Hello. I've owned a few RC cars for a while now and I just bought my first plane. It is a [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0001P?&I=LXEKF346]Hobbico Superstar[/link] and comes with an O.S. .40LA engine. The muffler on this thing is much different from what I'm used to (i.e.: HPI Savage, Duratrax Evader). It seems like it's going to rob me of power. Are there any aftermarket mufflers that would be a better choice? I've looked around on TH and I found this [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXNB20&P=7]Slimline Pitts Muffler[/link]. It's still much different from a RC car's tuned pipe, but appears less restrictive than the stock .40LA muffler.

Hey Amster Welcome:-( You know your plane choice is good for
a trainer which will assist you in learning to fly.. The LA series of
engines are known for there low cost and really not for there power..
IMO I would not waste your money on different mufflers etc. for this
engine. Just use as is and enjoy your learning to fly.. Then as your
learning curve gets better move on to better planes/engines...

Two things you can do to improve the stock muffler: 1) Remove the internal baffle from the muffler, and 2) open the exhaust exit with a 1/4 inch drill bit. A pitts muffler will also give you less restriction, and I have used one to good advantage on a plane that needed the pitts style, but I am currently using the modified stock muffler on another plane with good results.

Not starting anything with jim:-) But just a heads up... I removed my
muffler baffle on my LA 46 and it did increase the power somewhat
but I did end up with a few dead sticks due to no fuel pressure at the
tank due to the removal of the baffle and if not you could cause
more problems due to lean running of the engine during certain
maneuvers.. So baffle went back in after increasing the hole some
what... I also drilled/cleaned out the the tail pipe exit along with
adding a few more drilled holes around the tail pipe base.. But
really with this engine the power improvement was pretty much non-
exsistent..

The LA doesn't need the baffle for back pressure, there is enough, even without a backplate & a drilled stinger. In reality, the engine doesn't need back pressure at all to run well -- there is a sufficiently low pressure in the carb throat to draw the fuel without muffler pressure (unless there is an in-line filter in the fuel line). C/L engines & models, for example, don't usually use pressurized fuel tanks.

If you are just learning to fly then you don't need to worry about being robbed of power. The engine on that plane is fine just the way it comes. I can't think of any manuever that the Superstar is capable of that that particular engine/muffler combo won't power it through just fine. If you're anything like me when I learned to fly, you will be wanting to slow that plane down at first.
Later on when you become comfortable flying you might want to look into putting a ball bearing .46 on that plane or your "second" plane. You will be fine for now though.
Michael

Leave thing alone with the .40, you will not gain appreciable power and run the chance of making problems for yourself by drilling and modifying things. The engine is very reliable, and not very powerfull compared to others but it does a great job of flying that plane and making it easy for you to learn. Make sure you have the best prop for the engine, probably a 10x5 or so and go enjoy the learning process. Next plane, when you are a competent flier, go for the bigger engine. Don't dink with something playing master machinist to gain 100 rpms and shoot yourself in the foot with reliablity issues. It ain't worth it.

britbrat, I'm not so sure about that.... I know when I removed the
baffle on my LA 46/Avistar it seemed to run fine, but while hovering
and some other aerobatics my engine died more than once, more so
when the tank was about half full.. Put the baffle back in and no more
problems to date... And I have no filter.. Anyway just my experience
It's true C/L for the most case is non pressured.. But the fuel pickup
is to the back outside of the tank, I guess always going in a circle helps
push the fuel also:-)