I just purchased the Hobbico NexStar ARF kit and put it together. I am at the point of needed to choose an engine for this plane. I know the Nexstar Select RTF comes with an OS 46 FXi, but they are hard to find.

What other engines can I use that will allow me to use the stock engine mount that comes with the ARF kit? I own a OS 46 LA and it doesn't fit at all.

I have a Thunder Tiger .46 Pro in mine and love it. Good power, easy reliable idle and starts up every time.

Good luck,,

Why didn't the OS la fit. My choice would either be a Os 46 AX or an Evolution 46.

A Magnum XLS .46A should work just fine, and it's certainly priced right. They're on sale right now for $59.99 at most hobby dealers.

The Thunder Tiger Pro .46 is also an excellent suggestion, as is the O.S. .46 AX.

the OS 46AX is the improved version of the FX seems to run a bit better, and is well worth the extra $$ it costs and will last for many other planes you may get later.

My Nexstar is powered by a Super Tiger .45.

The Super Tiger GS-45 is a sweet engine, mal75. Were you able to use the stock Nexstar engine mount with it? The TT Pro .46 and the Magnum .46 are so closely modelled after the O.S. Max .46 FX that they can all swap mufflers and whatnot. Since the Super Tigre isn't a direct copy of the .46 FX, I didn't know if it would fit in the stock engine mount or not.

I replaced a GMS .47 with a .46 FXi on my Tiger 2 last year, and I believe those were an exact match as far as mounting lugs. If the GMS .47 matches, then the Tower Hobbies .46 should fit fine as well.

That's still weird that xclam says a .46 LA wouldn't fit...

I have a Nexstar that came with the .46 FXi. The plane now has a 46 FX. Exact fit. I did try to mount my OS 50 SX in it once and it would not fit. The 50 SX I believe has the same case as the 46 AX and LA. Suddle difference but enough to goof the Nexstar motor choices up without modifying the mount. Oh and before someone asks, no there is no noticeable diference in performance between the 46 FX and FXi engines.

I was able to use the stock mount but not with the rubber mounts in place.

The OS 46 LA cannot fit the standard NexStar engine mount for several reasons:

1) the engine is too narrow and there is too much play between the engine mount struts
2) the muffler does not fit in the fuselage cutout for the muffler since the engine mount favors the left side of the fuselage
3) the propeller hits the tip of the fuselage since the engine is slightly shorter that the "made to fit OS 46 FXi".

I simply want to use an engine that can fit the standard Nexstar ARF configuration since all the blind nuts, control arm holes, etc are pre-designed perfectly on the plane. I would hate to force the OS 46 LA to fit by making cuts in the fuselage, purchasing muffler extenders, etc.

Xclam is right about why the O.S.46LA will not fit. Their is just a tade if differances between the two engines. Now I think you could just change the engine mount to an adjustable style mount and you would be fine and all the bolt holes would match up for you. If you do not want to do that than I would put the OS46AX in it myself if it will fit without any mods.

Of course Stang stated above that the OS46AX is the same case as the OS46LA so that would not work for you if that is right, I have no idea myself.

I also have a problem with my engine. When I go full throttle and then back to mid, the engine will die. I tried to set my needle and replacede my glow plug still not resolved. Any ideas out there? should I cahnge engine? To give a background about my engine, I crashed my airplane a few months ago and the engine was submerged in sea water for a few hours before I recovered the plane. maybe the piston is corroded? what engine do you guys have prefer for a cheap price and of course would fit with no mods? any help would be greatly appreciated...thanks.

There are many posts on tuning your engine but if you can find an experienced modeler to show you one time I think you would be a lot better off.
On the sizes of the LA and FX/AX you've been getting some wrong info. The FX and AX as well as the FXI and Thunder Tiger will interchange as far as engine mounts go. The LA is an entirely different case [bushings not ballbearings]. The 50SX will fit with a little work on the top edge of the mount but it is discontinued. The 55AX is an even bigger case with a belt around the lower outside of the case.
Fred