Randy, I can sure understand why you are biased, if I were 15 years younger I would take you up on your NATS challenge, as it stands I don't have the energy, time or desire.
Haven't seen either Paul or Gordy publish what engine they used or details on how it was set up. Maybe I missed it. My question would be if anyone else could duplicate what they did and get the same results. I spent a couple months trying everything I could dig up on 4 strokes and wasn't able to make anything work well enough until I started listening to the guys from Dallas. Maybe having to make it work in Oklahoma in anything from 60 - 100 deg days and 15 to 20 MPH wind had something to do with my not being successful with an open intake and low pitch prop.
For some reason unknown to me, some people just can't accept the fact that a Saito 4 stroke running a 6-1/2 to 7 pitch prop can be competitive. It just frustrates me you guys who's opinions are taken to heart and respected by many are so negative on the subject.
Hi Bob
First thing, I never said the Saito can't be competitive, nor am I the one that is extremely biased against certain engine setups.
I don't care what you use as long as it works for you, and your happy, There are/were many others besides the 2 that I mentioned, that have their 4 strokes working very well , and are competitive.
If your happy with your setup, that is really the only thing that matters, so I would use what you have , by the way, there are many many people who are using piped setups, that they paid 150.00 or so for, Just ask Bill Little, they are still others that use PA engines with high pitch, and are very happy with the way it works.
Orestes won his first NATs title with a PA 61 and high pitch prop. There are even Yatsenko Models with PA 61s and 65 using high pitch props. There are many way to make both 4 and 2 strokes work, and work very well. So get over your frustrations, no one is telling you that you can't be competitive with your setup.. just go fly and enjoy it.
Randy