I looking for a little help on deciding what engine to go with for my my next plane. Any comments or suggestions would be helpful.
I currently run a O.S. 46FX that is great but I'm looking to spend a little less on a engine. Does anyone have any experience with MDS or MAGNUM or any others in the size of .40 to .48 and with ball bearings.

HOPE TO HEAR FROM SOME OF YOU!!!!!!



THANKS-------"TWOSTROKE"

Magnum makes some nice engines, and I've been satisfied with their performance.

Not sure about the other manuf. you mentioned. I have no experience with them.

You cant go wrong with a Thunder Tiger 46 Pro. great engine.......not a bad price either. Tower has them for 74.99..... National hobby supply has them for 69.99.......but Tower will match their price......JT

I own all three brands,my choice is Thunder Tiger,Magnum,MDS in that order

If you research these "cheaper" engines, you will find those who love them and horror stories from those who got "duds". With these engines, "you put's down your money and takes your chances", now you are forwarned. Really, I haven't seen too many engines that couldn't be made to run. It may just be a tuning problem, but a lot of these are carburation problems. It seems that a lot of these manufacturers do not have the same quality standards that OS, and other "name brands" do, you can get away with this on engines to a point, but not carbs. I have purchased some of these engines in the past also, and had some good ones and some "duds". Most can be cured with a good carburetor, such as an OS or Perry. For my money these days, I'd rather spend 20-30 percent extra and know what I'm getting. Good luck with whatever decision you make. Flame suit on.

no need for a flame suit Dave, I have actually had the best luck with TT engines but i know some who have not . I had a few bad exp. with O.S. engines so i dont buy em anymore, its all pref.
The TT .40 and 46 are great little engines though, I have run my 40 to death for 3 years and it still hauls butt. my 46 runs good too.
IF I purchase anymore 2-strokes they will be thunder tiger. four strokes i buy saito.
My.02
John

Go the extra mile spend more and get more, just stay with OS if I were you.
Seth

I agree with John B. It's all a matter of personal preference. I bought an OS 46 LA *trying to save money* and ended up having to replace it because the engine simply cannot pull as hard as the OS 46 FX (or comparable). I currently run two Tower Hobbies .46 ABC BB and I love them. I have read that thee engines are difficult to tune (my first one was because I bought it used without manuals) but I got it broken-in and tuned quite nicely.

Good luck to you !

OS engines are overpriced for what you get. Their reputation was earned years ago, and they're cashing in on it now. In 20 years, nobody'll be talking about what great engines OS made in 2002. For the same money you can get a better engine.

Or, for less money you can get an engine that's just as good, if not better. Thunder Tiger .46 Pro.

I have both a MDS .58 and a Magnum .36. They both run great and I have not one complaint about the Mag but the MDS won't die. Even with my finger over the carb, it takes 5+ seconds to die. I can't complain on how it runs though. It starts every time on the first back flip with a slightly wet prime. I would recommend the Magnum over the MDS any day since it is much more user friendly (not that the MDS runs bad). I just don't feel O.S. is worth the extra money over the Magnum, TT and others.

Sounds like gubbs' MDS has an air leak near the carb.

I have a magnum .46 (the newer version) and it runs like a champ, Lots of power. But ill tell you, since I bought a o.s. 4 stroke, for me, there is no looking back.

Some fellas I know, who had raved about TT pro 46s (I luv mine too btw), are now praising the GMS 47s they've recently acquired. Another one to check out......

After helping lots of newbies getting their engines set up I found that the Thunder Tiger engines are as easy to start and adjust as the OS engines. The only thing I don't like is the needle valve is closer to the spining prop. I would stay clear of the Super Tigers. They are very finicky and also hvae other problems. I own mostly OS FX engines and recently bought a Tiger Shark 75 from World Models. Its also an impressive engine.

In answer to your question, I would vote for the TT .46 Pro. I have OS and TT and actually like the TT better.

I also vote for the THUNDER TIGER engines, By now evryone knows that when the head designer left OS engines and went to T.T he took "HIS" designs. Now the T.T. engines are nothing more or less then OS. (but less expensive!)

I have quite a few MAGNUM engines also ( A friend was the store MGR. of a HOBBY PEOPLE) and I got them at his cost. I found that some of the carbs were/are junk. But HOBBY PEOPLE will very gladly do an exchange. It's one thing about HOBBY PEOPLE they are highly COSTUMER SERVICE oriented.. So much so it used to tick my friend off.

I believe as stated above that OS is pricing thenselves out of the market. I don't know about you guys but every penny I can save will be used for the hobby/sport in another way, FUEL,PROPS,COVERING,ETC.. and that's what it's about.

But I've gotten off thread,, I would advise a NEWBY to buy a THUNDER TIGER,MAGNUM or if you're stuck on an OS buy the FP or LA series.. I have a couple of both and they're easy to tune, have very reasonable power for their represented usage, and mine have been very long lived. But then again what you pay for their CHEAP series you can buy a "PRO" THUNDER TIGER.

DESERT MOUSE flies a OS 46 LA. I've had it since the LA series came out.

DESERT RATT

RON

I also vote for the Thunder Tiger Pro .46 (or Pro .40 for that matter) Mile L makes an excellent point.....you're paying for OS's reputation, not a better quality engine. The only difference I've seen with the TT compared to the OS FX series is that the TT's take longer to break in....but once they're broken in, they keep running stronger, and stronger, and stronger...

Mike

I agree with MikeL. OS engines are not what they used to be, instead of chrome in the bores of their engines they use nickle, it's cheaper and also breaks in quicker with a penalty of shorter life span. TT uses true chrome plating, takes a bit longer to break in but when they do "watch out"! They really scream. So thats what I would go with. Just my .02 worth.
Tom.

I never owned a magnum, so I can't comment on that. I do own 2 OS's. 40FP great little engine. 32SX Awesome little engine. I have never touched the low end on them. And they run flawlessly.

I own a TT46. I enjoy it as well. I did have to adjust the lowend from the factory. I had to lean it out about 2 turns. I paid 74.99 for it thru tower. I tried www.nationalhobbysuppyinc.com but they were out. I didn't want to wait so I order it from tower. I have ran about 1gallon thru it and it runs great.

I have 2 theorys I live by in this hobby.
I want good equipment. I started in this hobby 3 1/2 years ago as a full time college student working part time. Paying my own way thru college, no support from parents or government. I got tired of working on and adjusting low ends on motors. I spend more time adjusting low ends than flying. So I vowed to myself to buy good stuff. So i could devote more time to my hobby. It felt like work, adjust the motors all the time.

I won't get overcharged for good equipment. I am not knocking OS. Because of the 2 that I have I absolutely love them. My favorite motor I own is a YS 63. 2. OS 32SX 3. OS 40fp 4. TT46

But overall in my opinion. If your looking for another 46 size motor. I would buy the TT46. Its priced right. Good quaility. I don't think an OS 46 is worth the money when you can buy a TT46 for 69-75 bucks.

I have MDS 48. I hated it. Traded it for ST45. I like my 45. But its carb is more difficult to set than a TT46.