I just got a echo weed eater at a garage sale and I’m wondering how big of an airplane can I fly with this engine.

Give the size in CC's and we'll know what ya got to work with. heres a look at a 24cc echo type of engine ready to fly...

Well I’ve been trying to figure out the size without much success. The weedeater is a GT 2000. I’ve been to Echo’s web site and couldn’t find anything there and then I found the thread “Don’t forget Echo” and I have made my way about half way through it but still haven’t found anything that helps with identifying this engine though that thread sure looks to have a lot of good information on it and I never dreamed all of the modifications were possible on these engines.

This is starting to look like a lot of fun.


BTW ignore any pics that seem out of place. I’m new and still trying to get the setup of the page.

Well that was weird. I was getting that all of my posts were deleted and I thought maybe someone was mad at me for something. Then I discovered that I still had a picture upload dialogue box open and after I closed it all of my posts showed up.


Sorry about that.

well,I tell ya what.....I would bet you've got any where from a 21cc to a 26cc most likly closer to 21cc. Take a look at the piston through the exhaust port and see if it has two rings. The higher quality one's do. Then start with a Zinger 16x8 and tach it. Keep the engine somewhere in the mid 7000 rpm range, going larger in prop pitch like to a 16x10 if needed. strap it to the blunt end of a plane and see what it does. 1/4 scale lightplane like a Super Cub from hanger 9 could be flown with very good performance on your engine most likely. Isnt experimenting fun?...lol....I bet you got a flyable engine, sometime the hard part is mounting it to a plane. Put up some pics and maybe someone has your engine that can help. Piper

You didn't look hard enough. GT-2000 is an older model that's no longer in production. You can download the operator's manual here:

http://www.echo-usa.com/oot/docs/GT202400ES_021901.pdf

The engine is an older version of the currently 21.2cc. i have an Echo blower with this same engine. It isn't as strong as the slightly larger bretherens like the 23.6cc and 25.4cc, but it weighs pretty much the same. This means the power to weigh ratio is not exactly spectacular. Still, any Echo is a far better engine, and will come out lighter, than the likes of Weedeaters and Homelites. If you keep the magneto ignition, you'd be looking at floaters like 1/4 Cubs, GP PT-19, and Senior Telemasters.

BTW, Mr Pipercub, looks like you put your prop hub on what I'd call the "back end". I have no doubt it will run fins as is, since these engines have crankshaft center sections that are symmetrical either way. I usually put the prop hub on the flywheel side and remove the "excess" framework to save weight. Looks very well done though.

Volfy, This engine is a G23 variant, came out of a trimmer called tanaka, I think I spelled it right. The photo is the motor after Peter Faith of wackerengines.com did some work on it. I needed a left hand thread hub made for it. I know, I know. I've heard all about the problems that come with a left hand thread hub. Got it under control..lol..I hope. Hope to get it running soon.

Thanks guys that was just what I needed. Now I have a starting point. This engine is probably going into a trainer of some sort. It is most likely going to be my own design. Something with lots of surface area on the wing. I have downloaded “Profili” and am planning on designing my own wing, the fuselage and tail should be pretty straight forward. This first one is aimed at getting my nephews interested in flying. The older one is 14 and the younger is 12. We took them to a “Big Bird Fly In” and they were really excited with the whole business. Actually, after seeing some of the planes I got pretty excited.

Before it’s all said and done I would like to build a PBY. That should be a fun plane to fly.

My next immediate step with this engine is to learn what modifications can be made on it to raise the compression and power output and to determine how best to make those modifications. I know I’ll be watching this board and pestering you guys for information.

BTW I live in The Woodlands just north of Houston, if any of you guys are familiar with this area and can steer me in the right direction on sources for parts or machine work it would be greatly appreciated. I used to run engine lathes for a living years ago but I don’t have one of my own.