Hi Guys,

I am planning to enter the USRA Sundowner events this season. I just acquired one that was flown with a Saito 1.80 in it. You can use up to a Mak 2.10 in htis class. I have a Saito 1.80 and a Super Tigre 2300 that I could use for it without having to buy something else. Which of these two engines do you think would be faster in this plane.

Thanks, Terry

There are others with a lot more knowledge on this than me, But I was in Ohio Last year and all but a few were running the Mark or Moki 2.10, I have one that I had a few flights on before I let it get too slow and tip stall on me, but I think it will repair. There is a write up this month (feb) in both Model Aviation and R C Report on the Sundowners. Some are using the YS 1.7 but it is pricy and I didn't see if they were any faster than the Moki.

Jim

Hi Jim,

Thanks for responding. I know most folks are running the Mark 2.10. Problem is, I don't own one. I do own the Saito and the Super Tigre. I have never run the Super Tigre, it is still in the box. I bought it for an Ultimate that I never got around to building. That is the purpose of this thread. I'm hoping someone has experience with all three and can give me an idea or how they compare.

Thanks, Terry

Terry,

I have flown the Sundowner with both the Saito 1.80 and the Moki 2.1. The plane flies "lighter" with the Saito, but it is noticeably faster with the Moki. I have owned a couple of the Super Tigre's and even though I have not flown the Sundowner with a ST, I would guess that it and the Saito would give you about the same results speed wise. However, the ST is a heavy engine and can sometimes be a real be-yatch to get and keep running. It depends on what you are looking for, if you want the most speed, the Moki is the way to go. We saw a few Sundowners in El Mirage with the YS on them and I really can't say if they were any faster than the Moki. I know the mortality rate with the YS was a little high, but I think a Moki that is tuned properly was as fast or even a little faster than the YS was.

T.

Another thing to consider Terry. Sell the Saito and buy the Moki/Mark. The Saito has a pretty high resale value. You can probably get enough out of the Saito to almost pay for a new 2.1.

Thanks T,

Actually, the ST and the Saito are the same weight, 31oz. The Moki is 45oz.

I'm going to go ahead and try the ST and see how it does. If it is just too slow I will buy a Mark. I mounted the ST today and it is a good fit with a Pitts muffler. I will probably need a pump to make it run properly with the low sitting tank but we shall see. I'll keep you posted.

Blessings, Terry

here is an Idea, sell both engines and the airplane. then use the money to by a GT80 and fly in the GT class. You will have a much better experiance and will have something you can grow into...


Bobby

Hey Bobby,

That would probably be a good idea for someone else but not me. I'm really not that interested in the Giant scale racing. I'm hooked on our RCPRO warbird racing. I'm just doing the Sundowner because I got a really good price on it and want to try it out. We are planning to have a GS Sundowner event at our field in June. Depending on how well I like it, I may venture into the GS stuff later.

I ran a couple of tanks through the G 2300 today and it feels strong. I hope to get a chance to fly it soon.

Blessings, Terry

Still,

I'm on my 3rd Sundowner 80. My first had a Saito180, my second a 35GT Evolution gasser, and my third is a Moki210.

BUY THE MOKI!!

OMG this plane comes to life with that engine. Get your CG at least a half inch further forward than what the manual calls for. The cowl cheeks add lift and its not accounted for. The plane will snap on you hard if you get aggressive on the elevator if it is at all tail heavy.

Here's mine:

1st attempt: Saito 180. My fault didn't set the throws properly and I just screwed up in flight. (probably not enough experience either)



2nd attempt: Evo35GT. WHAT A TANK. This thing had the glide slope of a rock. She snapped due to CG (looong thread written about this problem by someone else)



Latest effort: Moki210. Totally different airplane and a WHOOT to fly. GET IT.

The third one looks great with the blue trim that you added.

Guys I came to the same conclusion. The Mark2.1 and the right C/G it's a different model. The Evo 35 was a struggle all the way with little reward and the ones with the Saito just did not seem to have the power. The Moki, or Mark, is the perfect motor for this plane. I tried flying it at my home fields and ran out of sky pretty quick. We have a pretty good size field.
If you want to join the Sundowner racing crowd within the USRA this combo works very well.
Tom

I've flown mine with the 2300. If flies it well but not fast enough to race. They set the date for the fall USRA race for the same weekend as the fall RCPRO Phoenix race so I won't be racing the Sundowner this year anyway. We talked about having a Sundowner race at our field in June or July but so far it has just been talk. We'll see.

Blessings, Terry

Hey Terry,

Where can I find out about the RCPro race that you mention in the fall in Phoenix?

T.

You can ask here or send me an email. My email is my screen name at yahoo.com. We have 7 races left this year so plenty of opportunity to make one.

Blessings, Terry