I have a 1/4 clipped cub and a set of sig floats for it. I bought it 12 years ago but was out of the hobby for many years. Got back into the hobby and now the cub is to the stage where I need to decide on an engine. I have pondered the Fuji 32a and the 1.60 FX. I'm leaning towards the 1.60 since it's much lighter and there are several other planes I would like to build for it once the Cub expiry date comes along. My friend tells me I will likely be adding nose weight with a glow and therefore should put the extra weight to use and buy the Fuji. In reading other forums it seems the power to weight ratio doesn't really pay with gas until you get to at least a 50cc. I'm not big on 4-strokes so it's either gas or 2C glow. Any suggestions?

I just built one with an OS 160 Twin. I know you don't want 4-stroke, but this engine/airframe combination is ideal.

Mine has a Saito 150 which provides ample power. Of the 2 engines mentioned, I'd go w/ the OS 160. I have one in a 1/4 scale Giles and can tell you it's a great running engine.

LuvBipes and MinnFlyer; Thanks for the replies, just checked the weight of the engines you guys used. Saito 150 is almost identical to the 1.60 FX and the OS 160 twin is only 6.2 oz heavier. How did these engines balance out? Did you have to add any weight or were you able to get the CG right by just moving the radio gear around to suit? I don't really have anything against 4 strokers, just a little intimidated by all those extra moving parts in them. I love the simplicity of a 2 stroke, so far if I put one into the dirt I've had success pulling them apart, clean them up and away they go again. BillyVan

With the Saito 150 I had to use a brass "heavy spinner hub" and place the battery all the way forward, up against the firewall under the fuel tank, to get it to balance. Didn't have to add any weight though.

If you're more comfortable w/ 2-strokes, by all means get the OS. Mount it inverted and use an inverted pitts-style muffler for a clean set-up. After experimenting w/ several props, I've found the APC 18X8 gives the best overall performance on the OS 160.

For a full review I wrote a while back on the Sig clipped wing Cub, go to: http://webpages.charter.net/rcfu/Kit.../SigCWCub.html

Great finishing touches on touches on the cub LoveBipes. Looks some extra work put into some detail around the cabin windows. Your engine weighs the same as the 1.60 FX so this sounds like a good choice, it won't have that scale like sound like your Saito but will definitely have some power, maybe too much, or is there such a thing. I also picked up some tips in your article that I can still apply mine as it is not completed yet. I have scratch built a few birds so I haven't found the cub to bad to build. After seeing those pics of yours makes me want to get mine done. The bad news is everything is packed away right now as I'm about a month away from moving into my new house. The good news is its on 80 acres of land where I will soon have my own private runway to fly on. Thanks again for the tips.

Yeah, I kind'a had a love/hate relationship w/ the Sig Cub until it was done. Now it's one of my favorite planes. It has about 100 flights on it and has proven top be very sturdy and reliable. It does a very pretty flat spin at full power and full opposite aileron once in the spin. It stops rotation within 1/2 turn by neutralizing ailerons/elevator and reversing rudder.

An interesting thing is that using standard servos (one for each control surface, except rudder) has proven adequate. I fly mainly IMAC/Pattern type planes, so usually push the Cub around quite aggressively, yet the standard servos have been up to the job.

Here are a couple more pics to keep your juices flowing.....

I have one same collor scheme Luvbipes. Mine is almost 20 years old an flies now with YS 120 AC with APC 17X6. Combo is perfect. CG O.K. an really makes pretty flat spins!
Perform all patterns maneuvers and lands like trainer.
The OS 160 FX is a power house and must beef up firewall.
Nice plane!!

Paulo

I didn't have to beef up the firewall for the 160 at all. and It flies with standard servos also.

A Saito 150 would also be ideal.

But to me, a Cub really NEEDS that nice throaty 4-stroke sound!

Besides, a 2-stroke of that size would eat you alive in fuel cost, and make one helluva mess on the side of the plane!

Minn, I just checked out that engine you described in your first post in this thread. That engine costs ALMOST as much as my car haha.

A 90 4 cycle would fly this fine. I used a 1.20 4 stroke on mine and it was very aerobatic with that. I seen many of them fly well on a 60 2 stroke as well.

But will the engine in your car power a Cub?

I also have this kit and intended to use a Saito 130 twin. I already have the 130 twin but thought this might not be powerful enough. I was tempted to get an O.S. 160 twin. What do the experts here think. Is the 130 twin enough engine for the clipped wing?

Rick

Well I'm sure it'll get off the ground, but as far as acrobatics are concerned, you may want to go with the OS 160 Twin.

Well there is one thing I've noticed here so far, no one has suggested the Fuji 32a or any other gas engine for that matter. I have full intentions of getting into gas engines some day, just wasn't sure if this was the right kit to be the first one. Still leaning on the OS 1.60 FX.

Great looking clipped wing LuvBipes, I really like Hazel's color scheme compared to the boring cub yellow. I hope mine turns out as nice as yours.

I see no reason why this wouldn't make a great first gasser.

MinnFlyer
After doing more research here on RC universe and then some comments I heard today regarding Fuji Engines, it seems they may not be the best in quality. I've yet to see one at our field but they are fairly new. There are several Zenoah's around which are reasonably priced. I see the Brison 2.4 is lighter than the Fuji 32 or the G26. I heard today that one guy in our club has one in his Sig Cub, must check it out before making a decision. You mentioned the crappy fuel economy of a 1.60 FX, on Saito's website it says a 1.80 4 stroke will drain a 16 oz tank in about 9 minutes, how's your OS 1.60 on fuel? Just curious!

I have both Saitos 150 and 180 as well as the OS 160Fx that I fly very hard in aerobatic planes. Billy, trust me the OS160 is more economical than EITHER of the big Saitos. Plus, it'll run well on 5 or 10% nitro whereas the Saitos require 15% or more nitro to run/idle well.
In the real world, you need a 24oz tank for the Saito 180, unless, of course, you plan on put-putting around the patch at 1/3 throttle all day. If that's the case, go with a 120 4-stroke and save the money on the engine and fuel.

Well thats interesting! A 1.60 2 stroke burning less fuel than a 150 4 stroke, I thought they were supposed to be better on fuel, apparently not always the case!

Rick, I have a friend that has been flying his for 15 years with an old OS 120FS twin. Not the fastest thing around, but it is fairly acrobatic. The much newer Saito should do very well in this plane.

I too have recently bought this kit and will build it this coming winter. I have ordered an MVVS 1.6 gas engine for it and anticipate having plenty of power.

Found the MVVS on the internet, doesn't sound like it's available in Canada or the US though. I guess we have plenty of other choices though. Have fun with the Cub kit!