Are there any conversions that will produce similar performance to weight as the high $$ performance gassers? I would like to go gas in my H9 Cap but I cannot find an economical gas solution.

I was considering the MVVS 1.6/2.15 but am yet to hear any actual flight reports. Vertical, hover, sufficient performance to do 3D etc. An actual flight report would be great!

Other than the MVVS can anyone report what type of performance they are getting with a Ryobi 31cc conversion or chainsaw?

Have you checked out http://www.rcfaq.com there is a link for engine conversions. There is some good info on the Ryobi 31cc engine. I just bought one at a swap meet so I went there to find out about it. I haven't started mine yet, its on a 89" PT 19. Hope this helps.

fossil

I presume you're talking about the 1/3 scale ~25 lb H9 232, for which H9 recommends a GT80. I am a fan of the Ryobi conversion, but it is an economy option, not high performance, and I doubt it would get the 232 off the ground. I expect the PT19 is the <15 lb Dynaflite, for which the Ryobi is a good match, especially as the PT19 tends to be a floater, way different from scale aerobatic. I think you're going to be disappointed with less than 60 cc in your CAP, and if you're going to buy new you might as well spend a bit more for an 80 and have all you'll need.

RCFAQ mentions a hopped-up Ryobi getting 9 lbs thrust. Standard conversion would be more like 7-8 lbs. No way that is going to fly 1/3 scale, much less hover.

Actually it is for a 1/4 scale H9 Cap 232. At this point I am leaning to the MVVS 2.15 (1.6). I would like to get some actual flight reports before I order this combo.

Ive flown this plane with a very good running (18x8@8000rpm) Homelite 30cc weedie.
It would do all the aerobatic stuff no problem.
BUT it wont torque roll or hover.
The Homie is about 8oz lighter than a Ryobi and about 1000 rpm stronger.

tkg,
How did you get that much out of the Homelite 30cc? Did you put on a larger throat carb? Mine only gets about 7000 with a 16-8. Starts easy and runs smooth otherwise.

Tmoth4
Bigger carb (WT-9), better muffler, deck crankcase and machine rear of crankcase to stuff it.
Also Bowman full circle rings and CH ignition. Every thing adds a bit of power and soon you are at 7500. Prop is a MA Simitar 18x8 wood. As the engine breaks-in it gets better.

Are you sure you have the 30cc engine and not the 25cc? About the best the 25 will do is an 16x8 APC at 9000 with all the mods

It's out of a weed whacker and it said it was a 30cc. I have a couple of 25s and they look a little different. The carb throat is pretty small, though. It flys a 17lb. Tigermoth in a scalelike manner, but I would like a little more power in aerobatics. The muffler is a modified stock one with all restrictions removed. Maybe a larger carb would be enough for me. Where do you get them?

If ya want the performance ya gotta spend the bucks!!! Ya ain't gonna drive a corvette on a yugo budget!! hehehe

By the time you get a eng and convert it and then modify it to perform to your standards you would be farther ahead to buy a Moki. brisson, zdz, tauraus, bme or any other proven line that you like.
This way you end up with a warranty and a eng that doesen't require 2 hrs of maintenance for every hr of flying. IMO

For sure you can go way off the deep end with these engines. Especialy if you pay to have it all done.
But I got the weedie for $25 at a yard sale, CH ignition is $120, the carb $35 and the rings are $15. Everything else is modified stock. So I got about $200 and a few hours of labor in it. The only maintaince in the last 2 years has been clean the carb. Replacement parts are dirt cheap, just buy another weedie.
The basic idea is to do it your self and have fun.

:idea: I have a homelite 33cc saw motor ,changed the muffler and mod. the flywheel. It turns Master Air classic 18x10 7800 to 8200 the saw is around 139.00 at home depot. it puts the stock 30cc to shame.

Homelite 33cc pic

Who is RCIGN and what would an engine comparable to the Bison 2.4 end up costing. Is there an option for an engine that is comparable to the 2.4 at a DIY price? I know, you get what you pay for, but I don’t have 450.00 to drop for a gas engine at this time. Looking for some options.?

On my 30cc and 25cc homelites I found a little hole in the cylinder just above the exhaust opening. I understand this is for easier pullstarting and less kickback in weedwhackers and leafblowers. I plugged these holes with set screws, the compression went up, and the engine power increased probably 25%. I don't know if this is on all their engines.
There is a lot of satisfaction in converting your own engines. Guys are always surprised at how well my planes fly with them. I still use quadras and big zenoahs on heavier warbirds, but I always cringe at the inflated prices of these.
The 33cc saw motor sounds interesting.
Where do you guys get the larger throat carbs for the homelites?

Just give RCIGN a call for a pOulan 46cc conversion they run well......

Dave

Would a G23 with some mods like a C&H be enough to fly a Cap 232 1/4 scale and do mild aerobatics? I also have a YSFS 120 but have been told it will be way underpowered. I would like to keep it light, but still have enough power to fly it like a Cap should. Hovering not important, good vertical is. I am just starting to learn 3D maneuvers.
Thanks in advance for all the responses.

Go to the arf section and do a search for g-23 232. There a couple of guys out there flying the plane w/ the g-23 and report pretty decent performance. Just not unlimited performance.
Good luck
Brian

First, I must address the comparison of the Homey Vs. Ryobi. The Ryobi engine is about half a pound LIGHTER than a homelite. I have 3-4 Ryobi's, both short and long shafts, both 31 and 28cc's. I also have a 25cc and 30cc Homelite. The Homey's are by far the heaviest and worst engine to put on any aerobatic plane, if you leave the stock ignition on. If you trim away all excess metal, you can bring a 25 down so it almost matches the G23 for power and weight. The Ryobi's are lighter with the CH ignition, and more powerful, too--if you leave them all stock.

If you want to hop one of these up, the Homelites are the best choice--with the 30cc getting the edge. It's both lighter (slightly) and got more displacement than the 25. These both have a stronger crank and rod than the Ryobi. They also are piston timed, with better flow. The Ryobi has a weak reed valve that restrics flow a lot. See my web page for some hop-up tips, as others have suggested.

For the best bargain & best power/weight ratio, the Poulan 46cc is the way to go. See my site. When brand new, mine almost matched my $550 broken-in BME 44, and the muffler was way more restrictive. With a better muffler, I wouldn't be surprised if it beat the BME, or at least matched it. Weights were negligably different.

Having said all this, I think the new line of 1.8 and 2.1 gassers are better options for this plane. The H9 1/4 scale Cap is a nortorious PIG when it comes to weight. You should try to save every ounce you can. The RCS 1.8 and MVVS 2.1 are lighter than the aforementioned engines, and should have plenty of power to please. While I love my gassers, this particular plane is really too small for great performance using a converted engine. For the smaller conversions, stick to the floaters like a Cub or PT-19. If you want a larger one--like the Poulan 46, it's sized to go into a 27% plane, like a MW Cap or Extra, or a AW 29% Edge.

Anybody that wants a Ryobi 31 or Homey 30, I've got some extra's that come with the parts. I'll ship them for a C-note. The Homey has no ignition--either get a CH, or fly it with glow. The Ryobi, you get your pick. I've got more engines that I know what to do with.

Cliff
http://www.rcfaq.com

The 30cc Homie converted to CH is lighter than the Ryobi with CH, if you include the motor mount the Ryobi needs. If you cut a hole in your firewall and mount the engine direct to the firewall the Ryobi is lighter and cheaper but still down on power.

We are running a Poulan 46 with CH on it and is running pretty good. 7100 on a MA 20x10 Classic. Converted if weighs 3.5lb, engine, H-9 motor mount, muffler. You are going to have $350 in a DIY converted one. About the same power as a Brison 2.4 (39cc vs 46cc) but down compared to a BME 44 or a Zenoah 45. Overall a good SPORT engine for something with a 78-80" wing

If you do go through with a conversion, get a CH Ignition with syncro spark. It's well worth it. Don't listen to that guy Terry at CH about this either--he might try to talk you out of it. He talked me out of it, and then when I added it later, I was glad I did. The engine starts easier, it's less likely to kick back, and the idle is smoother. It's only $40, too, and well worth it. I've got a couple now.

If money is a giant issue, then you can go without it. Personally, I won't do that again, though.

Sorry, Terry, but I just had to plug your product.

Cliff
http://www.rcfaq.com

Poulan & Syncro Spark, good idea. Homie & Syncro Spark, maybe. Ryobi & Syncro Spark

I dont think you could go wrong with the MVVS 1.60 gasser on a 1/4 scale bird if you wanted to go the gas route. The cost is low, she puts out good power, runs like a clock and is pretty light. I have on in my GP Giles 202 ARF that weighs 11 3/4 lbs and she pulls her around nicely.

Rev, thanks for the tip on the little Homelite. After seeing your post I headed down to Home Depot and got one. This is a very easy engine to convert. I've just got two tanks of gas through mine so far so it should get a little stronger, but right now it's turning a Pro Zinger 18x6 at 8500rpm, Zinger 18x6-10 at 7200rpm, and a Pro Zinger 20x8 at 6600rpm.

Hey Flip, how much does your Homey weigh in at. If it throws an 18-10 at 7200 thats about the same as a G-38, which aint bad IMO.
If you put a C&H on that bad boy it might loose enough to be a strong consideration.

On my scales, a little less than 4 and a quarter pounds. ready to fly. I'm sure I could get it under 4lbs if I wanted to. Those weight saving mods are very time consuming. I was really impressed with how smoothly this one runs. Not bad for a $150 total investment.