bsheridan2002

I'm considering buying one of these engines. Are they any good? I'm new to gas and I need a 50cc powerplant.
Thanks

bubbagates

My Feedback: (32)

They are a bit on the heavy side

I'd look into a ZDZ50, Da50, 3W50 or even the new 3W 55i and the Brison 3.2 I have all of these and love them all with the DA and ZDZ being broken in a well running. I can't say much about the 3w engines as they are still going through the breakin process but so far they have also been very reliable. The FPE3.2 I had was nothing but problems and spent loads of time back at the manufacturer and it got to the point that I did not trust it so it's sitting out on the workshop.

ZDZ can be found at the following link.

http://www.rcshowcase.com/

I get my Da engine from Troy Built Models though you can get them right from Desert Aircraft

http://www.troybuiltmodels.com/

http://www.desertaircraft.com

I get my 3W engines from Aircraft International

http://www.aircraftinternational.com/

All three have been excellent for customer service

bsheridan2002

Thanks Bubba. was your fpe an older one? do you know if your poor experience was typical?

ljones5000

My Feedback: (2)

I have a FPE 3.2 on a SIG Sundancer biplane and it is a really, really good engine. It starts easily, runs great at all speeds, instant transtion, steady idle, etc. I run a Bolly wood 22X8 prop and it's been a while since I tached it but my recollection is that it turns about 6700rpm...that might not be the right number as I pay more attention to how it flys my plane than rpm. It flys the crap out of my Sundancer.

The only problem I had was when it was new it took a while to break-in and it sputtered and popped some, as in rich. After breaking in, it never misses a beat.

Larry

Bob Laine

My Feedback: (91)

ljones5000 Do a search on the "Taurus" line of engines. They are without a doubt the most respected engine on the market. And......They are Peerless, in the 50cc market. Or, consider a getting one of Ralph Cunninghams, "Super lite" Zenoah, G62's. I have one and I'd put it up against any other engine in it's class. Bob

rcbill

My Feedback: (1)

I have the FPE 3.2 engine. It's a very good engine although the DA 50 spools up faster.......Bill

excaliber

bsheridan2002. echo b. laine's comment about the Taurus. you might pay a few bucks more, but its worth it for the quality and performance.

ljones5000

My Feedback: (2)

I already own the FPE and was only answering bsheridan2002 who asked about the FPE. Bob, have you ever owned a FPE? From your comment I guess you've owned both. Mine runs good but I have never put it in competition with any other.

I have long admired the Taurus simply from reading the forum and many good comments but I have never seen one. If anyone at our field has one, i'm not aware. If I needed a 3.2, I'd certainly consider a Taurus.

Larry

Bob Laine

My Feedback: (91)

ljones5000....In all honesty I have to admit that the "First Place," engine is the only engine I've never owned. However I have seen others use them at different flying fields, and they all seemed to run OK, and I've never heard any negative comments about them. Bob

bsheridan2002

Thanks for the info. I have a chance to buy one at $350. I need a 50 for a biplane project. plane should be about 16 lbs. I like to dabble in 3d but I'm not hard core (if I was, I think i would pay the extra money for a DA.

Rcpilot

My Feedback: (78)

I could be wrong, but I thought the FPE 3.2, Brison 3.2 and Fox 3.2 were all the same cylinder and piston from a Sachs based engine.

?? [:-]

They should all run about the same. Cantilever crankshaft. Machined aluminum crankcase. Sachs cylinder, rod, and piston. Walbro carb. Run it with 40:1 fuel for 5 or 6 gallons and then switch to synthetic if you think it's necessary. I don't run synthetics. I just run them on 40:1 untill I crash them. But, just do whatever you feel confortable with.

So, are they all Sachs based jugs and pistons--or does Brison, Fox and FPE all make their own cylinders that are unique to their engine?

I have a Fox 3.2 and a friend has the FPE 3.2 They look darn near identical. I'd almost swear the cylinders were identical. Just some slight differences in the crankcase machining.

Antique

My Feedback: (4)

Look on the base of the cylinder, a Sachs will have ZN44 something cast into it..I think the FPE is a Husqvarna.
Cantilever crank engines don't use chainsaw rods. The rod is sold as part of the crank. It would be too expensive to take a high dollar chainsaw crank apart just to get the rod and bearing...
DA and A&M found this out the hard way...