Hi,
I will be starting a build on the Dynaflite Super Decathlon soon and am not sure what gas engine I will be putting in it. I am not new to this hobby but I am to gas engines. This will be my first.
What are the choices out there? I have read some other posts and did several searches and it looks like most are using the Zenoah G-38. What other options are out there that would work that I wouldn’t have to cut most of the cowl away to make fit? I am not into 3D flight, just sport flying and aerobatics. Enjoy pattern type maneuvers, so I need the power, just not what is required for 3D.
It looks like anything from 26 to 45cc would work, but that seems like a big span of engine size / choices. I have a budget of less than $400, so that may help weed out some of the choices out there.
What do ya’ll think?
Thanks…

Russell,

Mine has a G-26 on ignition, and the vertical is very good. No weight needed to balance, as well.

Love to see pics of your plane when you're finished!

Rick

I am also going to build the Dynaflite Super Decathlon for my winter build project. I just got the kit and have purchased a set of Sea Commander Scale Edo floats. I am going to build it for land or lake and am considering the DLE-30 but am now reading that it has some issues that need resolved ( i.e. fuel pooling in the intake chamber ahead or the reeds and engine quiting at low throttle ). I was set on the DLE-30 but also have concerns about needing extra power with the floats. I am assuming the DLE-30 has the same,if not more power, than the G-38 but I know the Zenoah's are very dependable. What are your thoughts...anyone? I have looked at other China make engines but have found they all have some quirks. Zenoah is a good choice for dependability. I have owned a FUJI and will never buy another one. I have a DL-50 and love it. ZDZ is my engine of choice but I think the ZDZ 40 RV-L will be too much power without the floats. Speedy

....regarding the ZDZ 40, that's what the throttle stick is for If it fits, the weight is within the airframe's means...I certainly wouldn't hesitate to use any engine you'd like. So ask yourself if you can control the urge to stress the airframe!!

Yes!!! I am familiar with the stick on the left. The ZDZ's are real stump pullers and are probably the only under rated engine on the market concerning power output, in my own opinion. The Decathlon should be a realistic performer on and off the water and is capable of precision aerobatics. Should be a show stopper on a low inverted pass with the floats pointed up! [sm=thumbup.gif]

........with smoke on [sm=shades_smile.gif]

I'm still looking around and am wandering if I will have any problems with the different carb configurations? Some are rear mounted and some are off the side. I assume the cowling may need to be cut with the side carbs. Don't really want to do that.

Russell,

I had a side carb'd Quadra in mine and it did take some cutting to clear it. A tough choice between cutting up the cowl and dealing with rear mounted carb (I don't like them one bit). I got lucky with mine. The carb cut out was just down in the black section of my paint scheme so it was not very noticable.

Have fun!

Bedford

I have a Nossen 1/4 scale Aeronca Champ , it came with an OS 140, don't care, I want to fly gas. I put a CRRC 40 kit engine in it. That engine has respectable power to weight ratio and is very cheap. Initially it did not like the idle so I used an RCEXL ignition instead of what CRRC gave me. It runs a little smoother that way. Anyway, your Decathalon is about the same size. With the 40cc and an 18 x 10 prop I can go infinite vertical or just poke along at 1/3 throtle. It is a nice set up. In initially flew that airplane with a weedwacker featherlite 26cc. It wallowed and did not climb well. I hated it. You can always throttel back.

Speedy, I would not shy away from the DLE-30. I have one turning a 20X6 at ~8100 and it is getting stronger all the time. I have about 2 gal. thur it and the only idle/deadstick trouble I had was when it was fresh out of the box. Most of what I am reading of the DLE-30 problems are being posted by people who either do not own one or have not flown it yet. Ground running tinkers....

I say:
Set the high
Set the low
Gas it up and go FLY!!

Just my 2 cents.

FlyBy8, I agree 100%! There is a big difference between a "motorhead" and a "motormouth". I see TBM is offering a FREE 42% Opto-Kill switch with purchase PLUS a $15 shipping discount. $304.00 for the engine and 42% switch SHIPPED!

Hey Russell, I have a Dynaflite Decathlon that I flew with a Saito 180 for two years and in the past year,I have been slowly getting out of the glow fuel business.I have a new MLD 28 that I just bolted on the front of mine,it should do well on the same 18x6 or 18x8 props that I was using on the Saito.I can't tell you yet how good this engine will fly this plane,but on the test stand,it sure did run good and the forums here have a lot of good comments on the MLD 28 engine.Please let us know what choice you make.

Thanks everyone. I bought the DLE-30, it should be here next week according to the big brown airplane delivery trucks website.

Thanks again...

Russell, you are going to love it...

Be sure to post some pics when you get her done.

I am about ready to get my DLE30 in the air! Capt,n http://rcuvideos.com/video/DLE30-Cold-day-test-run

John, thanks for taking the time to speak with me today, really enjoyed the conversation.

Thanks...

I found a Brillelli 36cc which went into mine. It fit like a glove! Unfortunately, they went out of business, so you would need to find one used. The carb is side draft, but with the engine mounted inverted, the carb angles downward, maybe 30 degree or so. It is not very obvious. The rest of the engine fit as if the model and engine were engineered together. Cutouts in the cowling lined up with bumps on the engine. Amazing.

I can say to ditch the stock firewall. The lite ply doesn't have enough density to not crush under the strain of a gasser. I would either put some aluminum plating on the back of the stock firewall to support the t-nut and the front, or just make a new one from some aircraft grade plywood. I'm still struggling with mine and dreading trying to get something more to support the upper t-nuts as they are seriously buried at this point.

Oops. One more with most of the graphics added.

I am considering the Evolution 35 GT instead of the DLE-30. More room with the carb on the front and there is a more direct flow of fuel/air mixture to the combustion chamber on the EVO 35. A little heavier than the DLE-30 but more power. I am open to discussion of the choice between these two engines. Remember I am going to have floats so bigger is better.

We had a Dynaflite Decathlon in the club for a couple years. 20lbs AUW with floats. Powered by a bone stock G26 and it flew great. It would loop and roll and fly inverted just fine. If you are looking for more aggressive aerobatics from your bird, more engine would certainly be a good idea. The G38 makes about the same power (thrust) as a G26, each on their best props and similar muffler types. So that route likely wouldn't satisfy any further aerobatic hunger. None of the 30's are going to be significantly more powerful, you might simply choose based on fit, however. And you probably won't want to up in cc's to the point where you are hacking out the cowl due to the small installation area allowed in the craft. Sounds to me you are on the right track considering the engines you are.