I am thinking of buying a four star and I was wondering what is the best engine to put in it. I want something that has plenty of power and reliable. Also won't drain my bank account.

AIRPLANEDAVE

The kit or the ARF? In my kit built 4 star I have a Supertiger GS-40 and its perfect, 50 dollar engine, fly it around at half throttle, great engine for the cash.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXKF97&P=0


http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXFMD5&P=0


http://www.towerhobbies.com/listings/cat-cat-g.html


If the first two are a little more than you wanted to spend, the 3rd link is for the whole list of the .40-.51 size engines at Tower.



http://www.kangkeusa.com/


These on the last link are good power for low money! Check them out too. I have a .56 from these guys & it screams.

Wow that OS O.S. .46 AX ABL w/Muffler seem perfect. Also looks very nice. Thanks for the help.

AIRPLANEDAVE

Its almost summer

Yea I don't think you can go wrong with the OS .46 AX, it's pretty much they're top of the line engine for that size range. If ya don't mind the price it's supposed to be a very good engine.

I like you words of wisdom elenasgrumpy.

Maybe we'll get to fly together at the Air Races.

My first 4* had a OS46AX and it did marvelous. Lost that plane due to disorientation while inverted. The 4* I have now has the OS 50SX on it and it absolutely screams across the sky. The 46 is more than enough and the 50 is mega wild. I bought the 50 as I thought it might give me more versatiltity in other planes. The 46 is around $115. and the 50 is around $150, so theres a fair amount of difference in cost. You'll find many opinions about engines on here but MOST will agree that OS is top quality, albeit at a premium price.

I got my 4 star 3rd hand with a fox 40 sport on it. It really flew good and had plenty of power,started and throttled great. Having a light engine really helped the flying characteristics. I sold it after flying it for years with the engine on it and the guy who bought it is still flying it 3 years later. That 4star and fox 40 must have flown around the world a couple times by now! It is around 12 years old. The fox 40 sport is made in a 30 size case and is virtually indestructable(needs castor in the fuel). It is also on sale at Sheldon's for 54.99$. The 4star was designed for 4 size four strokes.

http://www.sheldonshobbies.com/listing/airhd01.html

The AX is an excellent choice. My personal preference would be for that lovely TT 46 Pro -- but hey, that's my preference, not yours.

Essentially any 40 - 50 size engine will fly a 4* quite nicely -- even the relatively weak OS 40 LA.

If $ is an issue & you'd like to keep some of it, try a TT 42 GP, or an OS 46 LA -- both work really well on a 4* & both are pretty much dead even in performance.

I've got a OS46AX on the front of mine. I think it's a good match.... lots of power to get up over the trees at the far end of the runway. I can't do '3D' or "unlimited vertical" with it... but then again the airplane isn't designed for that anyway!

I'm flying my 4* with an os 46la, while the la is not the most powerfull engine it is light, reliable and cheap. Something I've experienced with this plane and engine combo is the difference the prop makes. With a 10x6 prop the plane is smooth and stable, like a trainer but more aerobatic. with an 11.25x3.75 prop you will loose some speed but gain vertical performance.

When I built my 4 *, I started with the .46LA and a Master Airscrew prop. I was not very happy with the performance, though it was still a good transition from my trainer, and since the engine was from my trainer, was cheap. On the advice of others, I tried a prop from APC. It made a marked improvement, but I still was not satisfied with the performance. I ended up getting the 50SX. Now, it really moves, and I am very happy with it's performance. If I had started out with the .46AX, I am sure I would have been satisfied too.

Scott

I would agree with the 50SX, nice little engine with plenty of power, although a FS 70 or a comparable Saito would be equally as good. I always try to look ahead and buy what will be a good fit for my 3rd and 4th plane. Don't worry about the money, the LHS is going to get it either way you go!

I have an O.S. .46 AX in mine and I flew it for the first time last week. WOW, what a powerhouse, it can easly go vertical and makes the plane really exciting to fly.

Hmmm interesting reading, I have four star kit ,dont know when I'll ever get around to building it but I do have either the .40LA which seems very powerful in my trainer or a Fox .45 I've never started but sent to the factory to have them test run and repair....Rog