Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

Why doesn't anyone use these in there pattern ships? The specs seem very good and the price is right, so why "no love"?

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

Not expensive enough.

You just can't join the pattern crowd unless you can lay out big bucks for a YS.

(Something tell me I'm gonna hear about this comment )

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

It's pumped and rear exhaust, I don't see the problem.

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

where can you buy one???

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

According to a guy in the engine forum, Quantum Models.http://www2.mailordercentral.com/quantummodels/

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

Just check the site, and they are $199.00.

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

I'll speculate;
1. Weight - it is quite a lot heavier than more powerful competitors' engines
2. Power - rated at 3.7 at 15K rpm. That is really quite LOW considering where we need the torque to be. Check ratings of the OS 1.40RX for comparison
3. Reliability - Sometimes things don't get tried in pattern because of "bad history". I've observed 4 examples of TT engines, 4C, and 2C, and each has had significant carburetion problems, to the extent that folks have literally sent them back. Carburetor troubles are bad karma in pattern; just look at the history with the ST2300. By the time they took care of the carb issues, the "test environment" already had it's bad taste in the mouth.

Personally, as one who tries all sorts of bizarre, radical stuff in pattern, I'd love to see what one of these would do; however, the newest ST2300's are $159 and the carbs ARE 100% reliable, add a pump, still under the $200 for the TT, and more torque in the power band we need. Then, the OS 1.60 is *right now* $249. It is in pretty wide use for a "non-pattern" motor, and has all the power and typical OS reliability/carburetion you'd expect.

Hope my opinions provoke some discussion.

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

According to the ace hobby sight they weigh 27.5 oz. and in the engine forum they were tac'd at some pretty good rpm's swinging what I would call pattern props. I don't know because I haven't even seen one but for $199 I might try one.

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

tlh - IF that weight, it could be a real viable option! Please keep us posted if you decide to do one...I'd be interested in rpm figures on APC 17 x 12N, or 10N....both of those should be good props to try!

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

APC 16x10 - 8500
APC 16x12 - 8300
APC 16x13N - 8000
APC 16x14 - 7600
APC 17x12N - 7500
These are the numbers from the other post. From reading the whole post I don't think they had the pipe the correct length. Another guy said he got better numbers but they aren't posted. So it may be worth a shot.

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

I have one in a G Trick, I fly it all the time.

It has plenty of power, but it doesn't idle down worth a crap. The transition is smooth and fine, but it just won't idle low enough to make me happy with it.

It's not competetive with the OS or any 140+. For a 120 sized plane, it would be ideal. IF you could work out the idle.

But it's simply not enough engine for the larger wide body 2 M planes. And it weighs about the same as an OS, Webra or Mintor 170.

When I got mine, the pump was inoperable and I had to send it back. In thier defense, the service was great. But I simply wouldn't use it as a primary power package in a serious competetive setup.


And it won't spin a 17" prop without burning up. It needs to be propped like a YS 1.20.

-Mike

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

thanks, Mike. That tells me about all I need to know.

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

I have one on my Zen 120. Perfect match for this plane. I have been happy with it... it likes a long and proper break in. I'm running an APC 16-11 at 8,300 - 8,400 RPM. MY idle yesterday was at 2,220 RPM per my Futaba 9Z. I'm using the TT header and pipe. The pipe appears to be like a Mac's quiet pipe.

I paid $175 for the engine at Quantum but sometimes it can be had for cheaper.

I weighed it and compared to an OS 140 it was a few grams lighter. The weighings were within seconds of each other, on the same scale.

That has been my experience so far (3 outings or 9 flights with the TT 120 in the Zen).

- Scott

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

2200 RPM idle is a little too fast for me. I'm used to getting an OS 140 around 1200 :D

Mine idles at about 2250 or so. Anything less and it dies.

-Mike

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

I bit on the price and tried one. What an example of you get what you pay for. Different day, different run. Exhaust system that came with the engine weighed 12oz.

Todd

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

I know mine could idle lower but I kept it there because it's still a relatively new engine. Let me test it it next time out as I take the idle trim down. Sure it may not hit 1400 but I bet it can do around 1800 or so.

I'm not happy with the weight of the exhaust system, either. But right now the plane can't tell its on there (unlimited vertical).

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

What does the Zen weigh?

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

Don't have a weight, yet. Will post when I get one. I got this plane because it's the largest pattern ship that could fit in my cars. I have a Focus I but there's no way I can get it to the field. Very happy with the Zen to date. Pretty neutral plane - only a little pitch down coupling with rudder input in level flight.

The only things I did to lighten it were: remove retracts and install Bolly CF gear and fiberglass pants, TT spinner with light backplate.

I also meant to add that the transition is smooth and it doesn't jump on the pipe.

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

Nice looking plane. Was that pic taken in lovely east Atl?

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

I guess you can say East Atlanta... but not Atlanta RC.

I fly at the Old Stone Mountain airport - Stone Mountain RC Flyers

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

Oh OK I know where that is also. Good luck with the Zen.

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

I have read that few years ago the Turkish used this in a G-trick on european or even world championship!!!

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

If that in fact happened, I would guess the T.T. sent a factory rep. along with the motors to get them running as well as possible. They couldn't afford to have a whole team flameing out at a major contest.

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

hmmm, maybe I should try it in my G-Trick?! :)

So far, no deadsticks for me with the TT 120 (knock on wood) Using an OS-F plug.

RE: Thunder Tiger 120 Pro question.
 

I flew a TT1.20R on a 1.20 size finesse for a year or so. Used a MAC pipe and a 15-13 prop. Flew well, idled well, never any problem. The only issue I had was that combination was a Rocket. Speed control was difficult for me. Don't know why. The engine displaces almost 1.3 cubic inches.