Please choose one of the first 5 and one of the 7/8/9 options.

I am curious how others approach this topic. I use engines from either catagory depending on the application. I enjoy flying the conversions, 4 strokes most of all, because you have something unique and in some cases there is no other way to do it. It's also nice to get a tremendous value for the money in a hobby where all too often the price is easily up to double just because a product is distributed as a hobby item.

I agree 100%...take care converts!!! Capt,n

I use conversions because I'm cheap and I like the satisfaction of doing it myself. I like showing the DA, ZDZ, 3W guys that there is life outside the $800 engine.

"Yeppers!! Thats a chainsaw motor on there. Flies good, don't it?"

For hobby gassers I use Zenoah, Fox, and ZDZ. For conversions I've done Ryobi, Poulan, Craftsman, Stihl, and McCulloch. Amazingly, out of all the conversions I've done--my current Ryobi 31cc is the first turd I've ever built and been unhappy with. Not to worry--I got more jugs and pistons in the shop. I'll just swap out the top end on this one. Thats the benefit of having 7 cylinders and pistons lying around that you picked up at the garage sale for $10 apiece. Don't try that with a hobby engine.

yeah, I'm doing it because I got the plane for free (bare, but still), the weedie for $5 and like doing stuff with my hands (and don't have $500 sitting around for the correct engine for the plane)

Wife and three little ones. FREE .99 is always good too. Plus I love the look on peoples faces when I tell them that was once in a weedeater.

Why use an ARF engine? Don’t you know how to build an engine?

Bill

My machine tools are lonely and want me to come out and play often.

The correct engine is the one you think will do the job in a powerful manner and for the lowest cost.

Got 3 more engines today. Best part, all of them where free. I think I may try some big ports in a couple of em. If by chance they blow up....no big deal!!!! Capt,n

Well, there's the price, and then the price, and of course don't forget... the price! $300.00+ to $600.00 or more for an engine is absolutely ludicrous to me, and completely unwarranted.

Then there's the challenge, the accomplishment, the look on peoples faces when you tell them where the engine came from, etc.

AV8TOR

I'm waiting for my lathe/mill combo to get here from Harbor Freight. I started modding utility engines about a decade ago with an old jeweler's lathe. When we moved from NJ to GA in 98, the jeweler's lathe found a new home.

It is fun finding out just how much excess metal can be removed from a utility engine.

To me, it seems like there is a ton of extra weight in the fins. I woud like to see most fins at about 1/4~1/3 of their thickness.

It's just great fun!

i just thought it was a blast putting one on a test stand with a prop after converting one i cant imagine buying an engine ready made now a days. of course i like building planes from kit too.