I am looking to build a Great Planes Cessna 182 Skylane and am looking for an engine that works well with this model; however, I am on a very tight budget. The engines I am looking at are as follows:

O.S. .40 LA
O.S. .46 LA
SuperTigre GS-40
(All engines with Pitts style muffler)

I realize four stroke engines are ideal for scale models, but I am not in a financial position to purchase one. Which one of these engines (or one I have not mentioned in the same price range) will give me the most reliable, scale-like performance?

Thanks

I wouldn't go for a Super Tiger.
The LA.46 is light, simple, reliable and very adequate.
You can also think about a second hand 4 stroke... but the LA works great.

I second that suggestion. The LA .46 will serve you well.

Rich S.

This confirms what I was thinking. I tried to get my hands on a second hand .52 four stroke, but nobody at my club was in a position to sell one.

Thank you for the suggestions.

I use OS and ST but those are just not noted for power. Go with a 46ax, 46pro,St 45 (not 40).

I am looking for an engine that will give relatively scale flight for my price range and not just looking for as much power as possible. Wouldn't the .46 AX be a bit much for this Cessna?

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Do you drive your car with your accelerator pedal held steadily to the floor?

The Super Tigre GS-40 is far superior to the OS LA slag engines which use plastic parts that break continually. The LA series engines produce no serious power. Having sufficient power to recover from a bad situation is of paramount importance.

The only downsides to the GS-40 are that it takes a little bench running in order to settle in (break-in) and become civil. Also, it is not a lightweight engine.

The upsides are that it will last nearly forever, is sturdy enough to endure moderate crashes without damage (that extra weight comes in handy at times), has no plastic backplate to leak air and cause you grief, will produce a good deal more power than the LA .40 and .46 even on its worst days and will be usable in more models later on because it produces nice civilized gobs of power WHEN BROKEN-IN. I emphasize that last bit because most of the instant gratification crowd never get their Tigres broken-in sufficiently to begin showing the aforementioned positive characteristics.

Oh, and it costs less than OS's slag engines.

O.S. 46 is the way to go! I third the vote. Price, good on fuel and easy to tune up and breakin. Should pull the Cessna ok. Jeff

Is "slag" a well defined term or just a figure of speech?

I've seen it used in a few places... but can't quite get it straight.

Thanks.

Hi!
The OS LA series of engines are perfect for small scale models as they are very reliable and very lighly built.
I would choose either the. 40 or .46 LA depending of how big the model is. I would not choose a ball bearinged engie as those are heavier and are a little more expensive than the LA.
Those that say that "you can always throttle down" don't know what they are talking about ...that simple
When building a scale model outmost lightness and adequat power (Not max power)is of vital importance.

Regards!
JanK

If you want a reliable,powerful and cheap engine take a look at http://www.kangkeusa.com/Engines/skengines.htm
I have a SK .50 on my CMP Cessna 182. Just fit.Enough power.Good Center of gravity balance.And unbeatable price.

Slag is the mineral deposits that float to the top of molten iron or steel, mostly lime, excess carbon, and minerals from the ore. It is ugly and useless, so I figure he means the same for the LA series.

Unless you grew up in England.... where "slag" or more precisely "a Slag" refers to a girl that lets ANYONE enjoy the pleasures consealed within her pant's... free of charge!
Which as we know, is exactly the type of company a gentleman needs when he's away from his family!
And in a similar vain, the lovely LA isn't to picky, she'll be happy with what ever drink you put in her and she'll let you treat her a bit rough... but she'll aways, always, always deliver the goods!
On the strip or on the town.. It's EXACTY what you need.

Have you contacted Uncle Bob right there in Omaha for his selection of used engines? See http://members.cox.net/bobsengines/

Do a search on ".52" I see he has one priced at $119

Aviator...my vote is for the OS.46, but don't take my word....or anyone else's for that matter. None of us have to climb the tree to recover your airplane.

I'd suggest you visit the local flying field, and see what the guys are having good results with. Internet advice is free (and you get what you pay for) but at the end of the day you should have a fine idea of what motor you want.

Used motors are a gamble, and if you don't have the dough to get what you really want today, there's an old trick called "saving up" that always works.

Get out to the local flying field, and let living proof show you the way.

Go with the .46 LA and use a large diameter/low pitch prop. It won't be lightning fast, but it is after all, a Cessna! The pitts style muffler will make it sound a bit more realistic than a standard 2 cycle muffler.

Piper Chuck,

This is exactly what I was thinking about doing and what the most people at my club were leaning towards.

Race City,

It isn't that I don't save up, it's just that I can't justify spending $200 on an engine at my skill level. I am also only an intermediate pilot and there is a chance that someday the plane will crash. When and if it does, I don't want to loose a ridiculous amount of money. I have plenty of time left in my life for fancy and expensive engines, so I just don't want to rush into things.

Thanks to everyone who took their time to give me their advice.

I know that most of the suggestions are for OS engines, but let me suggest looking at the Evolution .45. Dual needle valves, chrome liner, and good power for the low price. You can remove the weighted flywheel and use a 11x7 type of prop with good high end RPMs. I also flew mine with 10" props.

Just because it's scale doesn't mean you have to underpower it. I agree that there are times when extra power will save your butt....

In the long run, a four stroke burns less fuel, and is cheaper. Don't rule it out unless you absolutely have to. Also, I have crashed lots of airplanes and have only rarely damaged an engine. So don't get too fussed about that.

My two bits.