Was reading others posts on wanting more power, and was thinking maybe it's time to upgrade the motor on my 450SE as well.

In looking around is the KV rating the same across brands, or do different ones rate differently?

I currently have the 430L 3550KV, would the 430XL 3700KV be better? And the JGF 450TH 3000KV isn't that a smaller/weaker motor? I also saw a Mega 16/15/3 motor, although I have no idea the KV or what the 16/15/3 means.

Which one will give me the most power, and be somewhat efficient.

Thanks,
Pete

I did use a Mega 16/15/3 and it did provide more power than the minimum requirements. It would JUMP when I climbed out. But it pulled a lot of current and ran hot. Flight times were less than with the stock align motor I use now (3550KV).
The Mega is in a Zagi plane now, and it screams!

I just read a great comparison about motor upgrades for the trex. it includes like 15 motors and the analysis and test are top notch. No only do they rate each motor on 3 different kinds of performance criteria, they also show how many amps the motors use and in turn, their overall efficiency. The winners are listed at the bottom, for the money, it looks like the RC Z-power/jgf 450th is the best deal. Check it out [link=http://www.trextuning.com/3s-supertest.php]here[/link]

Thanks thats a great article. I will look for more out there and see if the Align XL is any better than the 430L it replaces.

Pete

Actually the jgf450TH was not in the test. Note below.

*note: The RC-Zpower 450TH and JustGoFly 450TH are identical motors, the one in this review is an RC-Zpower 450TH. Both the RC-Zpower and JGF 450TH are identical for performance, RC-Zpower are the manufacturer of this motor and the supplier to JGF for their 450TH. Wattsuprc continue to supply this exact motor through their web site and this information is stated here as there was some confusion regarding this. This is not a clone motor or underpowered variant of the 450TH.

Nor was it first place. However as it was cheaper than the Medusa motors I can agree to it being the best value.

Fourth Place : Lehner 1020/17
Third Place : NEU 1107-2Y
Second Place : Zpower 450TH
Joint First Place : Medusa 28-40-3400 & Medusa 28-40-2500

Any one considered the 500TH, as it has received manys aproval, with a lower amp draw than a 430xl and just as much power? Isn't it prefered over the 450TH? 3380KV on 13T sounds sufficient.

looks promising

I love my JGF 450F on 11T. Loads of power. no bogging even at 11 deg pitch. works best at 2600+ headspeed.

Yeah I am currently running the Align 430L with a 13T pinion. The switch to 20C packs from 15 helped, but in stiff breezes the motor bogs frequently when I have to add in pitch to keep the heli out of the dirt. I waited weeks for a dry, still day outside, but I have given up hope. This time of year is breezy, and I don't want to park the heli in storage for a month or 2 waiting for a day with no wind.

Pete

The 430L motor is o.k. when you start out. Enough power for some 3D but as your flying skills develop, so you start demanding more from the motor. It's then the 430L starts lacking. I suppose we just outgrow the available power at some point.

Oh, as you up the headspeed the Align manual recomends lowering the pitch some. So if on a 13T pinion you experience bogging, try dialling in less pitch. might help a little

According to this the Helidirect HDX450 motor is better than the Align 430L, true?