Fed-X just dropped off my Pulse XT ARF today (thanks Jerry), and now I need an engine. I want to run a 4 stroke if I can (love that realistic sound), and because of the sales going on right now, I'm thinking of either the Magnum XL 52 RFS ($119) or the XL 70 RFS ($129). Being a newbie to both flying RC and to 4 stroke engines, I'm wondering which would be the better choice for this plane and for me (as a new flyer), and why. Or would I be better off going with what seems to be the popular choice, the OS46AX 2 stroke? Thanks.

OS FL-70 is a Excellent engine if you know how to tune it. some don't like it because they don't know how. If you have little experience you should go with a 2 stroke (way easier to operate).

Congrats blacktails

I love that plane Pulse XT, in my future list that plane is first choice in 40 size alongwith P51 Mustang ARF of Hangar 9, as my RTF was crashed[&o].

I think the engine comes with it is .45 2C Evolution PTS. Its a great engine, It gave enough power to my mustang and to my high wing trainer, I think you should stick with it, but as there is sale going on so you can go for magnum. I'm also just trying to get a 91 size 4 stroke, but naturally once I think, I would be perfect in tuning up my 2C, I would go for 4 stroke. 2stroke's tune up is easy as calachie mentioned and I agree. Magnum and ASP are made by same manufacturer, they are chinese made like Evolution but ASP I used .46 runs great and screams.

Good Luck

Modoy

A 70 size 4 stroke is what you want.

4 strokes are a little more difficult to tune than a 2 stroke (not that much though ). I strongly suggest breaking the engine in on a test stand and doing the tuning while the engine is on the stand.

One thing you WILL NEED to properly tune a 4 stroke is a tachometer. Once you have the engine "dialed in", he most you should ever need to do is a couple of clicks on the high speed needle to compensate for temperature/humidity. Maintenance (adjusting the valves ) is something you don't need to worry about for SEVERAL gallons of fuel.

You do need to be aware of is that a 4 stroke is USUALLY going to be swinging a larger prop than a 2 stroke, so make sure you have proper ground clearance for the prop.

As for the brand of engine......The reviews/reports on the Magnum engines are mixed. It seems to be about 50/50 as to whether they are good or bad. I guess it is like the Tower engines, if you get a good one it is fantastic, if not, you have a lot of grief.

Personally, I suggest spending the extra bucks and get a Saito or OS. I have 3 Saito 4 strokes and 1 OS. I really like the Saito engines. Easy to tune (99% run great right from the box ) with MINIMAL dialing in needed. My Saito 72 is about 3 years old and has almost 4 gallons through it. The only thing I have had to do is replace a burned out glow plug. If you do decide to go with the Saito, get the 82 instead of the 72. A lot more power in the same size cranckcase for about $15 more than the 72. FWIW - my 72 performs about the same as a hot 50 2 stroke or a doggy 61 2 stroke.

I think a .70 would be the right size of 4-stroke for the Pulse XT, brand is usually just a matter of personal preference. I own Saito, Magnum, and Thunder Tiger 4-strokes and I'm happy with all three brands.

The sale on Magnum engines ends April 1st, however. Don't wait too long before deciding.

The 72 is a good engine for this plane, but you missed an important step of being a newbie. A trainer. It is usually not a good thing for a newbie to skip learning on a trainer first. Even with an instructor you could be setting yourself up for a bag full of little parts that use to look like your Pulse.
If you can , hook up with a club and an instructor, fly their trainer if they have one, get some stick time under your belt. Have him preflight your Pulse for you.
Your putting together a really nice plane, but if you never flown before, odds are your first flight is going to be short and costly
If you go with a Saito, go for the 82 same size as the 72. but less weight more power. like Campy said, bigger bang for the buck. The Magnum and the OS 72. will work fine. The Magnum is the heaviest of the three but also the cheapest. Which ever you choose, you`ll still wind up with a nice plane. Good luck.

I also agree that a 70ish 4-stroke is what you want. Pick the brand you like (or price)

And I don't know WHY people say they are any more difficult to tune than a 2-stroke. If anything I find them easier to tune - and I don't need a tach to do it either.

The only two things you need to remember with a 4-stroke is

1 Use an OS "F" glow plug - they are more expensive that a 2-stroke plug, but a 4-stroke won't run properly without one

2 Use 15% fuel - I like Cool Power, but I have used others as well with good results

Thanks for the responses so far. Sounds like a Magnum 70 or a Saito 82, depending on how much I want to spend. I will definitely be getting together with someone at the local r/c club (Marymoor RC Club) who can train me and maiden my plane once it is completed. I'd rather learn the right way than rush things and likely wind up with balsa scrap.

Keep in mind that starting with a low-wing tail dragger is something that most of us say is rushing things.

I have a OS FL-70 and it is Great, It will spin a 13X6 K Series @ 10290 to 10300 & Idle 1900 to 2000 all day long. With Towers discount it runs around 150.00. I have it in Hanger 9s piper cub & use 10% nitro.

Okay, thanks everyone. After considering all of the responses here, and reading some other posts, I think I'm going to do the really smart thing and pick up a trainer like the Tower Hobbies MkII 40 and use that to learn on while keeping my Pulse XT on hold until I get the basics down. I already have an old K&B .40 and an old Futaba Conquest 4 channel (FM FP-4NBF) that I was given to use. Both are about 10 years old but are in absolute mint condition. The engine has less than 4 hours on it, and the radio has never been used at all. The radio specs say it is a FM 72MHz system, servo reversing switch for each channel, the buddy trainer system, and has 3 low-profile servos (FP-S148). My only real concern is that this radio might be too old to be usable by a beginner, and also if it would be compatible or not with today's modern radios so that a buddy cord could be used to help train me. Even though it has the buddy cord trainer system on it, if it somehow won't buddy-up with modern radios, I guess I'll end up having to buy a new radio. So, will this Futaba do the trick, or do I now need to shop for a radio?

That radio will do fine. I still have a few of those that are still in use. Futaba came out with a new square buddy box plug, but many people still have the round one - AND there is a special buddy box cord that will go from square to round, so you've still got lots of options.

Thanks, MinnFlyer. That's what I wanted to hear. I'll use this older Futaba until I have enough skills to fly the Pulse XT, and then upgrade the radio at that time.

Have someone help you to check the batteries that come with the older radio. There's a good chance that you'll need new ones.

Funny, I've been thinking a little about that and was a slightly concerned. Thanks for the heads-up. I'll check them out for function and also check as to what it might cost for new ones. If needed, hope it's not too much.

I just crammed a saito 82 in mine and it FLyS.. literally. I inverted the engine to keep the streamline look to the fuselage. But you can put it in either way. Just have to move the motor mounts.