bwillhite

My Feedback: (3)

I am starting to build a Dynaflite Chipmunk and I am stuck on what engine to use.

I was ready to put a Ryobi 31cc conversion on it from Jag Engines with the electronic ignition, but then I found the RCS line of engines. Also I have been kicking around the idea of staying with a glow engine. I am worried about storing a gasser in my basement.

Any thoughts on how the following engines would fly the Chipmunk? It has a 89" WS and will be around 16lbs RTF.

Ryobi 31cc
RCS 180
RCS 140
Saito120
Saito159

Thanks is advance. I need to get the engine picked out so I can start the Chipmunk!!!

bwillhite

NM2K

My Feedback: (14)

I am not familiar with the Dynaflyte Chipmunk, but just by looking at the numbers you listed, I think either of the engines you mentioned might be a bit anemic. I'm not talking about 3D flying either.

A ZDZ 40 is within reaching distance (price wise) of a Saito 1.50, should you have to purchase the Saito. You will get your money back in no time just in fuel savings.

Storing the model in the basement is not a problem if you plug the fuel lines before taking it into the house, preventing gasoline/ vapor from escaping the fuel tank. The same should be done with a glow model too.

lynngordon

I definitely have to agree with Ed Any of the engines you list are not enough power for a 16lb chipmunk for "Sporting" performance.

I also would vote for a gas engine. The ZDZ 40 is a good choice, but so are the Brison 2.4, the Fox 2.4 and the FPE 2.4 for this plane. If you buy the engine with muffler, all 4 are within a few dollars of each other.

bwillhite

My Feedback: (3)

I am looking for nice scale performace. Loops, rolls and hammerheads is all the plane needs to be able to do. The specs for engines for kit are 1.08 to 1.40 2-cycle, 1.20 to 1.80 4-cycle and 25cc gas.

I am building the plane light, MonoKote - no fiberglass. So maybe the weight will be around 15lbs.

I am leaning toward the Ryobi with C&H Ignition, should weigh about the same as a ZDZ 40.

Would the Ryobi fly the airplane as I have described?

Thanks again

bwillhite

pogo3033

My Feedback: (5)

I have a Goldberg Suhkoi and I had a YS120 on it which flew it really nice but wasn't enough for very much vertical. I installed a Ryobi 31cc with C&H ignition and it was worse that the YS120. My Suhkoi only weighed 13lbs so I think you will be in trouble on a 16lb plane, might get off the ground but don't think it would fly very good. If you like to tinker there have been some conversions of the Poulan 46cc I think, so if you search this site for Poulan, might give you some ideas.

windsurfer

My Feedback: (37)

My choice would be Brison 2.4 (even 3.2) or Moki 1.8 (if light) or Moki 2.1 (if heavy). Hope this helps.

Daryl Martel

My Feedback: (3)

I had a Ryobi 31 in a Lanier Stinger 120 - it was actually scratch built with a wood wing and other mods but for all intensive purposes it was basically a Stinger 120 and weighed around 16 Lbs RTF. With the Ryobi installed it was pretty anemic - you could get it off the ground and around the patch but that's about it. it's a nice smooth running engine, even relatively light but low on power. Most of them (as you might have read right here on RCU) don't have much compression and coupled with the weak spark you get at hand cranking speeds they're not easy to hand start either.

I'd be seriously looking at a 1.4 or larger 2 stroke, a big 4 stroke 1.50/1.80 or a light strong gas engine if I were you. I took the Ryobi out of my Stinger and installed a S.T. 3250 - it went from anemic to "oh my God!" performance - there just isn't a substitute for cubic inches :^) Now an O.S. 1.60 would be "just right" for that project...