How is the LA 46 so popular when it's an $85 engine that doesn't work right out of the box? You've got a garbage plastic backplate, politically correct but nearly universally hated remote needlevalve, boat anchor R/C muffler, and Japanese spec screws, all are headaches. After you spend $15 on a normal needlevalve, and more on a real backplate, screws, and a reasonable muffler, is the LA 46 still such a great deal? Is it acceptable to expect a novice to buy specialized tools, and rebuild a brand new engine to make it run right? From browsing the LA 46 setup thread, it's clear that no two people are running their LA 46 the same way. There's no consistency, props, needle valves, venturis, backplates, heads (stock, hemi, relieved), head gaskets, etc. So now in addition to amateur mechanic, we expect the novice to sort through all the variations and pick one to make work. Is it any wonder electrics are gaining popularity? I understand how this becomes normal for those who like to constantly tinker, but I think as a group we tend to forget that for a novice it's a bit overwhelming to just build the plane and make it fly, much less getting it trimmed, learning to tune the needlevalve, etc without getting into the standard procedure of trying to make an LA 46 work.
I'd run a Fox 35, or a Max-S 35. Both are lighter, so you can build the plane to plan, and they generate the appropriate 4-2-4 stunt run. Both work right out of the box, with all the stock parts, and none of the RC sport engine problems. The setups are extremely consistent, all castor fuel, 10-5 or 10-6 prop, set needle, go fly. The next step up without the amateur mechanic routine is an expensive custom engine, which most novice pilots aren't going to want to drive into the ground repeatedly.
Topic: Engine for Oriental build (Read 11961 times)
