Hello everybody, i'm an old hat to land based r/c, now just starting in this airplane thing... i'm 50% done constructing my sig LT-40 and i think its time to pic a motor and order it up.

I'd really love to use a 4-stroke in it, do yall think the saito .50 would be a good motor?

The LT 40 usually is powered by a cheaper .40 2 stroke,since it leads a hard life as a trainer.However a four stroke will fly it just as well but is a lot more expensive to replace or repair when the inevitable indiscretion is committed with terra firma,or other beginner faux pas (lean runs,dirt in the intake,electric starter used on an engine loaded with fuel,stripping the plug hole etc...).
The rule of thumb used to be that you needed 50% more displacement when replacing a two stroke with a four.....(IE a .90 to replace a .60)but I doubt this is necessary today with the progress in four stroke designs.four strokes are heavier than equivalent two strokes due to the extra mechanical bits so watch your CG position.A .50 should be fine but as I say check the CG carefully.

If I were you I would get the 56. You dont have to run it at full power but it will be there if you want it. Its only a few more dollars......I have a Saito 56 on my Knife and I love it....

welp, the local hobby store has the sait fa-56 for $186, so i guess that will be it. one of my major point in this is that the motor will transfer well into my next plane (i can think of any number of good second planes that this motor should match up to as well). on that point, how often does a wreck actully involve damage to the motor? my guess would not be very often. especially at trainer speeds.

Ive never hurt any of my engines in a crash. The prop usually get it but thats all........John

Beware my friend ......you are getting bad advise .A 56 is too much for an LT 40....Too much cost,too much weight,too much power...you are trying to learn to fly and you will make mistakes.4 strokes are prone to a lot more damage in crashes,due to the parts that stick out from the cylinder,and they are rather fragile....
However I get the feeling you have talked yourself into the larger 4 stroke so good luck......and I rest my case and opinion.

I agree with some of the above. The Saito 56 is a good motor, however, if you are learning go with a cheap 40 or 46 2 stroke.

The wing servo on my trainer plane stripped while doing a big loop way up there. It had an OS 91 surpass with the pump.
Broken cylinder head (from muffler)
Sucked in dirt so new sleave and ring
smashed the pump.
About $200 and 6 weeks for OS to fix.

I said I have never hurt any of my engines. I didnt say nobody else has. To each his own but if it were me I would still still get the 56. Kevin told you to get the 50 but not the 56 because four strokes are more prone to damage. The 50 is a four stroke too. Whats the difference? As far as the power thing goes.......Thats what the stick on the left is for. Most LT 40's that I have seen need a little bit of weight up front to balance so the 56 would probably be perfect. Im not trying to start an arguement here but thats how I see it and I dont feel like I'm giving anybody any bad advise.......John

I have an LT-40 with a Saito 56 in the nose. It fly's it beautifully. I am teaching my kids to fly with it now.

I agree that if someone asked me what kind of engine to put in an LT-40 for 1st plane use, I would not recommend a 4-stroke. I would probably recommend a Thunder Tiger 46Pro. Nevertheless, if someone really wants to start out with a 4-stroke, that's great. The Saito 56 is a great choice.

Remember, it's all about having fun.

I would suggest a TT PRO46 myself but if you really want a 4 stroke then get the larger 56. Sure you only need to fly at 1/2 throttle once its up there but you do have to push the plane up to flying speed and if the grass hasn't been cut in a while..... I had a 40FX on my LT40 and was lucky to get up to flying speed in the tall grass. The extra power also helps get out of nasty situations!

can i borrow ur thread.

i just joined this hobby lat week and boy am i excited.
i bought a Pilot Combo 25S and i was thinking of buying a .25engine 2stroke. it costs about S$100.00 is it a good choice.

and my 1st plane is a KIT i am building it myself. any tips on how it will react. or any ting i have to look out for.

OS .46 FX ok, I'll shut up now.

welp, thats what i bought just seems like a whole lotta motor for the money.

I had a LT-40 with a sato 56 that I started with . It is a very good combination and will last for years and will still be fun . Try it - you will like it.


RED HOT

One of the guys at my field has an LT40 ARF with a Magnum .52 four stroke on it. It's a great combination and a complete hoot to fly! He gets more requests for "Hey, can I fly your plane for a minute?" than anyone at the field.

If your training geta cheap 40-46 2 stroke! I ran my first lt-40 with a magnum .40. I learned on it, but when I went float flying, my reciever shorted out, and it ran straight into the bank. My magnum 40 ended up in 4 pieces!!! Moral of the story, engines do break!!!

On my next lt 40 I ran a saito 56. That is the perfect combo if your not gonna crash it, or if your rich!

I now have an lt 40 with a saito .72. It's a trainer AND it hovers. how fun!!! Had to reduce the atv's on the radio to teach my g/f to fly.

Istarted in this hobby about 18 months ago and I went throught the usual 2C engines then I bought a used Saito 80 and I fell in love.The sound and reliability are awesome. I fly an OS52 in my great planes Cub ARF and it's perfect. It's so realistic on slow fly-bys I sometimes forget I'm flying and just watch it go by. An OS52 in an LT-40 would be perfect. No more 2C for me.
Robert