Is there any one with experience with SPE engines? The prices look to good to be true. A friend picked up a spe26z for $230.00 NIB. He is looking for something to put it in and hasn’t run it yet.

I have the 26 from Cermark. A great running engine.

Not the most powerful engine on the block but reasonable value.

There's one in our club but it only spins a little over 7,100 RPMs on a 17x6 prop which is pretty weak. He also had a lot of troubles getting it to run consistently in the air until he turned the vent plate on the carb around so that the hole was pointing towards the rear of the engine.

He also had to replace a set of bearings within the first few hours of running.

If I were looking for an engine in this power-category I think I'd still opt for a nice glow motor. An OS160 would *eat* an SPE26 for breakfast, as would a Saito 180 (albeit at a much higher price :-)

I am flying an Extra 230 powered by a SPE 40cc engine fitted with MA 18x10 prop. So far 3 gallons have gone through it and I am satisfied with its performance.

I have a Aeroworks Yak 90-120 with a SPE26 engine. I installed a 11.1 mm carb, had laying around and installed a CH ignition, more reliable. I have less than one gallon of fuel throught it and the last tach reading with a Xaor 17X6 woody was 8200 rpms. The plane weights 10 lbs 1.9 ozs with Ni meths. The plane has plenty of power. will pull out of a hover. Good combo with this size of plane and I am very happy with the plane and set up.

If he is only getting 7100 on a 17x6 he is definately doing something wrong! Or you might be at high altitude?

Mine will turn an APC 17x6 @ 8000 and is currently turning an APC 16x8 @8600 on a 13 pound Great Planes Super Chipmunk!

Good running engine, but you do have to keep the carb clean! Double filters on the tank and filler line have helped out a great deal.

We're 1100 feet ASL. Perhaps the ignition timing needs to be advanced a little, it hasn't been touched or checked from new.