Wondering if anyone has tried converting a goped/scooter engine for model aircraft use? In particular, I was wondering about the engines from Sikk/Superior... They seem to be available with a wide range of hop-ups already done and boast some pretty impressive power. Some of these look like Zenoah clones, at a much lower price.
Anyone have any idea how reliable these might be? As good as a trimmer or saw motor?

I heard that those engines are like a cousin to the zenoah. The sikk engines are suppoed to be really good, and can be modified with racing pistons ect. Better then any chainsaw engine in my oppinion

If that's true, then I wonder why there is no interest in them? These would seem to make an excellent conversion engine since they are:

1) Cheap
2) Powerful (supposedly)
3) Parts readily avialable

They are knock-offs of the Zenoah G230RC/G260RC car engines, with at least some level of parts interchangability. What's the difference between a G230RC and a G23 aircraft engine?

The Sikk / Superior engines are available in displacements of 23cc, 26cc, 27cc, and 29cc versions available. The 27cc and 29cc engines appear to be bored or stroked versions of their G230RC and G260RC clones.
The scooter/goped market is very competitive with everyone trying to squeeze maximum power from these engines for racing. You can buy these motors with racing pistons, cylinder decking (increased compression), porting, and matching already done for a small extra cost. The other nice thing is that some of the places selling these engines will delete the engine covers, exhaust, etc and reduce the price accordingly.

For example, at [link=http://www.hookupzracing.com]hookupz[/link] racing, you can get the 27cc engine minus the engine covers and muffler for $135. That's not much more than what some folks are paying for refurbished chainsaws. I'm really tempted to get one of these, but am wondering if anyone else has had any experiences with them before I order it.

Woah! Looks like you might be onto something here.For less than a new G-26 you might be able to have a 27 cc engine that kicks tail.From what i can see from that website on the 27cc billet all you have to do is to trim the housing down,machine and balance the flywheel,prop adapter and a mount and muffler and you are you are home.Very interesting indead!SHEESH!another engine to mess around with,lol!

The cool thing is that you can upgrade your G23 to a 29cc killer for $115 on another site, so "They" say. Send one to Ralph and have one of his ignitions put on it. Would be even lighter. Even at $250 for the 29cc billet motor, if the power is really that much more, it sounds like a good way to go.

You're paying extra for all that chrome stuff on that motor which you'd just strip off and throw in the trash anyway. The 27cc motor seems the way to go, since the 29cc motor is the same bore with a stroked crank. They claim it has about the same peak horsepower, but more midrange torque - not that useful for an aircraft engine. I just ordered a 27cc motor for $135 - I figure that's cheap enough to try as an experiment.

one thing you won't get with these engines is the zenoah's itty-bitty flywheel...doesn't matter if you go to battery powered ignition though..

i've been seeing these same chinese engines on "talon" brand trimmers and blowers. look to be straight clone of the zenoah engines and should run just fine. industrial 2-strokes aren't rocket science...


dave

Neither are "dedicated" model airplane engines, made from the same parts.

how would you know? you've only been at this for like 6 months...


dave

Righhhhht [sm=lol.gif]

Mid range torque is very much needed. Many 3D maneuvers are done at about 1/2 throttle. Having extra torque in the mid band would be a big plus when pulling out of a hover or torque roll. If you're not into 3D then no it really not worth it. Of course a side by side comparison of the two engines would really tell the story.

Kamakazi... I would really be interested in hearing how that motor works out. Can you keep us updated?

Thanks,
AV8TOR

I agree a side-by-side comparison of the 27cc and stroked 29cc would tell alot. I was thinking that the prop loading drops off very quickly as engine speed decreases, and therefore you don't need as flat a torque curve as a goped or scooter does. Half throttle might have you at 90% of max RPM, right? Anyway, I'll post an update as soon as I get the engine and when I get a chance to run it. Maybe in a week or two. I'll need to make a prop adapter and find a suitable muffler since I ordered it without one.

From what I understand, any G23 muffler will work. Going along those lines, I guess a tuned pipe would work well too!

OK I did some looking at the replacement big block cylinder kits and found "They" only have two mounting holes for the cylinder. The Zenoah G23 and G26 "RC" versions have four (like my G23 and Kalt 22). Ralph, if you're listening, will any of these kits fit the "RC" versions using only the two cylinder mounting bolts? I'm trying to justify replacing the cylinder on the Kalt (not in great shape) and this looked like a way to go as well as up the hp. Was also looking at having one of your ignitions put on it. Final destination, Cermark Pitts.

Still waiting for my 27cc Sikk engine. Ordered from Jerad Hill at Hookupz racing over two weeks ago. No replies to my emails and since it was paid for with PayPal, I am getting a little concerned. I'm still hoping he'll come through, but am losing hope at this point.
If anyone else is considering one of these engines, or a zenoah big bore kit, I'd suggest looking for a different dealer.

I put a 230RC 2 bolt cylinder on an ole G23 case..Takes a little hole tweaking but it will work....The transfer ports need a little matching also, on the base.....Worked OK otherwise..[8D]..Somewhere along the like Zenaoh made a 23cc cylinder that had the same wide transfer ports as the G26..I have one of the cylinders, same dimesnsions and even the same casting number, 2075, but a 32mm bore....A 26 piston is too big, but with a 23 piston is runs just like a 26...The early owner's manual lists the helicopter engine as a 23, the latest manual says it's a 26, same hp and torque numbers, same bore, 34mm..

Ralf.....what do you think of the engine in post # 4 ? Looks like it is well made???? Thanks, Capt,n

Post # 3 ? Looks good on the outside...So did the A&M engines, we know where they went
Haven't seen one inside yet.....[8D]

The G230RC & G260RC are for cars, they are high rpm engine (20,000).
I have the 230 on 1/5 car, It's totally different from the G23 & G-26

What makes it different aside from the larger flywheel on the RC engine? Is the porting different, larger carb, etc?
Does the difference in the powerband make it unsuitable for aircraft use?

Kamikazi

Have you received your engine yet and/or done anything with it?? I'm kind of waiting to see how things turn out for you before I order. I e-mailed them about a 26cc Zenoah "clone" long block, and got a prompt reply with a price of $110.00, but you had mentioned problems in receiving your order.

How about an update?

Thanks in advance,
AV8TOR

Yes, I finally got the engine. It took them over two weeks to ship it out, but then it was sent UPS 3-day. No reply to any of my emails during that period however...

For $135 it seems like a nicely made engine. The carb is a Walbro WT-668. Looks huge compared to weed wacker engine carbs. I have read that these engines don't rev as high as the Zenoah G230/260RC engines, of which they are a clone. How much slower they peak out, I don't know. The flywheel is about the same diameter as a homelite/ryobi flywheel, but about half the thickness and probably considerably lighter in weight. The flywheel is at the back of the motor, just like a Zenoah.
Suitability for aircraft use is unknown. I need a prop adapter - I'm thinking a standard G23/G26 adapter will work. Any ideas on where to get one? The end of the crank is tapered.

I'm not sure how I'm going to mount it yet either. The flywheel housing is part of the rear crankcase half and is really not needed. I'm thinking about cutting/milling it off and then fabricating an aluminum mount to bolt directly to the rear case half. I'll probably start on that this weekend.
I'm going to check the balance of the flywheel and will probably trim down the fins until they are flush with the face. The quality of the castings looks very good. I'll try to put up some pictures this weekend.

FWIW Alternate source. They advised in Dec that if their system allows you to order an item it is 'in stock' Timely good service

http://www.davesmotors.com/index.htm

I think I'd deal with DDM in the future if this engine works out. They have all the parts for the Sikk motors listed on their webpage. Unfortunately, they don't let you delete the engine covers and muffler on their order page, so their price ends up being about $40 higher than Hookupz. Maybe they'd do that on a special request...
Anyone know where to get a stock G23/G26 propshaft?