Can you put a 4-stroke in a nexstar. I ask because I love the sound of a 4-stroke. Also how large an engine could you put in a nexstar. Would the nexstar perform better with a 4-stroke and larger engine.

Thanks

The short answer is yes, you can put a 4 stroke in that plane with minor modifications. A DECENT (Saito, OS ) 56 - 70 size 4 stroke will give equivelant or better performance than the 46 2 stroke.

The BIG QUESTION is WHY ????

Yes, 4 strokes sound nice, but they cost about twice what a 2 stroke does. In addition, to set them up PROPERLY, you will need a tach. 4 strokes also require periodic maintenance. Depending on the brand of engine and the percentage of nitro in the fuel and the prop, you will need to figure ABOUT 15% - 25% more cubes will be needed to equal the performance of a 2 stroke.

Perodic maintenance... set the valves once a season. The throttle linkage on a 4 stroke can be a little tricky, but not impossible. For equivalent performance, a 4 stroke will also be a little heavier than a 2 stroke, so you might have to move the battery pack around. But they sure do sound good in the air! And fuel economy is much better than a 2 stroke. I have 2 Saito 4 strokes, both mounted inverted, that start right off the bat, run great, idle strong (even though they're not completly broken in yet). I guess you could call me a convert....

One guy at our field had a 4 stroke in an Avistar... worked great, sounded great.

Andy

Thanks for the replies. In you honest opinions do you think this would be a bad or pointless upgrade to a trainer?

Thanks

Not pointless, a little impractical yes. I would suggest a 4 stroker in a semisymetrical trainer would be the bees knees. You can do it in your current trainer also. I would suggest a Saito. I have a bunch. And they work excellent. A 52 or a 72 would be fine. The 72 would be a better look to the future. It would also be almost overpowered. Good luck with your project.

Mark Shuman

I certainly wish I'd started with four strokes. Once I bought one and ran it, I've never wanted to buy another two stroke, so I say go for it.
Dennis-

And the BIG ANSWER is BECAUSE 4-STROKES RULE!!!!!

I say GO 4 IT!

The Nexstar would be great with a 4-stroke!

I agree, with all on this:-).. But the 46 is plenty of power for the
nexstar???.. 4s Do sound Great!! And grunt's and stretches it's
fuel load :-) .. I could see getting a 4s and using on the Nexstar..
But that engine would be sized for my next plane..:-)

-Almost- Overpowered with a .72? A nextstar would be overwhelmed by a .56! I fly a .56 in a Rascal 40, and it's most definetly overpowered!


Andy

One thing to watch for if you put a .72 four-banger in there, you might have to lengthen the gear to get more prop clearance.

a65l, You could run the 72. With judicious use of the left stick. Any more engine would be too big,heavy and too much power. If he wants some bigger planes or a more airobatic plane the 72 would be a better choice. I just meant that 72 was the max you could get away with. I did not intend to misslead.

Mark Shuman