I need an engine for a S.P.A.D. Flyer airplane, all corro and plastic, 4ch. 52in. wing.
Directions say .40 2 stroke minimum.
I will only get a 4 stroke.
Without doing any mods, how big of a 4s can I use?
Funds will make me buy a used engine. After reading tons of posts about Magnums, I will stay away from them. It would be just my luck to get one of the bad ones.
Now, please make reccommendations on engine make and size along with best place to start hunting.
Thanks a Bunch,
Sarge

50ish saito...

You can get a "bad" one of anything. There is nothing wrong with Magnum engines. I currently own and run 5 magnum 4 stroke engines, and they are all superb engines. Within my immediate family, we have no less than 15 magnum 4 strokes, and NONE, I mean NONE of them have caused us one minute's trouble. We also have over 10 saitos within the family. Three of them have been returned for service. I will probably not buy another saito. I simply love the magnums. You lose a bit of power over the OS and saito, but you always know they will perform for you!

Anyway, go whichever route you want, I would just hate for someone to stumble onto this post and get the wrong impression about a quality product.

Let the flaming begin....

BTW, to help you out, I agree with the saito .56, but also don't rule out the saito .72 or magnum .70

I'd go with the OS 52 or 70 Four stroke. Either would be great in that plane.

I think putting a Saito on a SPAD is like putting super-charger on a Yugo. Go and get a Magnum .70 or anything comparable, used. Magnums are good engines. I have 2 of them. my little magnum .46 2-stroke has 10 gallons through it and it runs perfectly. Still starts with one flip too.

Look in the classifieds on RCU for a used engine, try e-bay or ask around at your club. Don't go putting a $400 engine in a $10 plane. Just get something that runs well at low cost, (i.e Magnum).

Good Luck!!

I nosed a magnum 52 fourstroke into the parking lot. Couldn't believe how cheap I could get a Crank and Both Bearings(be safe) online for a magnum... Everyone was shocked to see me fix it for FAR less $ than a new one. Dont try that with a saito.

For a 4 stroke, a 52 - 60 size is ABOUT the same as a 40 - 46 2 stroke for power ans speed. I would suggest a 72 (or a little larger) ( A Saito 82 is the same size and LIGHTER than a 72) for your Spad. Yes, it will be "overpowered", but that is why there is a throttle on the transmitter.

As for brands, I have an OS 52, Saito 72 and Saito 82. All 3 run great and I haven't had a bit of trouble from any of them.

I know that Saito (#1) and OS (#2, but very close to #1) are "THE STANDARDS" for 4 strokes. There are very good reasons for that - dependability, performance and ease of use.

By aware that until a 4 stroke is broken in (which MAY take as much as a gallon of fuel ) they are fuel hogs. Once broken in though, they are misers. I can run my OS 46 FX about 10 - 12 minutes on a 10 oz tank. My Saito 72 runs 10 - 12 minutes on a 6 oz tank.

The majority of brands are very good. Please remember that ANY mechanical device can be bad. There have been Rolls Royces that have been lemons. If you are unsure of a brand, I suggest staying with the "standards" until you become more familiar with 4 strokes. As for where to shop, that is a matter of choice. I have read good things about Cheif Aircraft, Horizon and several other online stores. If price is a major concern, perhaps a Magnum or used engine may be the answer. Just be cautious when buying a used engine you have never seen or heard run. Personally, I will not pay over 60% of the new price for a used engine.

I agree with other posters here, I think Magnums are great engines and for the price, don't really have any competition, excepting O.S.'s new sport .70 4 stroke.

In my experiences the YS and OS are two of the finest and most reliable. But econo wise , If you are leary of magnums take a look at ASP. Great engine. reasonable price.

Aren't ASP and Magnums essentially the same?

Which design SPAD is it? If it's a scale ( corospit, SPADstang, Corsair) or 3D (Spa3D, Edge) I'd use an OS FS 70 (more RPM, bigger prop) If it's a Hell on Rails, or a sport, I'd use the Magnum (less RPM, steeper pitch prop)

... As far as a $400 engine on a $10 airplane, the $10 airplane can last as long as a $400 engine. I've planted many SPADs ... 20 minutes with a hot glue gun and a bottle of medium CA, and I'm back in the air...

Yup, they are from the same plant. Sometimes you'll see ASPs for sale on eBay for really good prices. The only downside is they often come with no English instructions. This could be a big problem if you don't happen to know someone who reads Chinese.

And allot of people (including me) have also thought that OS and Magnum's are essentially the same. Even some of the parts are interchangable. The main difference is the OS brand is lighter than the Magnums. I cannot speak for the ASP version