Author Topic: Saito .30 (Read 2289 times)

wwwarbird · « **on:** July 29, 2006, 02:04:59 PM »

Just looking for user opinions, suggestions etc. on the Saito .30. What props would some of you recommend, two and three blade.

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2006, 09:28:23 AM »

I am flying SAITO .30s in three different planes, all approximately Nobler size - in fact, one IS a Nobler.

My Little Cherokee flies best with a 9 1/2-6 Master Airscrew plastic.

The Argus uses an APC 10 1/2-4 1/2 cut down to 10.

The Nobler works well with an APC 10-5.

Bottom line, buy yourself a few props to tinker with - you'll dial into the one that works best.

Also, I have tried a number of different fuels and so far the best is Powermaster GMA 10/22, even on very hot days.

Here's something of interest - I probably have well over 600 flights on my SAITO .30s and I have NEVER changed a glow plug.

Also, I adjusted the valves once on each of my 30s after break in. Never had to adjust them again.

They are great little engines.

All my .30s are completely stock with the carbs wired wide open.

Bob Z.

Steve Fitton · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2006, 10:39:09 AM »

I watched Bob's Argus fly yesterday at the Philly contest. A great run, it handles the turbulent Philly field air exceptionally well, and sounds great. Bob's run sounds like a minature version of the Saito 72 run Dan Banjock gets with his big Vista stunter. A cool setup.

Steve

Leester · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2006, 12:47:00 PM »

Who are you buying the FA30's from?

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2006, 01:05:40 PM »

I got two from Brodak and one from a hobby shop in Ohio - I don't know if they're still in business.
Pretty sure you can buy direct from Horizon.

Bob Z.

Leester · « **Reply #5 on:** July 31, 2006, 01:54:51 PM »

I didn't see it listed on Horizon and it didn't come up in a search on thier site. Wendy's store has them ,but 164.95 + shipping. Is that about right?

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #6 on:** August 01, 2006, 05:43:07 AM »

That price sounds right - it's worth every penny of it.

Bob Z.

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #7 on:** August 01, 2006, 01:16:30 PM »

Here's some commentary from my friend on the SAITO .30.
Bob Z.

I have flown Larry Rengers Saito 30 powered Flitestreak in addition to Saito 72 powered Backfires.

Trust me on this, (honest, trust me) the 30 pulls JUST LIKE THE 72.
I was speechless while I was the handle.
The first words that came out of my mouth was "you got to be kidding me".
It had that same "go through a brick wall" at slow speed feel as the big block.

rustler · « **Reply #8 on:** August 01, 2006, 01:42:39 PM »

Bob, how did the cg compare using the 30 4S?

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #9 on:** August 01, 2006, 02:09:36 PM »

I'm not sure of the CG on the Flite Streak

but my Argus is probably a bit nose heavy.

One thing I have found is that a 4-stroke engined planes flies quite well even when nose heavy.

When I flew the Red Baron with the SAITO .80, the engine was 4 ounces heavier than the original and I did not add tailweight.

Bob Z.

Leester · « **Reply #10 on:** August 01, 2006, 02:53:50 PM »

I heard back from Windy and the price is 169.95 + 2.75 for ins. shipping was free and a free video. Wonder how it would be on the Primary Force ARF or Kit. The weight is listed at 270gms or 9.5 oz with muffler about 1/2 heavier than a OS 25 LAS.

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #11 on:** August 02, 2006, 08:44:51 AM »

What engine was the Primary Force designed for?

Bob Z.

Leester · « **Reply #12 on:** August 02, 2006, 08:58:48 AM »

The ARF says 25-40 the kit says 25-35.

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #13 on:** August 02, 2006, 09:05:42 AM »

For the most part, you can replace a .35 with the .30. It does well in most Nobler sized planes.

Believe it or not, I've flown the ARF Cardinal with the SAITO .30.

Bob Z.

Leester · « **Reply #14 on:** August 02, 2006, 09:15:32 AM »

I sent my check off to Windy today so I should have it by the end of next week. Any pics or a discription of how you wired the carb open? Obviously I've never done that before. Thanks

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #15 on:** August 02, 2006, 09:51:35 AM »

Hi, Leester - really no trick to it. I just get some fine copper or safety wire and loop it through one of the holes in the throttle arm. Then just attach it to any convenient part of the engine, like the pushrod tube.

Here is a picture of the setup on my OS .40 - you can do something similar on the SAITO.

Bob Z.

Leester · « **Reply #16 on:** August 02, 2006, 10:16:27 AM »

Thanks Bob: Looks easy enough.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #17 on:** August 05, 2006, 03:58:49 PM »

Thanks for the great info Bob, K point to ya!

Any experience with three bladers?

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #18 on:** August 08, 2006, 08:43:53 AM »

Hi, WWW - funny you should ask!!
I have no experience yet but I just acquired a few 3-blade props. I plan to try them on some of my smaller 4 stroke engines.

I'll post some info after I do a few tests.

Bob Z.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #19 on:** August 08, 2006, 08:54:34 AM »

Also Bob, how much fuel are you using?

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #20 on:** August 08, 2006, 09:37:07 AM »

I've found quite a variation in fuel consumption for the SATIO .30.

It needs at leat two hours running time before it settles in. I would allow for 2.5 ounces if you wish to do the AMA pattern.

My first .30 needed 3 1/4 ounces for the pattern when new. Now, after around 350 flights, it uses just under two.

Bob Z.

Leester · « **Reply #21 on:** August 10, 2006, 01:43:04 PM »

I just received my Saito 30 today from Windy (Brodaks) as Jackie Gleason use to say "How Sweet it is" I immediatly broke out my Primary Force ARF and it will fit in like a glove. Looks like I have an ARF to assemble and an engine to break in. I will take pictures and post when it's ready. I will have to reread the posts involving this engine and study the instruction manual. In the mean time any tips on break in would be appreciated. Thanks

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #22 on:** August 10, 2006, 03:21:46 PM »

Just break it in per the book.

Bob Z.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #23 on:** August 16, 2006, 12:27:40 PM »

Now, after all this, I hear that Saito has discontinued the .30 and it's gonna be a while before I have the $$$ for my pair of them.

Hopefully I'll still be able to track down a N.I.B. pair later on.

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #24 on:** August 16, 2006, 12:33:36 PM »

So, it seems that SAITO is discontinuing both the .30 and .40.

What a shame - they are my two all-time favorite engines.

So, I wonder what we'll have for small 4S engines?

I'm not sure what OS has to offer.

Bob Z.

Leester · « **Reply #25 on:** August 16, 2006, 02:12:32 PM »

OS has a 30 and a 40 4S Magnum has a 30.

Ken Deboy · « **Reply #26 on:** August 16, 2006, 03:29:46 PM »

The OS 30 weighs about an once more than the Saito. Don't know how they compare in power.

cheers,
Ken

bob branch · « **Reply #27 on:** August 26, 2006, 06:43:54 PM »

The OS .30 four stroke has no power, zero. It cannot come anywhere near a Brodak .25 even. Its nice in rc, my favorite 4stroke there, but forget it for CL.

bob branch

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #28 on:** August 30, 2006, 09:19:53 AM »

Thanks for that info, Bob - I have seen only one Surpass .30 run and I share your opinion.

The ironic thing is that, by and large, the Surpass engines are extremely powerful. The .40 and .52 for example, are considerably more powerful than most equal displacement 2 stroke engines.

Could OS have dropped the ball with the .30?

Bob Z.

Larry Renger · « **Reply #29 on:** October 11, 2006, 09:52:41 AM »

I started my 4-stroke life with a used OS 20. It was pretty beat, and not adequate for the Flitestreak. Then there was a sale on the Magnum 30 4-s. Picked that up, and the performance was satisfactory. However, at Golden State Championships, I had a chance to run engines Mano-a-mano against Ray Firkin's Saito 30. We used the same bottle of fuel and swapped props. The Saito ran 400 rpm faster! The Magnum went into the engine bin, a Saito onto the Flitestreak, and the rest is history!

At one contest, the judges thought my engine had quit because they couldn't hear it. After I finished the wingover, they decided that either I was the whipping champion of the world, or the engine was darn quiet.

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #30 on:** October 11, 2006, 10:22:33 AM »

Yes, the SAITO .30. Truly a wonderful little engine.

If you want to try a great setup, build an Argus around the .30.

I have had judges tell me that it's about the best flying Argus they've ever seen.

At the last contest I flew it in, it became quite windy and the little plane went through as well as any .60 powered plane that was flying that day.

It even looks great with the engine sticking out from the cowl the way it does.

This combination has become my all-time favorite stunt plane.

AND, by the way, when I first built it, it was 34 ounces and flew just OK. Now, at 39 ounces, it's terrific.

Bob Z.

ps - check out the Zamco spinner.

Leester · « **Reply #31 on:** October 11, 2006, 01:30:25 PM »

Bob: It's funny you should mention the 30 with the Argus. No more than 30 min. ago I received my Argus kit from Bill Sawyer in the mail. And I happen to have a NIB Saito 30.

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #32 on:** October 11, 2006, 02:07:56 PM »

Lee - I assume that by now the whole thing is spread out on your workbench!!!!

Bob Z.

Leester · « **Reply #33 on:** October 11, 2006, 02:41:52 PM »

Living room floor, Work bench is full.