engine replacement

[cory colquhoun]

 I want to buy a new engine and was wondering what would be a good  choice for .35 to .46 size models, os 46 la sounds the goods but as they no longer make them what is an equivalent for sport flying ? I really want to go new. would the evo .36  suffice for the fun flying that I do?

     cory

[Randy Cuberly]

I want to buy a new engine and was wondering what would be a good  choice for .35 to .46 size models, os 46 la sounds the goods but as they no longer make them what is an equivalent for sport flying ? I really want to go new. would the evo .36  suffice for the fun flying that I do?

     cory

Hi Cory,
Need just a little more info.  What airplane or at least what size airplane.  Do you intend to learn to fly stunt or do you already fly stunt.  I know you said for sport flying but than can cover a lot of territory.  What is your experience level?  Are you returning to CL or are you currently flying CL or are you a beginner at CL?

Randy Cuberly

[cory colquhoun]

Hi Cory,
Need just a little more info.  What airplane or at least what size airplane.  Do you intend to learn to fly stunt or do you already fly stunt.  I know you said for sport flying but than can cover a lot of territory.  What is your experience level?  Are you returning to CL or are you currently flying CL or are you a beginner at CL?

Randy Cuberly

Sure Randy,my son and I fly stunt we are a long way from any clubs so we rely on help off the net,although my son can do most manoeuvres we are only beginners,we were thinking of planes 55' ws ,eg oriental, cardinal etc at the moment using couple of old .35 engines with planes of 45' ws


Cory

[Mike Bufkin]

Hi Cory,
There are plenty of LA 46 on Ebay,or you could hold out for the next batch of Brodak 40's.
An excellent engine.
Mike

[Perry Rose]

Check out Hobby King and Horizon Hobbies for engines. I bought an Evo .52 from Horizon for $99.00 and an ASP .52 from Hobby King for $67. I'm not a smart shopper. They have smaller size engines.

[Tim Wescott]

My personal take on the current engine situation is this: there really aren't any current high-production engines that are suitable for control line flying out of the box.  Period.  There's decent RC engines that can be converted, and decent to magnificent CL engines made by cottage operations, and that's it.  The RC world is being taken over by electric motors, and what's available for CL is being significantly impacted by that.

There are small manufacturers that do an excellent job, like Enya and Stalker (and possibly Norvel, although I know of none being used for CL).  Brodak OEM's a few sizes of engine from some Chinese company; it has a decent reputation.  MECOA seems to make engines whenever they feel like, and has a customer base that's either enthusiastic or disgusted -- so I gather that it's a crap shoot.  Other than the Norvel, these are all available as CL.  I'm probably missing some, so someone give a shout. 

Magnum, ASP, ThunderTiger, and OS are the only current, high production volume engines that I know of.  The first three (or one, it's not clear if they don't all come from the same factory) are Chinese and subject to quality variation.  Once again, someone can give a shout if I missed something.  All of these are ball-bearing Schnuerle-ported engines that tend to be higher power per displacement than the 46LA, and higher weight, too.  However -- I have a Magnum XL XLS 36 that was given to me that is a great engine for a 500 square-inch plane, but they've been superseded by the XLS.  I suspect that there are other similar-sized engines that would work similarly well, but I also know of one (Thunder Tiger?) that just doesn't deliver a good "stunt run".  None of these have CL options -- it's up to you to come up with a venturi, or to wire down the carburetor to a good position.

I wish that someone would try out an OS 35AX -- it looks like it could be a good engine for planes up to 550 or maybe 600 squares.  But it would take someone who knows engines to do the experimentation, and someone willing to buy a few on spec to try out -- and it looks like they're the same price as a Stalker.

All your choices boil down to buying an engine mail-order and not being able to waltz into your local hobby shop to get parts.  Personally, I'm past the point where I need to get serious about my motive power (I'm flying Expert).  I should use up the collection of mostly-OS engines that I have, then either get a PA or switch to electric.  For someone in your position, I recommend that you either buy from Brodak, make friends with Randy Smith, who has some nice new Enya engines that he can sell you (with recommendations on how to use them), or that you haunt eBay where you will find lightly-used 46LA RC engines by the score, for final selling prices of around $50-75.  If you go the "buy from eBay" route you'll need to make or buy venturis and either needle valves or spraybars -- the last time I looked Tower still carried both of those bits, and if they don't you can get them from Randy, or if you're inclined, a venturi and a spraybar to match the 46LA's remote needle is almost the easiest lathe projects there is.

Edited 'cuz I got the type of my Magnum wrong.  If I say one thing and Randy Smith says another -- believe him.

[tom brightbill]

Cory,
We have a local guy that uses an EVO 36 on , if I remember correctly, a Cardinal. He has put hundreds of flights on it. He uses the smallest venturi that is supplied with the engine and all synthetic fuel. Maybe a layer of panty hose nylon filter too (?). There's some good info here in the Engine sub-forum. Based on his experience I would give one serious consideration.
Cheers

[Fredvon4]

By the AVATAR Flag,
 I assume Cory is in Australia

So some of my random thoughts are not real good options due to shipping for Cory

On Stuka, StuntHanger, RC Groups, and E-Bay...as well as Ton Dixon, Randy Smith, Doug Galbreath, E-Bay Shutterman, I have been fairly successful in buying mostly New In Box, or very good used, Speed, Combat, and Stunt engines from .20 through .52 sizes
There actually are several other sources like Hobby King, Hobby people etc....and the Brits, Ukrainians, and Russians

Most of them at a price point I thought low enough to buy 2 of, (I always like a spare)

Based on all the hit and miss (forum posts about) the Brodak engines, I have stayed away.  Sort of same with MECOA, although I have actually seen the K&B .28 Sportster ($89) and think highly of it-- but do not have one

IMO a Horizon Hobby EVO .36 CL engine, for $80, is a much better value, to me, than the $119~$129 Brodak .40 (usually out of stock) with iffy minor problems  (improperly cut prop threads etc...)   That said, there are 30 + posts on this forum of folks with very good experience with the Brodak engines

Hell I was way late to the game with Ringmaster/ Sky Ray sized planes so already on the Fox 35 path--- when I learned of the OS FP .20 BBTU...searched for and found LOT of lightly used or NIB OS .20~.25s...both FP iron/ABC --and Many low cost LA 20/25s

That said, there are still a BUNCH of good Fox 35s for sale every day---many NIB
And it is still very very possible to get a great Lew Woolard Fox 35 or 40 in the $100 range...I have one of each

Tom Dixon and Randy Smith are my "go to guys" for a reliable source of ---"I know it will do what they say" purpose built, stunt engines

NOTE: A for sure experience....on the bench...but I expect similar in the air

I got a $152 Magnum .52 B&B from Randy and, as is my mode, a Hobby King NIB $87 Magnum/ASP .52...this engine is destined for my future SV-11 ARF from Randy.  I ran both- using same fuel, same prop, and Randy's NVA set up.... Randy's B&B Mag .52 seems much smoother, better Needle range, reacts faster to brief pinch of fuel feed, or change of attitude..from level to nose up

I also acquired several NIB OS LA and FP .40s and .46s at what I thought were reasonable cost ( +/-$100) and followed the advice here on NVA / Ventrui selection and sources.  One, So called NIB, OS FP 40 was sent off to Tom Dixon for $50+/- mods... He did his magic but on the return note ..he said it looked like it had a Tower 40 PC and liner in it.  Same experience...the stock OS Engine is rough and does not needle as well as the Dixon massaged one (on the bench)..the modded one purrs along smoother with a noticeably wider range of needle, despite same fuel, prop, Venturi/NVA, and muffler

I am sport flyer

I went deep nostalgia first when I returned in 2012 after last flying in 1970s
Brett Buck / Dirty Dan and the BBTU changed my mind...on many levels
I am much too old to fuss with hit and miss problems with many of the old skool engines-- I have plenty of them..ST/Enya/Veco/Fox/MCcoy

If I DID desire to be competitive, I would certainly follow the crowd on good planes and current production electric, or IC engines...

If I was brand new with zero nostalgia bias I would certainly seriously consider electric

I tend to think, relatively, we still have more -and better- choices right now---- than we did in 1965~1972...and if you want to compare costs relative to income... many GOOD choices are cheaper right now...even from Nelson, Ro-Jett, or Randy

If I want: I can still buy NIB current production (but yes, not all in the exact sizes I would like from any brand)

Note: some of these are Speed or Combat but still a LOT of New production Stunt
Stalker
Ro-Jet
PA
Brodak
ASP/Magnum/INC
Norvel
EVO
OS...OK only the OS LA .15 is current production C/L engine...BT I find, every day, NIB 20/25/35/40/46 versions that are good
Nelson
Cyclon
FORA
MVVS
Rossi
Cox .010 through .15

This is top of head...I know there are many more

Point is ---IMO --- If you want to play airplane with 100% NIB equipment...I tend to think, even with the loss of many reputable items, we still have a wide range of selection

And if you add in Diesel, DynaJet, FanJet, Turbine, and Rocket propulsion AND new smaller and smaller Gasoline engines... along with mostly allowed 2.4 Mhz radio control for some functions...

Well---- the world of potential Control Line models for speed, racing, stunt, combat, scale...seems to me to be much more robust than when I was a kid dreaming of the next Xmas present

[Wayne J. Buran]

I want to buy a new engine and was wondering what would be a good  choice for .35 to .46 size models, os 46 la sounds the goods but as they no longer make them what is an equivalent for sport flying ? I really want to go new. would the evo .36  suffice for the fun flying that I do?

     cory

Cory, since you are in Australia, I would check out "Just Engines" in the U.K. they may have something to offer that may be easier for you to procure. I know they do offer the "Irvine" products for sure. Good hunting.
Wayne

[Garf]

I want to buy a new engine and was wondering what would be a good  choice for .35 to .46 size models, os 46 la sounds the goods but as they no longer make them what is an equivalent for sport flying ? I really want to go new. would the evo .36  suffice for the fun flying that I do?

     cory

My EVO 36 turned out to be an excellent runner with a few mods. After a while the bearings got rough. I would suggest replacing the bearings before even running it. The rest of the engine is excellent.

[RandySmith]

there are still  a  Large amount of engines out there for you:  I have  Enya  25SS  , 40 SS, 45 SS in stock, this covers  42 to 60 inch models, the 25SS  will  fly very easy any  flight streak/ringmaster size plane, and will fly a Nobler  as well as a Fox 35 will
the  Enya 45SS   is very powerful and will fly a  55 to 60 inch model.
I have Tower 40s , all the Enyas above, Fox 35, OS LA 46s that I build from new parts , I may have a  Mag 36, Evo 36 and others up to 77 displacement
So there are a lot of motors out there, the Brodak  40 and 25 I am out of stock on, but they will be back at some point

randy

[john e. holliday]

Unless things have changed drastically I have found it lower in cost to ship to Australia than to the United Kingdom.   Even a kit one year was lower in shipping to France.  If you ship IC engines make sure they are well oiled and in a zip lock bag so there is no fuel aroma.  What I don't like is all the custom forms that are required.

[cory colquhoun]

Thanks for all the feedback gents, it helps to get different opinions for choosing the right goods, Will give it some thought and take in all of the advice

Cory

[john e. holliday]

Cory,  go on line and type in  Australian Model News  .   Tony Clifford E-Mails it to me when a new issue is ready.  Covers all if not all of modelling in Australia.

[M Spencer]

Theres plenty of NiB LA 46s around ,

They like to fleece you for them tho , not 80 bucks nowadays .
Theres a bloke at richmond with 5 never binoutoff the box , and a pile of other junk, he's trying to ' recover costs ' on .

Probly the LA 46 is the best option ,from all accounts . unless you go up market - Stalker ETC , or find a cheap Super Tigre 46 .

Wot part of orstrawlia are you .

[RandySmith]

  " I wish that someone would try out an OS 35AX -- it looks like it could be a good engine for planes up to 550 or maybe 600 squares.  But it would take someone who knows engines to do the experimentation, and someone willing to buy a few on spec to try out -- and it looks like they're the same price as a Stalker. "

I have some of the  OS 35AX  engines coming in and will  setup  for  CL stunt, they are the same size  bottom end as a 25 thru 36 heli based engines
Will  see how they do

Randy

[Dallas Hanna]

Cory,  go on line and type in  Australian Model News  .   Tony Clifford E-Mails it to me when a new issue is ready.  Covers all if not all of modelling in Australia.

Here is the link to that one Cory  https://sites.google.com/site/australianmodelnews/home

 John, Tony hasn't been to well of late but is recovering ok when I spoke to him a week or so back.  Seems his heart wasn't working too well and he had to have a pacemaker fitted which is keeping him from going round in circles.

DH

[john e. holliday]

Well Dallas, tell Tony he better take care of his self as I like the E-Mails he sends.   I think Cory shows NSW in his profile, but like me showing Kansas in mine.  How many Australians know that is the central part of the continental part of my great country, the good ole USA.  When Cory decides which engine he is going with maybe able to help him out.

[Dallas Hanna]

Well Dallas, tell Tony he better take care of his self as I like the E-Mails he sends.   I think Cory shows NSW in his profile, but like me showing Kansas in mine.  How many Australians know that is the central part of the continental part of my great country, the good ole USA.  When Cory decides which engine he is going with maybe able to help him out.

Will talk to Tony this week John.  He is 250km south of me and Cory is about 500km north of me if you understand these metric numbers we have!!

DH

[Steve Helmick]

If I remember correctly, Cory lives in SW Rocks, NSW. That's about 700,000km SW from me.  Steve

[Dallas Hanna]

If I remember correctly, Cory lives in SW Rocks, NSW. That's about 700,000km SW from me.  Steve

HOW MANY STEVE!!  Google Maps only has you 7,745 miles (12464 km) Distance from Renton to Sydney.   About time you made a visit down this way!!

DH

[Tim Wescott]

If I remember correctly, Cory lives in SW Rocks, NSW. That's about 700,000km SW from me.  Steve

The moon is closer.

[cory colquhoun]

Yeah come for a visit, South West Rocks is a great holiday destination if you love the beach , sure Dallas would vouch for that,just @#$% for control line lol ,then I would be able to pick your brains face to face ,thinking I might go with evo 36 as I can get one over night out of Brisbane, surely this would be ok for the novice crap I do

 Cheers cory

[Noel Corney]

Cory, I have a couple of NIB OS LA46 that I can let you have at the right price , I will never use them now You will have to get ventures , spraybars for them tho. Noel.

[cory colquhoun]

Cory, I have a couple of NIB OS LA46 that I can let you have at the right price , I will never use them now You will have to get ventures , spraybars for them tho. Noel.

 Hi mate did you get PM yes interested