I have to get a large (100cc) single cylinder gas engine for a warbird. My only gas engine experience is with CDI powered engines (DA, ZDZ, MVVS). I am getting a Quadra100 for this bird and it has been suggested that "keeping it simple" and going with a magneto driven version of the engine is cheaper and all-round probably better (read that more trouble free/simple) in the warbird application. Weight savings is not an issue because added nose weight may be necessary even with the heavier engine. Would anyone care to comment, thanks.

If you need to nose weight then the magneto version will certainly help as they are heavier than the electronic version of the same engine.

Other than that there really is not any real power differences that I have noticed. Now I am speaking from a Zenoah standpoint. I have no experience with the Quadra line

Magneto pluses = simple, cheap, reliable....mag minuses = heavy, slower spool up, not repairable is it quits, more vibration at idle.
Battery CDI is just the oppsite, except they are reliable too.

The only reason to get a magneto engine today is price. The magneto engines are NOT more reliable. In fact you will find that a magneto engine is tougher to start, and does not idle as well necessitating higher idle speeds just to keep them running. Yes they have fewer parts and no battery, but that does not equal a better running or a more reliable engine.
Unless you are really price strapped, stay away from the magneto engines.

14 to 1600 rpm idle is too fast ?

RC, I Own one of your conversions! A G-38, and one of the reasons I recomend against a stock magneto engine. Your converted G-38 idled significantly lower and smoother than a stock G-38. On top of that, it was a joy to start. The people with a stock G anything were using spring starters, slapping the prop or using a Giant starter. I simply flipped it over once or twice by hand. It really PO'd all the other Magneto flyers.

Have never had a magneto engine fail due to lack of spark, the faster they spin the hotter the spark and with the battery system they will lose spark with an increase in rpm. Have seen more than one battery system go kaput with the exception or the RC system. You will love the Q100 with magneto.

I have both types of ignition. I prefer the electronic ignition because I can start them with nice easy flips of the prop, and they idle smoother. After they are running, & above an idle, I cant tell any difference.