I've ordered a KMP T-28 for my first large scale warbird. At first I was going to go all out and put a radial into it, but I've revised my thoughts. I have a 30 CC Syssa I could stick in there, but I think it would be a little under powered. So I need an engine in the 45-62 cc range to fly the plane which should weigh roughly 20 lbs.

The most important factor for me will be reliability. I know all engines CAN have problems, but some have fewer than others. Included in reliability is ease of setting the engine up and tuning it, but I would kind of prefer a set it/forget it type engine, if possible.

The second factor would be sound. I'm planning on running a 3 blade Solo Prop, so maybe something with lower end rather than screaming top end would be more suited? I looked at the Saito 4 strokes, but they don't sound reliable as I would like. I love look of the 57cc twin, though.

The third factor will be aesthetics. I love the twins out there. I love the Mintor 55 cc engine. I love the radials (cost+weight=no). I would like the engine to look good, but I dang sure won't sacrifice reliability for pretty.

The last factor is weight. I don't want to add the weight of a radial in front. I want to keep the weight reasonable.

With those factors in mind, I have decided 1) I will go gas. 2) I need help since I have virtually no expirience with gas engines on planes. 3) I don't give a hoot about cost. I'd rather spend $1000 for a dead reliable motor than $250 for one I'll constantly be fiddling with. I mean hey, I have a Stihl weed eater that only requires that you put something flammible in the tank for it to run. I'm not sure if it even cares if there is oil mixed in.

That said, DLE, Mintor, DA, Saito, OS, Evolution, 3w, BME, Roto Motor, others??? are all fair game, but reliability is key for me.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

A G62 lite weighs about 4 lbs, flies our 26 lb AT6s racers about 130 mph using a 19-16 special APC prop....Stock engine, 8 inch long Mac's exhaust pipe, 9000 rpm in the air....
Check some out on usrainfo.org

If it will fit, i would go with the 3w-56b2 twin. Smooth, reliable, and powerful.

It won't fit. It appears the spark plug covers are about .5" too wide. Then again, I could cut out the cowl to make them fit, but for some reason that bothers me. Of course, I don't have the actual cowl here yet and have not been given exact dimensions. From what I have read, the cowl is about 10 inches wide, inside diameter. It is a little shorter (9.5 inches) on the bottom.

Heh, but is it reliable? G62 lite (Genoah?). Can't find a "lite" model. I'll check your site.

Thanks

I have no site...A 62 lite is my ignition conversion using a RC RXL ignition module....The 62s we use in the race plane are stock magneto ignition....Ther is no more reliable engine than a G62 with magneto ignition......Never been a recall or problem...Some people can't hand start a mag G62, it's just a matter of following instructions...

I have the 3W 56iB2, Above idle it is very smooth. Best engine there is for making an airframe last a long time. Draw back will be building an exhaust. I make my own 2 into one headers and run single cann exhaust. This engine really likes being on tuned exhaust. It can and mine does weigh just under 4# after a bit of modifying.
Next choice for power would be the 3W 55xi, Pure brute power and light.
Next choice BME 58 Extreme, Another screamer and the lightest possible weight. Both these will shake some but not too bad. Either of these would be excelent, because they are top of the line and will fit any application in the future.
And if you don't need lots of power the BME 50cc Echo conversion engine runs and idles very smooth. Acceptable sound from a stock muffler. Super easy to mount with the beams on the crank case. Keeping the weight down with a glass filled mount is a snap. Next best choice for long airframe life. Just not a good choice for a future 3D aerobatic plane.

<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; ">I can vouch for the reliability of the DLE-55.  ALL of mine have been terrific, and a couple are really getting up there in flights/gallons now, with not one problem.  Top notch stuff.<div>
</div><div>Having said that, I've owned a COUPLE of the G62 Lites from RC ignition...and I'll tell ya, they really seem to only do 2 things.</div><div>
</div><div>1) Start</div><div>2) Run</div><div>
</div><div>That's it.  They ain't fancy, they ain't pretty, they ain't loaded with bells, whistles, and such...and they don't have rabid fan boy clubs either.</div><div>
</div><div>They just sit in an airplane and do their job.  Always.  Every time.</div><div>
</div><div>Personally, I don't think you'd go wrong with EITHER option.</div><div> </div></div>

Reliable? How about ten years of continuous use with proper care?

G-62 is bullet proof!

Especially from RC Ignitions


Chris923

I would say that if reliability is your number one priority then a stock Zenoah G45 or G62 is the best choice. With the stock magneto you will never have to worry about a battery or electronic ignition failures which do not happen that often but can happen. Down side is extra weight and more difficult to start but Zenoahs will run forever. As far as tuning, I've found once you get them set right you'll probably never tweak them again unless you start changing props or see major climate change.

Zenoah 62 Lite or the DLE-55, can't go wrong with either. I have 3 Zenoahs & 2 DLE's.

Zenoah's are like the small block Chevy of rc engines.

Zenoah 62 is a work horse, DLE is more of a race horse .

Sounds like Zenoah is the best option. Now...45 or 62. I don't think that I'd worry about the weight shaved by losing the magneto, especially if the magneto meant increased reliability. Also, with the 62 only weighing a few onces more than the 45, is there any real downside to running a 62 other than maybe too much power for that small a model?

You do not have to use all that power

Yeah, I agree, but I'm sort of like a teenager sometimes. I just can't help myself.

I have a few hot rods myself.

Being a larger engine, there will be a bit more vibration with the 62 compared to the 45 but certainly not excessive. Either engine converted to EI will idle smoother and start easier than the mag version. Great engines in any configuration though.

The bigger engine with a bigger prop can present two problems. First, ground clearance with a bigger prop and second, slowing down the plane for landing.

So, 45 magneto with a spring starter. Is B and B the only outlet for that motor, or are there other options?

I'm going with a Solo Prop so I don't think slowing down or prop size will be a major problem. Vibration is a concern. Since they rec a 45 and the 62 flies a 25 lb plus model at over 100 mph, I think the 45 will be plenty of power for me.

Thanks!

The G45 will fly a 20lb T28 no problem with authority. The G62 will fly most warbirds up to 32 lbs or more comfortably.


You can purchase the G45 or G62 at either Horizon Hobbies or Chief Aircraft. Chief aircraft has the better price. There are probably other sources as well.

http://www.chiefaircraft.com/rcmsec/...enoah.html#g45

http://searchrc.horizonhobby.com/ind...d=12E7DB77D75C

Yeah, but they don't offer it with the fancy and easier to start "spring" starter.

http://www.bennettbuilt.com/page2.htm

I'm wondering if the B and B spring starter is only one of its kind or if there are other "spring" starters to make the engines a little easier to hand start.

You can just buy the spring starter from Bennett and put it on yourself.

Just a thought, there's also a "Jump Start" unit from C&H ignitions that makes hand starting very easy. Unfortunately due to health reasons, Bill the owner has shut down so getting one is probably not possible. But there's a Toni Clark unit "Easy Start" that does the same thing. I'm not sure how easy it is to get one since they are in Europe.

http://www.toni-clark.com/

I have two similar size planes (P-40 & Fw-190) with G-62's, carb bends, using Toni-Clark's 'Easy Start' system. They work great, however for this plane I would probably go with a DLE-55. It is about the same size and weight as a G-45, with more power and includes an electronic ignition. (In fact I just bought one for one of the new KMP or ESM Fw-190D-9's)

Would your 30CC that you already have give scale flight with a 19x8 prop? i would think you would have around 15-16 lbs of thrust and if only 20 pounds on that plane should fly in a very scale manner..

panhndl, unless you just have to have the warranty you can get Zenoahs from RCU market place all the time and save money. I wouldn't think twice about getting a used Zenoah from RCU if the price is right and in fact I have. Parts are easy to get and easy to replace.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/market/item.cfm?itemId=724703