It is Aluminum, Brass and Nickel.

They've moved to that with the AX series to be more environmentally friendly - Seems chroming puts out lot's of hazardous waste, nickel much less.

It won't be as durable, but does break in a bit quicker, and break-in is the same as if it were chrome.

I had about 60 gallons through an AX .55 and it was still going strong.

It is Aluminum, Brass and Nickel.

They've moved to that with the AX series to be more environmentally friendly - Seems chroming puts out lot's of hazardous waste, nickel much less.

It won't be as durable, but does break in a bit quicker, and break-in is the same as if it were chrome.

I had about 60 gallons through an AX .55 and it was still going strong.

Are you saying that this ABL is just thicker nickle plating? They make it sound like a big deal. I'm curious...and I probably have enough Magnum XLS .36's to last me the rest of my flying days.

ASP's are the same, but might be the old version. I've not seen an ASP .36 that was like the newer XLS .36, but have seen them like the old round head .36. Both are good engines, but the new one is much lighter. Actually, my profile needs more noseweight...and I'm already running an OS .46LA muffler on it. 

I went to Tower Hobby's website and looked at one or two of the OS AX engines, clicked the "Technical Info" button, and it does appear that it's just two layers of nickle, although they don't say it's nickle at all. Maybe they plate the bore and then the entire cylinder, or maybe they just double plate the whole thing. One of the things about nickle is that it's very controlled and predictable, unlike chrome. From what I understand, they don't hone the cylinder bore after plating, nor grind the cylinder OD. They may, however, produce pistons in .0001" increments to get a decent fit.  I'd still like to check out one of the AX/ABL series engines, but not enough to suffer the considerable damage to my wallet. Oh, well!  Steve

The base metal (liner) is brass and were originally thinly plated with nickel, so thin that in some engines it was almost transparent. Many complaints were received about this plating peeling off (which, the OS distributors at least, fervently denied saying it was operator error but generally fitting a new piston/liner free of charge....hmmmm). This was the ABN which was still advertised as ABC on all the boxes (another hmmmmm). Then they came up with what apparently is a plating using two different types of nickel, one on top of the other, and this became their ABL. And they still can peel.

I've heard that some of the old FSR's were true ABC but starting with the VF's they went to nickel. It's easy to tell the difference because chrome is only plated on the bore itself while nickel has to be plated all over to retain continuity or it's likely to start lifting off the surface at any break. It's a mystery why only OS has a peeling issue because other brands of high quality engines (Webra and YS for instance) use nickel and have no problems.

     I would note that as far as I can tell, there has never been a case of nickel peeling in a stunt engine. George Aldrich complained about the nickel peeling, and when I inquired further, he said it never happened on stunt engine. Randy mentioned the same here recently. Given that you can run a VF essentially forever without wearing it out, I don't think this is a big problem or something we have to worry about.

    Brett

What I would like to know, if anybody can fill in the blanks on OS's new-ish "ABL"?  "Advanced Bi-Metallic Liner"!
Steve

ABL is an acronym for CRAP!!!
Given the amount of grief OS has caused the RC community, with their last series of FX liners, you'd think they would have learned. If our Randy Smith used the same type of materials in his PA engines, and tried to sell it to the Stunt community, there would have been a bunch of guys with pitch forks and lamps outside his door yelling to "give him to us".  Yes, the new AX series of OS's are starting the shed their liners.

Interesting enough, the Thunder Tigers don’t seem to have the same problems as OS-an engine line with a very good reputation,(their 2 stroke motors).

At our recent Swap Meet, I picked up a NIB OS .46VF ABC. Brass is showing on the outside of the liner, looking through the exhaust stack, indicating that it is really an ABC. So, never say never! And, the engine has been resold!

My main complaint about Thunder Tiger is that they have persisted in using their old boxes that say "ABC" on them, when they have been ABN for years. ABN works fine, but I see it as misleading or false advertising. When it is carried into the Tower catalog and the listing there says "ABC", that's just going way too far over the line. So, I have avoided TT's.  All they would have to do is put a sticker over the "ABC" that says "ABN", and I'd be fine with that.
  Steve

Hi Steve
If you see a VF that is a true ABC or AAC it is most likley one of the ones I have done or Shadel or Nelson, as I have never seen a OS made chrome VF. And by the way OS also advertised there motors as  ABC when they were not! So I would be that hard on TT So it is a very good bet that someone replaced the liner with a real ABC liner.

Randy

you all talk about OS Magnum and other brands that don't care about you or C/L.

Have you guys noticed that there is a great company with more the 20 models READY for C/L that cares about C/L and has one of the friendliest after sales support?

Instead of converting any R/C engine, consider some of the many engines from Enya.  I don't know why but some people make a mean face when I suggest an ENYA. It boggles my mind as to why?

Enya SS30 same weight as a FOX 35, much stronger, much friendlier, work amazingly well stock out of the box

Enya SS40 a bit heavier then an OS 46LA, but I find it to be as friendly, same or more power, but in my opinion much better quality and with no need to replace cheap plastic parts or unreliable remote NVA.This one has won a few important European contest at the hand of Bill Draper from England. Works out of the box!

Enya 40XZ same weight as Magnum 36XLS, probably as strong and as good as 40VF for much less weight. I have no data about this engine, but since I haven’t heard any complains, it must bee running well.

Enya SS50 much lighter then a ST G51, practically the same mounting holes and dimensions, amazing power! Probably the biggest bang per Oz out there. Not even funny comparing quality between the two.

Enya 60III a bit heavier then an ST 60, exact same Piston X Stroke and timing, runs much smoother thanks to a better crank and parts plenty available.

Enya engines are known for its superior quality and you can buy them from Randy Smith and get his support! What is wrong with this picture?

Martin

I would love to see Enya make a range of lightweight stunt engines in both side and rear exhaust. I don't think they're ready to do that.

For years, Enya's USA importer ignored the CL market here. I dunno how Randy gets past them, but I'm glad he's got 'em coming in. Right now, I think we maybe have one Enya .40 XZS in the NW, and I've not seen it run, AFAIK. I considered the new .60, but it wasn't quite what I was looking for.  It's going to take some time to get the popularity that they no doubt deserve. Hang in there, Randy!  Steve
 

Hi Steve,

Do no why you mention "they are not ready" Enya has been delivering some of the lightest C/L engines on the market. The Enya 20S, SS30, 32CX, 40XZ, SS50, 53-4C and 61CX are the lightest engine you can find. Only a specialized stunt engine can match or beat (not by much) the weight of these engines.

I also would like to see more medium and low cost F.I.R.E. (Front Intake Rear Exhaust) engines. Enya just released the 32CXL S Pro with FIRE which is light enough to power a Nobler and strong enough to take a 630sq.in. stunter. The 61CX was born from the 45CX case and they made in the past the 45CXL AAC with FIRE, perhaps they can make a 61CXL FIRE. The only thing that could be holding them back is that they are not finding the aluminum alloy they like to use for making the pistons, which accounts for the shortage of the 61CX as well.

Martin

I'd love to see Enya sell a .40 that is similar to their .32BB rear exhaust job. I'd buy that.

The Engine I have been most impressed with is the new dual BB 40 XZS, very light very well made  great power and is a very good ultra light ST 46 replacement

Randy

Hey Randy:
Have you checked the timing of that Enya 40 XZS.  I recently mounted mine on an old profile Tanager test bed and set up a pipe to experiment with it.   I'm starting with the pipe around 17", and an APC 11.5 X 4 prop.