Hi Everyone,

Not so long ago, there was only one that was commonly known/available- the SPE/Melody 26. Nice, cheap and easy engine, but found mine a little low on power.

Seems like there is now almost a plethora of these things on the market now:-

1. CRRC Pro GF26I
2. CRRC Pro GF 26I SP
3. XYZ 26
4. SV 26
5. LSPro 26
6. Anything else?

Have had good experiences with the CRRC product, but how about the rest? I think they're still lower on power than say a G26 or a Brillelli 26, but they're also lots cheaper.

I've seen individual threads on each of them, but how do they compare against each other? Most of them look similar externally except the LS Pro which has a rear carb and ships with a wrap around muffler.

I'd be interested in tach numbers, engineering/durability and any other expereinces/opinions. Tempted to try another Chinese 26cc engine and was wondering what the state of the Chinese engines are like today.

Thanks.

You forgot one GRpro 26cc (AKA LSPro / SV ) I have one in a 69" ESM Sukhoi Goes very well no trouble now that i have it tuned, its getting better and better as it runs in.

I will have Tach numbers next week.

I have some experience with the XYZ 26cc A-spec.
at first look, it seems like a good engine, the crank is CNC machiend, walbro carb... nice engine.
ran it for the first time with a 17X6 APC prop.
after initial break-in, the engine starts easily, turns the prop at 7500rpm (thats for a new engine).
ran it rich for a galon of fuel (while flying) and started leaning the top-end.
i had two galons of fuel throgh it (95 octane, fully synthetic motul oil 1:33) and now it spins a 17X6 prop at 8000rpm - thats rather nice for a 180$ engine.
for high (relative) static thrust, i used a 18X6W APC prop, the engine turns it at 7100rpm and the plane (11lbs) has unlimited verticals.

the engine was mounted on a funtana90, had a lot of fun with her till i crashed her - it seems that this engine cant work without fuel
mounted the engine on a extra330, once tuned - the engine perfomed fantastic.

problems:
Had some problems with the connector of the hall sensor, replaced it with a standard servo connector and the problem was solved.

pros:
Its a nice engine, great value for money, easy to tune, lightweight, friendly.
will replace any 1.20 glow engine.
very low fuel consumption.

cons:
the muffler is rather large, could be replaced with a wraparound type.
problem with the hall sensor connector, easily fixed.
not as powerfull as the zenoah or MVVS (but for this price, i was very satisfied).

RCGF 26

http://www.zjrcgf.com/en/product/open.asp?id=2903

Milton

My xyz 26 lasted about 20 minutes before the main bearings were toast. Was way down on power also.

There isn't one Chinese 26 on the market worth any money... they severly lack power and most of them either broke the mounting lugs very early on or throw bearings.

If you want an engine to last you 1-15 gallons then close your eyes and pick one on your list.. if you want an engine that last 50+ gallons then you mentioned 2 of them.

You get what you pay for, and you're not paying for much. As for the RCGF, read my thread on their 100 twin and then make your choice.

I just stuck it in there because the question was ask if there was anymore 26cc,

I had talk to Katrine a while back about there engines but glade I did not go that rout.

Spelled here name wrong, It is Cathrine

Milton

The one thing that I do not understand about some of the China made engines is why put all that effort into designing and building these engine and put cheap parts that will not hold up, Such as bearings seals and so on, It would probably only cost a few more dollars to do it with good products and then they would be turning out a good product.
When I was talking to Cathrine about there engines I had no idea that had bushing instead of roller bearings, Plus there price on the engine even as a importer is not that cheap.
I am getting a custom design 100cc that I have said what I would like it to be and been working on it for about three months, The motor is now in it third week of testing and if all goes well I will have it in about two to three weeks, Plus my cost is not what RCGF wants for there engine as a importer.
The one big hurdle was the carburetor, Could not get a good one in China so had to buy here in the sates and ship over there for testing..
If this 100cc puts out anything like the 51cc it will be a stump puller. Really going to be a 102cc

It's all about the money, not the product, not the customer. They have no product liability and can never be held responsible. They know that. If people buy the product the dollar transfer is made and nothing else matters. Once the sales start falling off, change the product name to something else and kick start the sales process all over again. Repeat as many times as required.

In the "middle kingdom" they view things a bit differently from what we do. That's just the way it is.

Just to clarify something here
Yes - some models of RCGF did have bushings on the con rod but they DO have rollers and ball races on the crank.

I agree that the 100cc engine Pat received is not performing as others have seen. When I get back to Oz in a few weeks, I will take some video to post of my own side induction and rear induction versions just to show that some do perform well. I don't know what is going on with Pats engine and I'm the first to admit that it sure is a weird one on the performance figures he's getting.

the LSPro 26cc ( aka GRpro / SV ) is a good engine and most reports are good only one person on here broke lugs that i know of maybe due to a too low idle or suspect casting on earlier version? Just Engines in the UK sell them and that means they pass their critical testing ! They have roller bearings all round and the ones i have opened all have NSK japanese bearings.

this doesnt change the fact that none of these 26cc engines are worth the dirt cheap prices they are charging...

You want a 26cc engine that runs and doesn't fall apart?

Buy a Zenoah.

Ruddy,
You are not just wrong, but you are 100% wrong about the 26cc engines. I have sold over 100 of these 26cc engines and have never had a failure with one of them!!!!!!!!!!!!! I fly 2 of them myself, one in a Cermark Pitts and one in a Yak 54 and the performance is great and they are reliable. The ones I sold are the rear induction reed engines. If anyone has had a problem with one of my LS PRO 26cc engines I would like to hear about it. That engine happens one of the two engines I still sell from the GR PRO line. That engine and the LS PRO 50cc twin have not had a failure to my knowledge.

Larry LS PRO ENGINES


AIRBORNE RANGER

It's Jake! How often online do you see someone's last name first?

You are untitled to your opinion as I am mine.. and since YOU sell them obviously you have a certain opinion of them. Great to hear they run and don't break (all 100+ of them that have X gallons on them).

Fact is, as I stated in my original post.. "they severly lack power and most of them either broke the mounting lugs very early on or throw bearings." Your's so far are standing up... great! But they do lack power compared to the 26s that are not in the new breed of inexpensive engines.


On a side note.. you really need to stop taking my comments personally. Go bark at some of the ton of other people who don't support these engines like me. It's like I am the only one who is outspoken about these cheap engines and I am the far from the only one. There are 5 others in here saying the same thing!

Larry,

Did I read somewhere that you tear apart every Chinese motor and inspect it before you sell it? I might be wrong but I seem to remember reading that. Maybe you said you just gave them a quick once over before sending them out the door.

At this point in time it's extremely hard to trust any Chinese motor out right now with all the "fly by night" Mfgs that pop up monthly and then disappear almost as fast. Really it puts you in a catch 22. First if your engines run reliably and produce decent power then kudos to ya. Second I'd be PO'd with all the junk Chinese engines being sold out there that your engines rightly or wrongly are getting lumped in with. However to defend the detractors "like myself" we've seen time and time again were importers have come out and proclaimed their engine to be the "Greatest thing since sliced bread". Only to find out that it last less than 10 gallons before it self destructs. Unfortunately I can't say one way or the other with your Lspro brand since I don't own one and have yet to meet anyone that does. Until then I'm going to error on the side of caution, but in all fairness I have yet to read, see or hear anything negative about your 26cc. So if I was going to take a risk on a lower cost 26cc engine I'd probably be inclined to give you a try.

Just my 2c

TxDiveBomber

Jake Ruddy,

When you make statements like "There isn't one Chinese 26 on the market worth any money... they severly lack power and most of them either broke the mounting lugs very early on or throw bearings. " And "this doesnt change the fact that none of these 26cc engines are worth the dirt cheap prices they are charging " I have to take your comments personally. If you owned one of the engines and had first hand knowledge ot the engine I can see you making inflamnitary statements if you had problems with one of the engines. I wish soarich would chime in on how much power my LS26cc engine has because he has flowm both my Yak and my Pitts, and they are far from being UNDERPOWERED. I have heard of lugs braking on one of the OTHER BRAND 26cc engine [which will go un-named less I get edited if I mention it] but none of mine have ever broken, and if they did I would know it and replace the engine, and find out why it happened. I do care that I sell a good product and will defend my position.

Larry LS PRO ENGINES


AIRBORNE RANGER

I have to agree with Larry. I purchased a really great little 26 from Scott (Brillelli) almost two years ago. It was the 26 SS, what he called back then. Now he replaced this motor with another one, which is just as good, I heard. That 26 SS is still in my Curtiss Hawk 6-E and is a power house for its size. Never had a problem with it. So I believe there are good motors coming from China.

Thanks guys, I'd be the first to admit that I have had limited time on gas engines; hence my interest in hearing from those who have. I've tried SPE and CRRC Pro - but never push/fly them on an intensive frequency like I have some nitro engines. Interestingly, both EIs died within the first gallon.... But as long as the EI is working, they've both been easy to start, tune and fly .... so far! I've heard about the bearings too, but touch wood, mine are still holding up with the little use they've gotten.

So it sounds like LS Pro is the only one with a happy user/seller? Larry, could I please trouble you to post some tach/prop if youhave some available? I'm interested and it would put to paid the power argument (which I think is generally true of many chinese engines) that has been raised.

Thanks.

I could be wrong but if you read all the post about China made engines you will find that most that are sold by importers and dealers in the US and maybe some other countries acroos the pond, They are backed up and supported by the dealer or importer. The ones that people are having problems with are mostly the ones bought off Ebay or China web sites.

Milton

Larry,

I have seen the video on your site (and others) and there have been tons of threads on your 26 and the other variations of the name depending who sells it. I don't need to own one to reproduce the numbers everyone else is getting. Every number I have read on that engine is in the mid 7k with a 17 or 18" prop.. I seem to recall a lot of people running 17x6s in the upper mid 7k. The other 2 engines being mentioned will spin an 18x6 (a real prop not an MA or Zinger) 8700-9000 within the first few tanks of gas.

I made a general statement and stick by it... yours doesn't break mounting lugs (again that good news!) but it still lacks power compared to whats out there. To weigh out the differences in performance is not worth it to save $100 or so in my mind. Again this is my opinion (and obviously a few others in this thread) and I am sorry if you don't agree with it... but you aren't going to change it.

Hi Milton yes, US fliers are luckier that way. Over here, it doesn't matter whether you run an MVVS, DA, SPE or any unknown china brand - dealer support is likely to be confined to shipping back to the factory, at the very best. Truth is few if any of the local vendors have the expertise to properly support their product locally.

Jake, I take your point. Haven't seen or heard of a chinese engine that could do much better than 7500 with an 18 x 6 prop. But they can be about half the price! In truth, I was getting a little tired of the lower power of my chinese engines and was wondering if there were newer designs out there in the 26cc size that could at least come close to the big name engines. In the 50cc size, there's the DL; is there anything like that in the 26cc ranks?

Thanks

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At last. A post that I can agree with.


Ed Cregger

Jake

You two just have a personality clash, you know the right buttons to push! Please give me the list!

As far as the LS Pro 26, I bought one, after I test flew Larry's two planes with them. Larry won't let me fly them anymore, he said I was going to rip the wings off his CelMark Pitts They seem to have enough power for me, they went OOS vertically. The only down side of the LS Pro 26 is the lack of a choke. I haven't had time to mount mine yet, but I'm just going to run a priming line to the carb opening, I'll just give ti a squirt of gas. We've found that after the first start of the day you don't need the choke. If you don't want to put a priming line in for that first start of the day, just borrow a glow guys starter for the first start, it seems like any starter turns them over to get them running.