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Engine basics => Engine set up tips => Topic started by: Dick Fowler on July 31, 2006, 11:02:46 AM
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It seems that the Saito .40 is no longer being sold here in the US. I can't find anyone who lists them on their websites. Are they gone or am I not looking in the right place?
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Dick - I have been told by quite a few people that they will no longer be imported. Not sure if they're actually discontinued from production or just not coming here.
I would suggest asking Horizon Hobbies - as far as I know, they still import SAITO.
Bob Z.
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Aloha Dick,
The Saito 40A is no longer imported into the USA, it is however, still manufactured in Japan. I have recently seen a few on Ebay for sale by individual owners and on-line hobby stores. If you are unable get them that way, perhaps Kaz Minato in Japan can get one for you?
Best regards, Mike Wada
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The Saito 40A is no longer imported into the USA
My God, Dirty Dan strikes again!
Brett
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Two weeks ago Debbies Hobbies on EBAY had one j1 Ron.
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Thanks guys, I have one and thought a backup might be in order. This would lead me to another question.
How does the Surpass .40 compare to the Saito .40 ? In fact, how do all the other .40 size FS engines compare in general. I've only owned the Saito engines and they are well made and well behaved.
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I have both, but haven't run the OS 40 Surpass in a while (since I replaced the bearings). The OS is quite a bit heavier than the Saito, which is the only thing I can say any certainty.
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There are/have been quite a few 4 stroke .40s made in the last 25 or so years. Here is an approximate chronological order:
The earliest that I know of is the ENYA .40 open rocker - quite powerful but heavy. Equivalent to an FP .40 but much heavier.
Then they made a closed rocker version - rare, as it was imported in very small numbers - I have no experience with it.
Original SAITO .40 - about the same size as the .50 - a nice smooth engine but power-to-weight leaves something to be desired. Makes about the power of a good Fox .35 at twice the weight!
OS non-surpass .40: a wonderful, user friendly smooth, powerful and economical engine. If you enjoy sport and occasional competition flying, this may be the only engine you'll ever need. Put one on a profile Cardinal and you might just realize the perfect engine/plane combination for just about everything. The engine is so well set up and balanced that it will probably never wear out. Perfect fuel draw, no muffler needed, 11-7 prop, two ounces of fuel for the pattern. I have NEVER had an engine that runs more uniformly. They usually go for peanuts at flea markets. I would estimate that it makes the power of an FP .40.
(I can't remember the details but a while back I sold one to a gent in St. Louis - as I recall, he was told by a self-declared expert that he bought the wrong engine. I hope he reads this and realizes that he has a real gem of an engine.)
Surpass .40 - unbelievable power. Nasty, as it hates props and lets you know by constantly throwing them at you - I make special prop washers for this beast and they do the job. I have one on my 59 ounce Euclid II and it about pulls my arm off. Fortunately, an extra head gasket tames it nicely. One of the more thirsty 4 stroke engines. Some of the early ones suffered from improperly hardened exhaust valve which are fortunately very easy to replace. Probably makes the power of an ST .46.
SAITO .40A - a real sweetheart of an engine that has actually replaced some piped .40s with great results. A tad bigger than the .30.
Regarding weight, I'm not positive but I believe it's close to that of the Surpass .40. I will check as soon as possible. Powerwise, it approaches that of the Surpass .40 but not quite up to it.
This is all based on my experience - I hope it helps.
Bob Z.
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Thanks Alan and Bob. Bob I remember flying (or rather trying to fly) your Max powered Cardinal. I recall the handle was not quite right for me but the thing absolutely pulled the Cardinal like a tractor and ran perfectly.
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Bob: I recently picked up a NIB FA-45 have you had any experience with these? I would like to use it but what size plane would be good? Thanks
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Hi, Leester - I think the FA-45 resulted when the .40 didn't quite have the required power output, so SAITO bored it out (I surmised this - I may be wrong).
However, I flew mine on a large profile and it worked very well - much better than the FA-40. It's a tad heavy but on something like an ARF Cardinal, you'll find it most enjoyable. Plan to shorten the nose a bit.
Like most of the SAITO engines of that era, it is very smooth, economical and user-friendly.
Hope this helps.
Bob Z.