Fellows,
Our club is going to revive the old pylon races using the Global ARF 44" AT-6 or House of Balsa kit planes. The objective is to keep the equipment and performance as equal as possible, keep the expenses down and have some low key racing. Some of the guys still have planes sitting around and the engine of choice was the OS .15 FP and would like to keep using them, so am researching other engines which give about the same performance.The rules are:

Engine size- .15max, which can tach no more than 16,000 using 7x6 prop, 15% nitro, max.
Aircraft Weight- min. 2.5 lbs, dry

I am trying to find a .15 FP, but don't like the idea of running a discontinued engine ( expensive parts if even available from OS) Haven't run engines this size before, so am looking for some advice from you experts. We are looking for a user friendly unit that will take some abuse, and are considering the following:

- OS .15 LA -has fair power, but reliable and sturdy, we hear. About $55

- Magnum Xl.15 - the combat guys seem to like these, great price, now on sale for $45.Don't know if these are a new generation of magnums, or the
same ones which have been out for awhile. I have been running a XLS.52 for about a year now and am very impressed with it.

- Thunder Tiger GP.15, makes good power, fairly rugged. About $ 50

- OS.15 cvs-more expensive, hear it has great power and tunes well. Only concern is it may be too hot with a 7x6 and exceed the 16,000 limit.

- Norvel .15 revlite, more expensive, makes great power, tunes well, but same concern as the OS-cvs

Am looking for comments from those of you who are running any of the above as to how they actually perform and how they compare to the OS .15 FP

Thanks, Joe

I would think that if you went along the lines of the combat guys and with their favorite (cheaper) engine would be your best bet.

To serve the purposes for creating the club racer, decide on a cheaper readily available engine. The LA 15 would probably be the least powerful choice but if it will pull the T6 and everyone has the same engine, it would probably be OK. I would try to stay away from the expensive engines because it is a club racer and the idea is to have something cheap where everyone will participate.

Enjoy,

Jim

I'd go with the Magnum 15's....

....they really give good power, inexpensive to purchase and maintain....

....the big plus is, the parts are always in stock, and about 1/3 the cost of OS.

FBD.

Hey Dave, we're thinking the same way, just don't know much about the little Magnums. Specifically:

- How well does the throttle work? Decent midrange? Prone to leaks?

- How are the mufflers? Do they come apart as usual?

- Are these xl's being made by the same mfr. as the new XLS? Haven't been able to find any
technical info on the little Magnums, have a source?

Thanks, Joe

http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/210600.asp

I don't think the .15's have changed with the coming of the xls series.
The magnums sport ball bearings, true ABC liners, and twin needle carbs.
It's a no brainer, really....and at 45 bucks a throw....

....get you a couple, or three of them babies for racing. [sm=thumbup.gif]

FBD.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...P?&C=GCB&V=MGM

It looks like Towers every day low price is $45.00 as well....

Edit: wrong url.

I'd stay away from OS, especially the LA series.

Here's another option....

http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/211315.asp

Gary