. I think crash test dummies have less crashes on them. They still run and run, not to mention they are really easy to keep running well. I use them on trainers for people to help them get started, and when they move up they give them back and then it goes again and again etc.... LA's fly trainers really nice for training, but I wouldn't put them on anything else. I got the 3 for 100 bucks years ago, was hard to argue that price, and just what I needed at the time.
I would however recommend the 46 AX. Plenty of power and easy to run.
Magnums are really touchy. Had a 52 I had to mess with every flight to get it right.
of the 5+ magnums the 52 is the most touchy, but once you get it right it is a great engine, just go to the field and fight it for one day it usually tames after that (asumbing you know how to tune a engine)
the 46 is much less touchy