Engine Selection Help
 

I am building a Top Flite Cessna 182 Kit. The plane has an 81 inch wing span.

I thought i had decided on the DLE-20RA (its the DLE20 with rear mounted exhaust). However now i am having second thoughts and am thinking about a Saito FG-21. I currently have a plane with a FG-14 on it and i like the engine. Honestly the two reasons i have second thoughts are

1.) The FG-14 takes a 20:1 mixture as does the FG-21. If i get the DLE-20 i would be introducing a 30:1. I would hate to carry two fuel cans with me if i didnt have to
2.) I love the sound of the Saito. In the YouTube videos i have watched the DLE sounds like a chain saw

One thing i am trying to accomplish is fitting engine inside the cowl. I think the DLE would fit with no cutting and the saito would require cutting for the rockers, but i think it would be minimal.

Any suggestions?

Personally, I would opt for the Saito. Just finishing up a Hangar 9 Christen Eagle and I had choices between, DLE-20, OS GT 22 and Saito 125. I opted for the Saito.

Just wondering how you will be mounting the engine, sideways or inverted ? Only reason I ask is that perhaps some of the cowling trimming could be avoided. I know that they are different, but the Saito in my Eagle fits completely inside the cowling with no trimming. Only hole I had to cut was for the needle valve. I also mounted a remote glow starter, thus also saving another hole from being drilled to access the glow plug.

The DLE would likely run fine on 20:1.....

Go with the DLE

could you elaborate why?

The DLE has been straight forward, more trouble free, especially for people not so accustomed to gas engines.

The Saito FG-21 is a magnet for glow Saito people wanting to transition to gas. The gas Saito has not been exactly user friendly. It takes a lot of user experience to make the FG-21 perform satisfactory - especially in a cowled scale situation.

I personally have heard the same about the FG-21 . While I did opt for the Saito 1.25 for my Eagle, the Saito glow four strokes are a tried and proven line of engines.

Thinking now if I were you, I also would probably opt for the DLE-20, being it to be a proven and reliable engine. Not to mention the cost between the Saito and the DLE.

I had three Saito 125's at one time and they were always flawless

I agree! I've had two airplanes that I've removed the Saito glo 4 stroke and changed to DLE or similar 2 stroke gassers. In each case, I felt it was the best move I ever made. The gassers are much easier to manage and they sip cheap fuel. Regarding sound, I don't think the pop, pop, pop sound of a 4 stroke sounds any more like a full scale airplane than a 2 stoke so sound is not on my criteria for engine selection. Reliability and ease of operation top my list. A real plus for any gasser is the pumped carb that allows you to place the tank where you want so you no longer have to cram it in the nose close to the engine.

The Saito FG-21 is a gasser. I have a FG-14 which is also gas and runs great.

Amen.....

RCZIPPY:

The FG21 will not be any different than your FG14

Biting the bullet and going with the FG-21. Thanks for the comments guys