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Old 02-28-2008 | 11:42 AM
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Default What about Evolution engines

Hanger 9 has a P-51 Mustang with a Evolution EVOE100 engine.
Is Evolution a new brand? Is it a brand? How reliable is it?
Laurence
Old 02-28-2008 | 11:44 AM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines

Evolution is an engine manufacturer, and they make reasonable engines at reasonable prices. Chinese made, I believe.

Kinda funky looking slanted cooling fins give them a somewhat futuristic look.

Can be a little twitchy to tune, the low speed needle is critical, but good power and reasonable weight.

J
Old 02-28-2008 | 11:56 AM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines

I have one, a 46, and it runs fine for me. However I like all my O.S. engines much better.
Old 02-28-2008 | 12:06 PM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines

I've used several different sized Evolution engines...

Synopsis:

PTS .455 engine = GREAT once you remove the limiters so you can tune it properly and also JB weld the muffler.
.46NT = No problem once you remove the $)%(^ limiters.
1.00NX = Worst engine I've ever owned. Dead sticks, deadsticks, deadsticks...

Old 02-28-2008 | 12:54 PM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines


ORIGINAL: opjose

I've used several different sized Evolution engines...

Synopsis:

1.00NX = Worst engine I've ever owned. Dead sticks, deadsticks, deadsticks...

That is bad luck for you, but once the engine is tuned right it should be OK they are a pain to tune though. I have had good luck with my EVO engines including the 1.00NX mounted inverted.

Laurence if you plan on buying the P-51 I would go with the Saito 150 or 180 though it will sound great with that four stroke and have more than enough power.
Old 02-28-2008 | 01:10 PM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines

ORIGINAL: haasjj


That is bad luck for you, but once the engine is tuned right it should be OK they are a pain to tune though.
I have had good luck with my EVO engines including the 1.00NX mounted inverted.
Yup SHOULD is the operative word.

I've tried completely new fuel systems, header tanks, new mufflers, brand new Evolution Carb, different plugs ( long is recommended for this engine ), new head and liner.

I was determined to make it work properly, and I've effectively rebuilt the engine all over again using newer parts.

I just installed the new head and liner so I'm going to give it yet another shot once the weather warms up...

However this has been the single most problematic engine I've ever had, and many echo the same problems with it.

IMHO it's not worth the grief.

I've done better with cheaper engines.


----

The PTS and the .46 engines have been wonderful after removing the limiters.


Old 02-28-2008 | 04:06 PM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines

My first engine was an Evo engine. I never had any trouble. These are good for beginners because the don't need much breaking in. The trainer system is awesome because it has a fly wheel and a three bladed prop.

The three bladed prop slows the airplane down and give more thrust for taking. It also helps slow the airplane down when landing. Three bladed props in general are very inefficient which is usually bad. But it is good for a beginner.

When you become comfortably flying the airplane with the three bladed prop and fly wheel, you can remove them both and its like you have a brand new more powerful engine!


I personally think its a pretty sweet set up for someone starting out. It was for me at least. I guess if mine gave me a bunch of problems I would be singing a different tune. From personal experience I was happy with mine.
Old 02-28-2008 | 04:39 PM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines

Check out the ratings here on RCU . [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/product_guide/EngineProfile.cfm?engine_id=843]1.00 engine Evolution[/link] . It`s not rated very good .

My last Evolution engine, ended up with a 150 grain hollow point thru it . May it rest in peace lol.

Old 02-28-2008 | 06:16 PM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines


ORIGINAL: Insanemoondoggie


My last Evolution engine, ended up with a 150 grain hollow point thru it . May it rest in peace lol.

You wouldn't happen to have pictures of this would you?
Old 02-28-2008 | 08:19 PM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines

I have an Evolution .46 in my Pulse XT PNP, have yet to run it, but it looks nice, and I look foward to running it this weekend. I am going to run a tank of fuel through it for a little extra break in time, just to make sure everything works as it should.
Old 02-28-2008 | 08:45 PM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines

I have never owned or operated an Evolution 2-stroke glow engine. Based on all of the engine posts I've read here on RC Universe, however, I believe there are better engines available for the same price as Evolution in most every size category. I also believe that there are cheaper engines in just about every size category that run the same or better than Evolution.

That having been said, most of the smaller sport engines, .36 NT to .61 NT, seem to be pretty decent runners if tuned properly and run with a very hot glow plug. I'd avoid the 1.00 NX like butt-cancer based on what RCU posters have written about it.

If Hangar 9 made a PnP or RTF airplane that I wanted that came with an Evolution glow engine on it, I'd buy one and try it out. If I came across a good deal on an Evolution 2-stroke that somebody was selling for significantly less than retail, I might try one out. If I were going to buy a new engine from a hobby retailer for a project, however, Evolution would be the last brand I'd look at. I don't have any reason to dislike them, it just seems there are better values out there.

To Horizon Hobby's credit, one big plus that Evolution offers that I rarely see discussed is how inexpensively spare parts are offered. Repair and replacement items for Evolution engines seem to be less expensive than any of the other major brands.
Old 02-28-2008 | 08:53 PM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines

I had an EVO 100 and put it on my Excelleron 90. I had it on that plane for several months. In all that time, I NEVER got to burn a full tank of fuel through that thing. Dead stick on EVERY flight, if I even got it airborne.

I worked with some of the best in the Pattern field and they could not get it to run right. Their solution... put an OS carb on board.. for a whopping 90 bucks!! I decided that this economy engine was no longer economy if I had to add an OS carb to make it run right. Nope.

Off it came and on went an OS 1.20 AX. Never turned back. Best decision I ever made.

CGr.
Old 02-28-2008 | 11:00 PM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines

I have a 46NT on my Pulse and so far it`s been fine. I tend to run my engines on the rich side, so I`m not turning the higher RPMs. At least with the one I have, I`ve been very impressed with the low end performance. Very nice idles and no dead sticks so far ( knock on wood ).Recommend a hotter plug ( OS A3 ).
Old 02-29-2008 | 08:42 AM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines

I have a Evolution .61NT that I got at a flea market a couple of years ago for $40 and it still runs great even though I've planted it HARD twice! I also have a Evo .40 PTS engine that ran fine when I first got it, then the piston swelled or something and it would lock up at TDC. I took it apart and honed out the cylinder a tad and now so far, it seems to run good again. Definatley remove the limiters, and it does take a bit of tweaking to get the low end tuned right for a good idle to WOT transition. Parts are cheap though and easy to get from Horizon Hobby. Oh yeah, they're a lot better than the CRAP MDS engines that Hanger 9 used in their earlier models[:'(]
Old 02-29-2008 | 10:57 AM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines

The EVO 100 soured me to Evolutions. I had a 40 and a 61. The 40 worked fine for a while but it started acting up and was doing the same thing as the 100. The 61 is still new in the box and at the local hobby shop as a consignment. If you want it, any of them for that matter, send me a PM and we can discuss a 'fair' price.

CGr.
Old 02-29-2008 | 02:41 PM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines

I've either owned or been around all of the Evolution glow engines except for the .36. They are all great running engines and all run poorly on the OS 8 plug. They need hotter plugs like the A3. The 8 is too cold and robs the engine of power, plus the crankcases seem to load up too much with it.
Old 02-29-2008 | 04:43 PM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines

I never tried the A3. I did try the 8 and the F plugs and neither of them did me any good on any of the engines.

Maybe I can give them a second chance on something that I build for the express purpose of checking out these engines. I have them on consignment at the LHS just to get rid of them but no one has even looked at them.. they are not that popular in our area.

If it's that simple a fix then I will be truly surprised.

CGr.
Old 02-29-2008 | 04:50 PM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines


ORIGINAL: CGRetired


If it's that simple a fix then I will be truly surprised.

CGr.
Naw, been there tried that.

It doesn't fix the trouble with the NX 1.00, though the 1.00 does like a longer plug.

I've had no problems with the other Evolution engines, other than what is already known about the limiters, this particular engine is just too problematic.

Old 02-29-2008 | 04:53 PM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines

Well, Opjose.. I just don't know what to do with them. I don't like them, they are on consignment and have been for several months without any action whatsoever, and I won't use them because I don't trust them. I don't want to just throw them away and don't want to give them to some unsuspecting soul.. sort of stuck with them. So, I guess trying them on a cheap perhaps a coroplast build that I just don't give a damn about may just be the kicker.

CGr
Old 02-29-2008 | 05:43 PM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines

Try a diesel conversion? No plug worries anyway.
Old 02-29-2008 | 06:03 PM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines


ORIGINAL: CGRetired

Well, Opjose.. I just don't know what to do with them. I don't like them, they are on consignment and have been for several months without any action whatsoever, and I won't use them because I don't trust them. I don't want to just throw them away and don't want to give them to some unsuspecting soul.. sort of stuck with them. So, I guess trying them on a cheap perhaps a coroplast build that I just don't give a damn about may just be the kicker.

CGr
I felt the same way , did`nt want someone to lose plane due to a engine I gave them . Send them to me and I give them a 150 grain hollow point injection for you, and this time I`ll take pics .
Old 02-29-2008 | 08:30 PM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines

I'll take them, if their free.
Old 02-29-2008 | 09:19 PM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines

Moondoggie... let me tell ya.. I had a 200 grain hard cast semi-wad cutter in my good old Colt Gold Cup that I was tempted to use on it.

Bruce... disel, eh? Perhaps I could run them over with a disel truck?

CGr
Old 02-29-2008 | 09:35 PM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines

Sweet , make sure you tke pics , lol
Old 02-29-2008 | 09:53 PM
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Default RE: What about Evolution engines

Of what.. the 200 grain hard cast semi wad cutter or the disel truck?


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