What do you all think about running say, 15% nitro through the Ryobi 31cc weedwacker engine? I built a go kart with this engine and it putted me around pretty good with premium unleaded gas. When I ran it with the nitro, I got probably 50-75% more power. I know it runs hotter and faster and wears more, but I was just looking to see if anyone has had any sucess with this in a plane? It'd definatly up the RPM's. It smokes a lot too, but that would just look cool inthe air. If the engine siezed after a season of flying, they're pretty cheap to get another one and throw all the conversion parts on that.

Comments? Concerns? Advice?

Thanks

Russ

The Ryobi is a reliable cheap entry level model aircraft engine when converted and used properly.Run a search and you will find a lot of info.Burning nitro in it is a total waste of time to no purpose,other than destroying the engine IMO. :thumbdown

For info on the RYOBI conversions check out

http://webpages.charter.net/rsengineconversions/

These guys really know their stuff and they can provide complete motors or conversion/upgrade parts. Look em up.

I have one of their homelites on my Ultra Stick and it runs like a scaleded dog.

Big al

The Ryobi engine has a weak crankshaft, that is quite thin.
Like you said, it is affordable and can easily be replaced
Look at the work I did on these engines if you are after a lot of power.
www.reivers.myweb.nl
there is a special Ryobi section with cad drawings of the mods.