mesa.. the less expensive engines are not putting out anywhere near the power of the G-26 and Brillelli 26. They also will not last as long plain and simple.

As far as teh MVVS 26 and a pipe.. its nice that it doesnt have a side carb, but the 2 above engines without a pipe will still beat the MVVS 26 with a pipe. If you put a pipe on the G-26 and Brillelli 26 they then walk all over any 26 on the market.

Reliabiltiy, parts, and service are the prime factors in an engine selection. The decision should never be made on price. Chinese engines are rapidly advancing in quality but many have quite a ways to go. What's the point in purchasing an engine at an extremely low price and them finding that you will have to spend another $100.00 or more to make the engine run the way it could or to repair parts that suffer extremely early failure?

A few of theose engines are showing promise but he track record is quite short. Some might try to imply that Brillelli has not been around that long but the base engine products he uses have been around and proven forever. He doesn't copy another engine design, he uses the original and modifies to create a great product. Zenoah has been around forever and there are many, many people that have been consistently using the same Zenoah engine they originally bought 20 years ago. That's what reliabiltiy is all about. Evolution gas engines are made by a company that makes engines for other things and has good quality practices. They also are distributed by a company with a good customer service history. You always know you will be able to contact the seller and have your engine repaired if neded. Others can be pretty hard to reach and often won't have parts if you do.

Power comes with quality. My experience to date has been a bit negative with eastern imports, though others have done reasonably well. Obviously that influences my opinions. Some engines are ok, some you have to make ok, some will never be ok. How do you know which is which until you own one? Just like furniture. All the makes have stuff you can sit on, but with some your butt will hit the floor when it breaks a week after you bought it.

I have been trying to follow Brillelli 26ssr thread and there have been only few tacho readings from normal users. Piped Evolution 26GT spins 18x8 Menz woodie 8200rpm. Please post some tacho readings for G26 and 26ssr with this prop or something heavier prop than that usual 16x8 APC. Will the G26 or Brillelli 26ssr even turn 18x8 prop?

Nice article about older Evolution engine tuning:
http://tech.flygsw.org/evolution26review.htm

The benchmark prop on an Evolution 26 is an 18x6 turning 8700. Evolution loves to quote all it's rpm numbers with pipes.

Both the G-26 and Brillelli 26 will turn an 18x6 Mejzlik at 9000 with a stock muffler. Mine was turning an APC 18x6w at 8750 with 2 12 oz tanks through it. Add a pipe and you can expect upwards of 10k.

Well that tacho reading was measured by me not Evolution...

Here is post with some numbers with pipe:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7324926

Another thing to consider is longevity.
I have a Brillelli engine and it runs great.

The problem is how long will they are using that particular engine?
And will you be able to get parts in 5 or 7 years?

The Zenoah has been top dog for years. I'm sure they will still be making it in 2 more years.
And I'm sure the Brillelli will have changed by then.

Now this is a trade off situation.
The Zenoah costs more and will last and last.
The Brillelli costs and the replacement cost is less and you can keep getting the latest and greatest.

I know technology will keep improving and engines will some how keep making more and more power
while getting lighter and lighter.

Kema, I understand that.. I was just saying their numbers are with pipes and the numbers I am quoting are without pipes and they are higher.

Not many have put a pipe on the B26 yet.. I have one sitting here but I am waiting on a certain plane to come out for it. I dont expect the plane to be available before the summer so my hands are kind of tied.

That's what test stands are for.

Mark

What about electronic ign. verses mag.? G26 comes both ways, and now i'm really getting confused of which to buy. Is it really worth the extra 50 bucks? has electronic ign. proven itself? I'm in the automotive electronic and fuel injection service business and the auto electronics have proven itself over the years, but they had problems when it first come out. Anyone can work on or test a mag., but what about the little electronic box?

Those electric boxes have been around for 20+ years...

The advantage of EI is the engine is a lot lighter and easier to start.

Both have their good and bad points.

Magneto ignition

Advantages : Very robust and reliable.
Disadvantages : Significantly heavier than EI engines and can be quite difficult to hand start
at times requiring an electric starter or Recoil Spring/Jump start
where applicable.

Electronic Ignition

Advantages : Lightweight, convenient and very easy to hand start.
Disadvantages : Needs onboard battery power to operate.
Not quite as reliable as a mag system.
Some are repairable.

Karol

I have both.
The mag is a good deal if you need the weight and If you have a spring starter and that means more weight.
My EI engines all hand start easily and run better that the mag, but not by much.

With the mag if you don't spin it fast enough it doesn't generate spark so it won't start.
With out the spring started you need a HD starter and a good battery.
That's 125 to $150.00 plus you take it with you everytime.

When I fly my gas stuff I only take gas. I have enough battery to fly all day and if something goes wrong I fix it at home.
I've had more bad luck fixing something at the field and crashing later.
So Just take a backup.

K.I.S.S.

I just wanted to say thanks for all the responses and to rcslim for starting this thread. The info on here has been a BIG help to me.
Thanks again!

From all i have read about gas engines, i have just about decided to go with the ZG20ei. It may not fly my sowrd 140 as well as i want it to fly, but like is said before- I'm not a hot rod pilot. On second hand i have a sword 90 that it would be perfect on. I have several 90 size planes that need motors and the 20 may suit my purpose better than the 26. I can always get a 26 (or larger) later. I have read where the G20 can hover a 100 size funtana at half throttle. Any truth to this? And thanks for everyones help. I haven't made my mind up yet, but am getting close.

Here's an SV26 in action on a 15 pound Stearman, swingin an 18x8. You'll probably want more power for pattern flying though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYxJrV_MIMc

I have a G-20 with the Toni Clark tuned exhaust. It is a excellent combo in the 90 sized planes. It would be ok for advanced sport flying in most 120 sized planes.
16x8 APC 9000, 17x6 APC 9200

That engines does kick freeonthree

I think this is as good of a thread as any to ask this question- I have a 1/4 scale cub with an RCS 1.40 that I'm really tired of futzing with. I'd like to replace it with something in the 20-26cc gas range that is RELIABLE, but I also don't want to cut the cowl up (any more that it already is - just a slot in the bottom for the plug cap). The biggest problem appears to be the width, especially on the on muffler side (critical measurement from the propshaft center to the outside edge of the muffler). The current engine has a wrap-around muffler for inverted mounting. It appears to me the only options are the extinct Roto 25 and the Evo 26GT/GX. Am I missing any option here? Anyone familar with the standard inverted RCS 1.40 dimensions who can comment on replacements?

RICKVB,
There are'nt many matches made in heaven but 1/4 scale cubs and Zenoah G-26's are about a perfect a match as you'll find. AND, the ability to get parts and service are widespread. Just m2c.

Happy Flying!

Loopman

I know they run very reliably, but as I said requirement #2 is that I don't want to cut the cowl up more than it is. Previous postings in this thread have noted that there's not much left of a Sig Cub's cowl after cutting for a G26.

Another possibility came up in my research today - has anyone tried a First Place 1.3? How do these compare powerwise to the RCS 140?

SV 26. Comes with a rear Walbro carb and a pitts muffler.

Got the RCS version of this engine. It's about 1/2" too wide. If there is a muffler option with a connection that is about 1/2" narrower next to the head, it would work. Any ideas?

[link=http://www.rcshowcase.com/images/engines/rcs/large/RCS-SV-26.jpg]RCS-SV26[/link]

Just for comparision, here is what I'm trying to replace. Note that I just measured it on my plane, and it's exactly 2.25".
[link=http://www.rcshowcase.com/images/accessories/mufflers/140spittsfv.jpg]RCS 140[/link]

Why do you not like it.

Milton

You can find several threads here on RCU describing the common difficulties with this engine. It has nver run perfectly, and now I can't get it to idle or transition worth a damn. Might be why RCS is phasing these engines out.