ASP52 Four Stroke - is it a good choice?

[Joshua Harel]

Hello All

I am new to this forum but not to C/L. Have been away from flying circles for 30 years and now wants to get back to my roots and fly stunt again. With the enormous technological progress over the years, and, seeing that there are now four stroke C/L engines available - I would like to try it. I have an option for a good buy on a ASP 52FS engine and would appreciate people's opinion of whether it will make a good choice for sport stunt flying?

Best Regards

Joshua

[Brian Massey]

Welcome back Joshua. I spent 38 years away from C/L and was also amazed at the technological advances made. I can't really help you with your real question since I have two Saito 62's but neither has been put in a plane yet. I love the sound and the constant pull they seem to have on a plane, so when given the chance to pick them up at a good price, I did. I have a Legacy kit waiting to be built, that will be the home to one of them. Have you searched the engine in the 4 stroke forum??

What plane are you looking to put your 52 into?

BTW, where do you live?? I'm looking at the time stamp on this post and for me it's been posted tomorrow.

Brian

[Bob Reeves]

Althow I run Saitos I have looked at a few other 4 strokes. OS would be my second choice other than that, most are overweight and underpowered compaired to a Saito of the same displacement.

Even when buying a Saito do not just blindly buy the CL version. For example the 40 CL intake is more difficult to modify (which it needs) than the RC carb. With the RC carb you can use the Saito needle which is better than the OS you have to use on the CL intake. The best bet is to buy a used engine from an RC friend or off eBay for a hundred bucks or so and either mod the carb yourself or maybe have a friend do it.

http://www.tulsacl.com/SaitoCarb.html

[Brian Massey]

When it comes to 4 strokes, listen to Bob 

Brian

[Joshua Harel]

Welcome back Joshua. I spent 38 years away from C/L and was also amazed at the technological advances made. I can't really help you with your real question since I have two Saito 62's but neither has been put in a plane yet. I love the sound and the constant pull they seem to have on a plane, so when given the chance to pick them up at a good price, I did. I have a Legacy kit waiting to be built, that will be the home to one of them. Have you searched the engine in the 4 stroke forum??

What plane are you looking to put your 52 into?

BTW, where do you live?? I'm looking at the time stamp on this post and for me it's been posted tomorrow.

Brian

Hi Brian
Thanks for the quick reply. I did search the forum before posting but could not find any reference to this engine. I live in SC and still struggle to set my personal info and time correct. I have a Brodak Palmer Thunderbolt kit and semi kit on order for a Fierce Arrow which is very high on my list. I have 2 old Noblers in my shop (one goes back to 1954 - built by a GI stationed in Korea) and plan on getting them back in flying order to use as trainers. I also have a flyable Ringmaster that I will use for my intial getting back into shape.
Joshua

[Joshua Harel]

Althow I run Saitos I have looked at a few other 4 strokes. OS would be my second choice other than that, most are overweight and underpowered compaired to a Saito of the same displacement.

Even when buying a Saito do not just blindly buy the CL version. For example the 40 CL intake is more difficult to modify (which it needs) than the RC carb. With the RC carb you can use the Saito needle which is better than the OS you have to use on the CL intake. The best bet is to buy a used engine from an RC friend or off eBay for a hundred bucks or so and either mod the carb yourself or maybe have a friend do it.

http://www.tulsacl.com/SaitoCarb.html

Hi Bob
Thanks for your advice and the "How To" article on converting the Saito 56 / 62 to C/L. Based on your advice I will be looking for a 56.
Best Regards
Joshua

[Steve Helmick]

Hi Bob
Thanks for your advice and the "How To" article on converting the Saito 56 / 62 to C/L. Based on your advice I will be looking for a 56.
Best Regards
Joshua

Welcome to the forum, Joshua!

If you insist on running 4 strokes, you have made the right decision. A Saito .40 should do well on a Thunderbird, and the .56 will fly a Legacy very well. Were I interested in 4 strokes, I would listen to Bob's advise, and follow his setup exactly. For what it's worth, there isn't enough price difference between a new Saito and a Magnum or Thunder Tiger (etc.) 4 stroke to make them a bargain, when you find that there is NO setup data available for them for our use. If you don't follow the setup advise exactly, then don't complain about the results.  Steve

[SteveMoon]

Joshua: I have had great success running the OS 52 FS for about 5 years now.
I'm not sure of the ASP 52's specs, but if it is similar in weight and power
production then it may be a viable choice. At Ultra Hobby Products we make
4S conversion kits for several motors, including the OS 52.

Steve

[Joshua Harel]

Joshua: I have had great success running the OS 52 FS for about 5 years now.
I'm not sure of the ASP 52's specs, but if it is similar in weight and power
production then it may be a viable choice. At Ultra Hobby Products we make
4S conversion kits for several motors, including the OS 52.

Steve

Hi Steve
Thanks for the advise. I am curious now about the conversion to the OS 52 FS. Can you provide more details please? Cost? Pictures?
Best Regards
Joshua