mxaexm

I need an engine for my newest build, Sig Mid Star, and I'm thinking of OS 40 LA, is this engine any good. How would you compare it to ST40 or TT 46 or OS 40FP?

Thanks

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

The LA series of engines are outstanding. They just don't produce the same power as the better engines but you will never notice it. I just pulled an LA 40 out of A Mid Star and installed an LA .46, that is A much better choice. The .40 was A bit under powered for the plane and the .46 is just about perfect. LAs are very user friendly and trouble free.

JRFisher

I have 2 of them and they are troouble free.

I broke the backing plate on one of them and it gave me fits until I found the problem but its running fine again.

I have one on a SIG Fazer with a 10.5-5 Bolley on it and another on a Taco with an 11-4 APC on it. Both move the planes smartly.

mclina

I fly a .46LA on my Four Star 40 and I love it. I would think that the .40LA would make your Mid Star a bit underpowered, at least by most folks standards. The .46 is the same engine, just bored out for more power at the same weight. This is why they stopped selling the .40LA. It is a great, reliable engine, and would be great in a trainer, but it probably won't give you the sport performance you would be looking for.

Of the other engines you list, the ST40 is probably the best bang for the buck. The last one I bought was $49.99. And the TT46 is probably the best performer of the bunch. I haven't used one, but I hear they are as good as OS engines. I am not familiar with the FP series.

Good luck.

carrellh

The LA series of engines replaced the FP series. From what I've seen posted on RCU the 40LA & 40FP have similar performance.

I do not know about the ST40, but the TT46Pro is a more powerful engine than the 40LA. It is also heavier than the 40LA.

The 40LA has been discontinued. The 46LA is still in production. It is the same size externally as the 40LA, about the same weight, and more powerful. Unless you will be getting a super deal on the 40, I think you should go with the 46.

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

As has already been stated, the 40LA has been discontinued. There are some variations in the 40 over the years. Some changes to the porting mainly in elimination of the boost port and changes to the back plate and needle valve whereas the needle valve assembly is separate and merely bolted to the back plate on the last ones.

The 46LA has a very good reputation.

The Super Tiger 40 is reliable and very powerful

The Thunder Tiger PRO 46 is more powerful than any of these and is a favorite of many modelers

Red B.

Not many C/L fliers around, but the 46-LA engine is an excellent engine for C/L stunt straight out of the box.
IMHO it is as good as the venerable Fox 35 :-) for stunt flying.

mxaexm

SO MAKING LONG STORY SHORT, EITHER ST 40 OR OS 46LA WOULD BE A GOOD CHOICE FOR THE SIG MID STAR 40,RIGHT?

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

From my experience the 40LA Control Line engine has significantly more power than my Fox 35's or OS MAX S35's

carrellh

Yes.

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

yes

-pkh-

My Feedback: (2)

I've had good experience with 40 LA engines. I used one on a .25 sized plane, and one on a .40 sized trainer. The .40 LA puts out more power than a 25 FX, but less than a 32 SX, and it's weight is right in between the two, so it's a good, inexpensive engine to put some zip into a .25 sized plane. It makes for an underpowered trainer, IMO, but my son likes to just peg the throttle when I let him fly on the buddy box, so the .40 LA keeps the speed down to manageable levels for him.

For a .40 size plane, I'd go with the 46LA or even the 65LA, but then I like my planes to have a little extra power!

draftman1

the super tigre has alot more power, due to its ball bearing construction. it just takes alot longer to break in and has that big ol ugly muffler.

mxaexm

My friend has ST40 in his trainer and this engine is much more powerful than my OS 46 FX.

I will see what I will be able to get for $40-$50....

scooty

Listen, just spend $50 extra over the 46la and get yourself a nice OS 46AX. You'll lover the power, ease of setup, break in time, longevity and the reliability will be well worth the extra 50 bucks. I know they're built to higher tolerances than most engines so there's less unused fuel spitting out of the front bearing, muffler gap etc = better fuel economy. Watch out for the ST engine, if you're lucky and get a good one then Awesome! Otherwise you'll be doing a lot of troubleshooting trying to find the problematic part.

jetmech05

The 40 LA has no bearings, it uses a bushing...and sounds like someone threw a bucket of rocks in an engine....it does what it is supposed to do...trouble free...when it wears out the bushing, remove the needle valve, carb, and glow plug and throw the rest in the trash...if you can swing the bucks get the .46AX double bearings that can be replaced if required, lots of power it is a good engine for the mid star

mxaexm

hmmm...now you got me thinking! Maybe I should get something better...or take my OS 46 fx from my trainer and replace it with something cheap, since Im not planning on flying my trainer that often anyway.
I haven't started building yet so I still have some time to decide...

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

So far I haven't worn out either of my .46LAs after 8 years of use, I have worn out my little .40 though but it is still running and will drag A trainer around. It does spit out A lot of gray gunk though but has taught A lot of pilots how to fly, the .46 is just A lot better. If you have one then the FX is A much better choice. I do like the LAs better then the STs but the TTs are A very good engine. I also like the SK line of engines and started using them about A year ago but so far only the bigger engines so I know nothing about the smaller ones.

carrellh

It's that "thinking" business that gets us in trouble.

There are lots of choices in the .40-.47 range that are $80 or less. Any of them would be great for a 40 size trainer and most would be great on just about any 40 size model. I'm sure I missed some but these were easy to find at Tower, Horizon, and SIG.

If I chose a bushing engine, or a .40, I would put it on the trainer and move the 46FX to the new plane.

Any of the other choices would go on the new plane and the trainer wouldn't be touched.


Tower
Super Tigre GS-40 $59.99
Thunder Tiger GP 42 $62.99 - bushing engine, probably lighter than the 46 FX
GMS .40 $64.99
GMS .47 $69.99
Super Tigre GS-45 $74.99
Magnum XLS-46 $79.99
OS 46 LA $79.99 - bushing engine, probably lighter than the 46 FX


Horizon
Evolution Trainer Power System $79.99


SIG
Aviastar 46 $49.99
Aviastar 53 $69.99

badguy

If you want to buy something better than the LA and don't wanna spend as much as a 46 AX I would definitely recommend the Thunder Tiger .46. It has dual ballbearings like 46 AX and it's a power house.

jetmech05

don't make your trainer un flyable....there will be a use for it....either you'll teach someone ...or you just wanna puttz around in the sky kinda lazy like....you ought see the beat up ol trainer I have...

mxaexm

you are right, I'm not a big fan of "damaging" good airplane.

I will wait with my decision regarding my new project. I would like to keep it light and inexpensive....

JPMacG

My Feedback: (2)

Here is my personal experience. I have a 40LA, 8 years old, many hours, still going strong. I had a 40FX, liner peeled in about 3 years. I had a TT Pro46. The rear bearing cage came apart and banged up the piston and liner, also lasted about 3 years. I have an Enya 50SS and 50CX, each about 5 years old, both still going strong.

I'm not sure what my point is here. Just throwing this out for your consideration.