I know this is a much discussed topic on these forums; I have read through countless posts concerning this subject. Here is my dilemma: I live at a high altitude (approx 5280 feet). Am flying a Funtana 40 size with a Saito .72, running cool power 30% nitro.
I would just like to know from people with experience at this altitude what engine would be good for this altitude to give unlimited verticle without ovepowering the plane TOO much. My current combo flies OK on an APC 14x4w, but the engine bogs seriously on verticle climbs. A master airscrew 13x6 (not wide blade) flies a little slower but yields MUCH better verticle climbs. I am guessing the top recommendation will be a Saito 100. I just want to buy the right engine the second time. Thought I bought the right engine the first time, but am sadly disappointed with my current engine. Any recommendations appreciated. I am even considering going back to a 2 cycle .60-.90 size if necessary.

Satio 100. That's the way to do it right. Unless your insane, then YS 110.

The YS 63 is a sweet combo, however if your gonna buy a new motor anyway, do the 100.

Buddy just went from OS 90 stroker to the 100 and dude, that the ticket.

Don't go big 2 stroke. Maybe the new OS 50 Heli with a Jett pipe.

I ran mine with a Saito .91 and thought that it was too much engine. If I had it to do all over again, I'd go with a Saito .72.

I fly at 5200' as well and run a Saito 100 and its just awesome! I couldn't see putting anything else in it at this altitude. Unlimited vert and pulls out of hover with much authority. Saito 100 gets my vote..
Running 20/20 and propped with a 15x4W.
Also, I would keep it powered with a 4 stroke. My .02
Good luck!

Thanks all....
3de, do you have any recommendations on mounting the 100? Have read other posts outlining the fitting difficulties, but would love to hear your experience with mounting the 100. The best price I have found for this engine is $259.00 at my LHS, seems to have all the online sites beat. Anybody know of a better price? Might have to pick this up for the Funtana. Thinking of the Goldberg Ex-treme 330 profile as a new home for the Saito 72. Then I'll have a backup for when I yard sale the Funtana!

insanetk,
Mounting the 100 was easy. I popped out one of the blind nuts and filled the hole with dowel, moved the new blind nut hole up just a tad from its original location. I used the original mount and have had no problems. You could pop out both blind nuts and move them both up a little, but in my case I didn't need to. I popped out the upper right one if your facing the firewall. I also had to do some dremel tool work around the carb/throttle arm area on the firewall so I could mount the 100 as far back as possible. I really didn't take much time.
There was a thread on how to do this here at RCU, but its like a year old and cant find it.
Any more Questions feel free to ask!
You will be a happy camper with the Saito 100 up front..

3DE,

Thanks for your help... just curious, found this picture in the RCU review. Is this the way you did it?
Does the 100, being 8 mm wider at the crankcase, really fit in relatively well between the stock mounts? That is good to know.
The following pictures are from RCU's review of the Funtana, check it out at:
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=235]Funtana Review RCU Magazine[/link]

Thanks RCU!

I recently had a .82 Saito on my Funtana 40, until an elevator servo ended my Fun. Of course I'm near sea level, but it had plenty of vertical with a 13x8 or 14X6 apc. Anyway, it should be a drop in replacement for the .72, and a claimed 20% increase in power(almost equal to a 91 Saito) with no weight gain.

Yes, thats how I did it. It took a little bit of modification but it was wort it.. Any more Q's feel free to ask.