ORIGINAL: bigedmustafa
The original poster, blacktails, didn't ask anything pertaining to the price of equipment or anything of a "this brand" vs. "that brand" nature. Since he happily shelled out the cash for a Pulse XT 40 ARF and a Saito .62 4-stroke and then decided he should get another plane together to fly first, I don't think saving $20 or $40 is his top concern. Answering questions that haven't been asked will be of little help.
He just wants a good .40 or .60 size trainer that will fit in his truck. He'd prefer a bolt-on wing rather than a rubber-band-and-dowels setup, but he'll go with rubber bands and dowels if the "experts" recommend it. He already has a K&B .40 2-stroke and a Saito .62 4-stroke and he wants to know which, if either, he should use on his trainer.
If you think the original poster should buy a particular engine, or if you have any other advice for setting up a good trainer, simply explain why.
Beginners crash. Crashes break airframes and damage motors. So are spares available for K&B .40 size 2strokes?
Since money does not appear to be a concern a new motor will not only provide some experience on running in but also there will be many people familiar with a newer design so troubleshooting will be quicker since issues are mostly known and the fixes readily available. Anyone with experience on a K&B around here?? Another thing, cheap motors from 25 years ago were un reliable. Today cheap engines run just as well as more expensive ones. An unreliale engine is the worst thing for a beginner. You don;t want to be flipping props over while everyone else is flying...
So again, I will recommend GMS 2000, ASP.XX .XX, Evolution XXNX, or Magnum XLS.XX for a first glow motor since these are cost effective, popular and just as reliable as Thunder Tiger, or O.S. Theres little differnce between Thunder Tiger and ASP or Magnum anyway except some folk have become brand *****s. This is for a trainer, K.I.S.S, K.I.C.S.
I've seen plenty people start out in the hobby with the attitude money is no problem but after they total their 2nd trainer they decide its too expensive.
So if Blacktails is going to buy a plane i will again advise a .60 (chinese engine) size high wing trainer with rubber bands wing attachment and tricycle gear. That is my recommendation (which is in my first post ....)
another point on more pricey engines; price is not a guarantee of quality nor reliability. I see people having trouble with O.S. , Thunder tiger, Super Tigre, MVVS, MDS, Enya, Irvine and YS all the time while I seldom see beginners with cheap modern chinese engines having issues. Why? I don't know but thats what I observe.
Expensive does not equal enjoyment.