Webra .50 Alternative
 

Hello everyone,
I'm considering a Webra .50 for a 3D model that will weigh at or near 4lbs, but at ~$130, I wonder if I can find an engine almost as good for a lot less money. What about the Raptor .46? Any other makes/models in the .46-.50 class? Also, I've read that the Webra muffler doesn't work so well, and quiet power is preferred. Thanks in advance.

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

magnum asp/sc 52s for sure!!!!!!!

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

West 50 is a Webra 50 that ODed on power pills. not much more $ but MUCH more ooooh la la

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

Webra is good. If you're looking for best buy go with the Tigershark as they provide good performance at a low price.They are at www.kangkeusa.com. For $74.00 they cannot be beat. My preference would be the MVVS .49. More parts availability and one hell of a powerhouse. Forget a four stroke for 3D

Max

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

ooh like those... but.. heavy

OS50 is very popular around here for 50 size 3D'ers

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

The trouble with all those other engines is that they are not Webras, you just can't beat a Webra.

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

Maybe you are right, but it sounds like this guy wants to cheap out and save bucks!

Max

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

you can, you can beat it to death with a West, it's a Webra with diffrent porting and cooling fins
T1 is low end grunt, tho it doesn't rev like you would expect a normal engine to, once it gets to about 14k its given all the power it has. use the right prop
the V1 has it's power band at 20-21K
the T1 on a 12.25x3.75, 13x4 or 13x4W is perfect. 4 lbs is about where the Hype 3D is and it's the engine made for it.

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

Philly, Where do you get those? I never pass up a new and different European engine.

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

modelbaul import them i believe.

think i got the name right, one day i will..

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

TT .46 Pro, you can't beat it for $80.00 bang for the buck...I have the Magnum .52 too, but I don't think it'll last as long as the TT IMO...My Magic Extra has outa sight vertical w/ the TT and a mod. stock muffler, and APC 12.25X3.75 prop.

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

Philly

How about a link

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

if i can't even get the name right everytime, and i never use them as i'm in the UK a link isn't gonna be easy from me lol :D
i can give you Weston www.westonuk.co.uk and if i had to guess... www.modelbaul.com ?

it's not a buget engine tho, esp as that price isn't with the pipe.
i'm not sure what my second choice 50 size engine would be tho if i wanted cheaper than the OS

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

So it sounds like, not surprisingly, you get what you pay for. Will the Webra .50 last? Is it delicate? Although I obviously don't plan on burying the engine in the dirt, I'm definitely not the world's best pilot, so these issues matter a great deal to me. What I have noticed in higher end products, in general, is that the value decreases (sometimes significantly). I'm not afraid to spend the money for the Webra, but I'd like to think that I would get some serious life out of it (for example, racing tires on a car sure look cool and perform well, but they don't last very long). Has anyone rebuilt one of these things? Thanks for the input.

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

I have a .91 that is 11 years old and very tough, the 50 is only about four years old but runs great. They have excellent metallurgy and precision machining.

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

surprize, surprize. High end engines lose their monetary value quickly after purchase! Same deal goes for cars! I wouldn't trade my Audi TT for anything, though. Only an idiot would buy an engine for resale value. If you are that cheap get out of the hobby and go play golf or some other assinine time waster. R/C ain't cheap. The Webra will last easily as long as any other engine!

Max

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

Whoa, easy there, max. I'm anything but cheap- if you read my post, it says that I'll spend the money if the engine is worth it. I just prefer to do a bit of research before I drop the cash. Back 15 yrs or so ago, when I was really into RC, I had poured quite a bit of money into the sport and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I've been out since then, and I'm trying to find out how much technology has advanced the hobby (hence, my posts). Currently, I'm burning through a fair amount of dough keeping my old, junky trainer airborne to try to knock the rust off. So, brother, I'd appreciate a little leeway. This is supposed to be about fun, and getting toasted by flames is anything but. Take it easy.

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

Phillybaby,

DR is looking for a LESS COSTLY alternative to a Webra .50.
Your suggestions of the West Eurotech and the OS.50SX are disregarding this exact problem, being still (much) more expensive.

As Adrian suggested, at $100, the Magnum/SC/ASP/SY .52GLS is a good possibility.

I believe the Tiger Shark is not as powerful as the above and much heavier than the Webra.
It is cheaper, though, as is the TT that is not in the same power league.

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

cheap when you buy it yes, but look at it this way...

if you use the engine to it's max performance which i hope he will coz it's a 3D funfly, the Magnum/ASP/SC will give about two years max, my 36's in the same range all gave out after 10 months, the ASP's bearings exploded after 10 flights! now i realise the 50 sizes are a bit stronger, but they are still cheap in my mind...
now, next step the Irvine 53, it's not as good as you would think, i've not seen an impressive one here yet, but it will last longer, my Irvine 36 lasted 2 1/2 VERY! hard years
up again to the OS, Webra, West, they cost more, but they give more and will last longer.

so, you have to do some sums...

$-lifespan+power

it's worth paying that bit more for the OS and Webras and get at least double the life with lot more grunt than the cheap option.


however, as his AUW is going to be 4lbs, i'd be looking at good 36-37's on a pipe. keep the weight even lower.

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

I had a Webra GT .50 in my Sig Somethin' Extra. It was wonderful!
I swiched it out for a GMS .47 and didn't loose anything!

Personally, I think the GMS .47 is one of the best buys out there.

Wiz

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

The TT 46 May not be in the same league power-wise as the Webra 50 but I'd put it up against a Tigershark 46 any day of the week and twice on Sunday! the power, quality and finish of the TT is on a par with OS and is much better than any TS I've seen and mine is 5+ years old-starts easy every time and has never given me a single problem. There's people out there that spend big bucks on engines and if that's what they want to do, more power to 'em-but nobody- especially someone who is back after years away from the hobby should be led to believe that they have to spend a lot of money on an engine, airplane...etc. to get back into it. It's silly to think and ridiculous to say that Button couldn't hover his plane on anything less than a $150 motor-I see guys doing it every weekend, So how about showing a little restraint and not flaming the guy for not wanting to spend any more than he has to?

Button
TT 46 $77 Quantummodels.com--------------great motor, great value
TS 46 $75-Kangkeusa.com-------------------decent motor, good value
Tower 46 $80-Towerhobbies.com-------------good motor, good value
GMS 47 $80 ($20 off w/trade-in)-Mecoa.com--good motor, great value (w/trade-in)
Magnum 46 $90-Hobbypeople.net-------------good motor, decent value
MVVS 45 $95-Quantummodels.com------------great motor, good value

Any one of these engines will be more than enough for what you want-and won't break the bank
Have fun Button, because that IS what it's about--Windwalker

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

i'd take a £50 Leo 37SF over a £63 Magnum /SC/ASP ( £53 ) 36 mk2, TT 36 £62, Irvine 39 £76

the TT and Irvine will easly outlast the Leo, the others come close, but it wins on over all grunt for it's shorter life. it really embarases the Irvine 39

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

Hobbsy - you can get the weston at Hobby Lobby International, but you have to by that silly little ARF racer with it.

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

Thanks for the great discussion, guys. That's what I needed. I certainly feel much better equipped to make the right decision now, and although I may wind up just buying the Webra, I certainly have a lot to consider. Anyone else out there who has something to add, please feel free to do so. I'm always open to suggestion. Thanks again.

Oh, one last thing...are pipes a good idea for a 3D? I've read "no," but wondered if anyone disagrees. Thanks.

RE: Webra .50 Alternative
 

With a 4 pound AUW go with the webra. I finally stepped up and bought one of these fine german engines. And this is when they costed $149 dollars. Now that they are $129 I have to say why not. Webras are great engines that last pretty well when treated correctly. Also a complete ABN set for rebuild is only 57.00 at Horizon Hobby. One thing you will notice when trying to do 3D is that instant throttle response is a must. The .46 size engines just did not have the quick throttle response with the large funfly props like the 50 size does. I have my Webra 50 on a Morris TopCap ARF in the 4 pound range and this combo makes for a great flyer with unlimited capability. Also avoid using a tuned pipe for 3D style flying. You want to use the torque of the engine instead for small corrections. Mufflers like the Ultrathrust and Tower Muffler are ok though.