What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

Looking for a good conversion around the 60cc size. Something easily done with out much expense. Similiar to say the 42/46cc Poulan. To go into a 80", 14lb. plane. Actually it is the Great Planes Chipmunk. What are your opinions? Thanks

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

I don't think you really want to do that. I am not an expert in this area by any means but I have gained enough knowledge to know that this would not be a good idea. I don't think the GP Chipmunk is a good canidate for a conversion engine because of the small wing surface area. The plane is not really designed to use a gas engine. It will be too heavy with a big 5 lb gasser on the nose. I have no doubt it would still fly, but it would feel very heavy and landing it would be interesting to say the least. I think you would be better off with staying with a glow engine on this plane. If cost was not an object an light weight RCS 140 would be a good gasoline engine for this plane.

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

Looking back at the specs at 14.5 lbs that is 33 oz/ft. squared. That doesn't bother me, but it us a fully symetrical wing. Back off to a 40 to 45cc gasser would lower weight some. 14 lbs gives a 32 oz. load. A lot of airobatic planes weigh in at that. Guess basically it comes down to the air foil design. The GP wagstaff Extra comes in at the same and a lot of people say it lands ok.

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

I read through the manual and they mounted a 1.20 four stroke and still had to add 20oz of weight. A 25cc Modified Homie would power this plane just fine. Or if you could find a nice used Zenoah G38 for the same money for even more power. I think 60cc would be way over kill and 40+cc's would be pushing it.

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

14 lbs and 40cc would work good for me. If it would come out like that. You see a lot of people putting 40 to 50 cc into 14 to 16 lb planes all the time. A lot are over kill. I have a few 40cc engines looking for a home. Poulan 42, Poulan 46, FPE 40, Echo44. Any would work ok if they fit. 80" of wing gives a bit of wind resistence. But it would stilll be plenty fast for me. Still I would like to know what is an easy 60cc conversion? In the future I may want to ........................................

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

I fly a Bandito Grande at 82"ws and 14lbs using a ryobi 31cc. Perfect match, flys like a lively sport plane. Plenty of excess power for screamin fly bys and quick climbouts. I did some major mods to make the ryobi work but nothing that couldnt be handled by any builder. Just had to move the firewall back 3 1/4" to get it to balance without any led. Just speculating, but 40cc and higher might be too much for that arf airframe. They generally arent glued as good as stick built plane from my past experience.
Edwin

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

I have always had more negative results than positive whenever I overpowered my planes. They usually ended up in untimely deaths due to airframe stress. I am only giving my opinion based on my experience. If your looking for a 60cc conversion engine, you will have to find a big chain saw. Not many weedwackers and blowers if any have that size of engine. I know Homelite makes some big commercial grade saws but I think it will cost less to buy a good used Zenoah G-62. A Zenoah G-62 would be a better choice anyway.

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

try a poulan 60cc you can get them in under 4# ready to fly I have been flying one on a 80" cap for a couple years .

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

You also may want to consider the poulan 54cc I have done several of these and they produce lots of power and still under 4# this pic is of one of the first 54cc's I did have done lots of changes to them now including lighter better looking senser setup and muffler but don't have a newer pics at this time .Some freinds are flying them on the world models 300 planes .

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

went out and took some pics of a different 54cc that belongs to a friend , it is for sale with ign.

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

Loooks nice. Is there a commercial muffler for it or does a person have to go with custom built?

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

i build the mufflers also and yes it comes with one you can see more on my website

www.lambertsrc.com

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

Now if you looking for a commerical muffler, Bisson makes a couple for the poulan 46 which will also fit the poulan 54.

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

I also make mufflers that fit the poulans both side mount and wraoaround types

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

I have a Homelite Super XL 60cc in a Byron Christen Eagle that works just about right. Lit by CH ign.

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

Hey Eagle Flyer

I ran across a review on the GP Chipmunk that I think you will find usefull. Here is the link: http://tech.flygsw.org/chipmunk.htm

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

I am flying a 57cc Stihl blower engine on a 35-pound stick and previously verified that a 25cc engine will almost not fly the same airplane at 28 1/2#. The few flights made with the 25cc engine were very, very marginal and dangerous. Someone built it out of plywood.

I am also looking for 60cc + conversions. The Stihl backpack blower was a good choice but is hard to find. I prefer magneto ignition but most saws seem to have a heavy flywheel magneto.

Stihl makes a surprising variety of engine sizes. There is no substitute for cubic inches however the numbers are in cc.

Weedeater
27.2cc

Brushcutters
25.4, 31.4, 30.8, 36.3, 40.2

Clearing Saws
30.8, 36.3, 40.2, 44.3, 48.7, 51.7, 56.5

Backpack Blowers
27.2, 44.9, 56.5, 64.8

There are more sizes.

Bill S

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

you might want to look at the huskeys I have several of these I am in the process of converting

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

Ken,

Any pictures that you might take of the Huskeys along the way would be very interesting. Thanks.

Bill S

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

I will do that ,where should they be posted ?

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

To KenLambert : Neat job on the Poulon 54cc. Did you make a custom intake flange to mount carburetor ?

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

yes i machine an adapter from aluminum and use a thin plastic insulator .

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

or maybe a 176 cc husky twin

RE: What's a good 60cc +/- conversion canidate??
 

looks like a lot of weight for my 80" planes ,not real sure how well the T pins will hold up ?