I am on my 4th model and i am in the market for a 4 stroke engine. I need one in the .20 to .30 range for an affordable price. I was looking at O.S. surpass engines and at 170.00, it seemed to be alittle steep. I also looked at magnum engines for about 110.00. I am willing to spend more than that but this price is definatly affordable. However, This being my first engine, Im not sure what is the best for my money. I dont have the luxury of buying something and not liking it so i would like to make my purchase a good investment. What would you seasoned veterans suggest be a long lasting, affordable, reliable engine??
( It is going in a 20 size great planes J-3)

Ken,
It's too bad but the 4-strokers only get so cheap. I think the little ones are cool to but they sure are not cheaper. And remember you can almost double the engine size when going with a 4c compared to a 2c. Also the magnum line 4c have been good to me and club members, good luck hunting.

Hello; I have a Saito 30 and 2 OS 26's, I have a HP 29 as well but I doubt if that is one of your candidates. The OS' run well and are good on fuel, and are very quiet, not particularly fuel fussy. I have flown them down to -20 degrees and on our hottest days. The Saito seem a little more powerful, as I have one in a biplane and it powers it very well. Either of these engines would work just fine for you I'm sure. I have no complaints with either engine. I have no experience with the thunder tiger or ASP little 4-strokes, no one around here has seen one or heard one run. When I buy an engine I figure on keeping it forewver, so the purchase price is not as important as the quality of manufacture and parts back-up. Both engines will idle right down and purr along happily. The HP 29 I have has a sleeve valve and no rockers, It idles over 2500rpm and even though it runs well it is heavier and won't idle down low enough that the plane will sit on the runway without moving. Many other flyers at our field use the Os 26 but I haven't seen one of those new OS 30's yet, so I can't comment on that one either. I checked out OS' web page and they have a 26 surpass that they sell to the car guys that turns 22,000 rp
m, I can't imagine that but, would like tyo see that.
I would prefer the Saito myself, as I think it looks better, and I have lots of experience with other Saito engines and have come to trust them.

Hello Ken!

I had my first flight with my Great Planes J-3 Cub .20 with an ASP FS30AR (same engine as the Magnum XL-30RFS, same factory, same people) on it last week. The engine has had about 12-15 tanks of fuel through it now, and it is getting better and better. I also own an OS FS-52S. These two engines are the only four stroke engines I have experience with, so I don't have the largest statistic material, but so far the ASP (Magnum) seems to be just as good as the OS. It holds carb settings well, holds a low idle and has plenty power for scale flight with the Cub. It took a little longer than the OS to break in, and it is still getting better every flight.

I like the .20 Cub / ASP FS30AR combo.

-Tore.

The Magnum 52/61 rock! They are great running little engines and are a fine value, on sale you can pick one up for less than $120. The Magnum 30 I don't believe is such a great deal, I understand the carburetors are garbage.

Johnybravo[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

I've had excellent service so far with my Magnum 4 stroke. This is also my first four stroke but it's been a pleasure so far. Flawless operation. I've heard excellent reports from their service dept. as well.

It"s the same over here...more and more flyers are using Magnum...reliable,....and value for money,...OS are good,...but at the prices,....I fell ripped off,....do put an OS plug in it though!!!

Cliff

I have both the Magnum and the Saito 30's, get the Saito, the Magnum for $30 less won't fly itself out of a wet paper bag. It runs and sarts fine, just very low on power compared to the Saito. The little four strokers are great, really quiet and lots of torque. I've never tried the small OS.

I'll have to dissagree with freebird, the Magnums I've used have all been very close to the Satoes and OS's in power and performance, a great buy, especially for the newcommer. Just remember that you can not put afterrun oil down the carb on a four stroke and expect it to help. You must inject it into the crankcase thru the breather tube, at least a teaspoon full then rotate the prop with the engine pointed down to flood the front bearing with the after run oil. If you want an economical source of after run oil, ust ATF or Rislone (in the yellow can), as good as any of the high priced after run oils. You can also use any air tool oil. Some people us Marvel Mystry oil but that is not the best choice as it has little or no water protection. Marvel Mystry Air Tool oil is okay. Do not use WD40 or light weight oils such as sewing machine oil.

The Magnums are OK, but the carbs stink and are not very adjustable. This is true of both two and four strokes. If they paid attention to the carbs, they would have real winners as power out put is right up there with the best. BUY AN ENYA, THEY ARE THE BEST!!! O.S.= Overrated S**t.
Max

I've never had any problems with Magnum or ASP carbs (They appear to be the same thing). In fact, the 91/108 carbs are regularly used as a substitute for the big Supertiger engines as a cheaper alternative to OS-7D carbs being widely used for the same purpose.
That's my experience with them anyway.

Magnum XL-__RFS, ASP FS__AR Series 3 and SC FS-__ are all the exact same engines. These are said to be better than older versions, particularly the carbs.

Some of the new engines have had air leaks and other problems. This might tell us that the quality of these engines still isn't good enough. But reminding you of OS's peeling liners should be enough to ...

-Tore.