Best 4-Cycle Engine Replacement for a Supertiger .60?

[Dennis Saydak]

What would be the best 4-cycle engine to replace a Super Tiger .60 R/C engine in a scale model? Similar power and reliability on idle would be important factors. Weight is not an issue at all.

[Chris Wilson]

What would be the best 4-cycle engine to replace a Super Tiger .60 R/C engine in a scale model? Similar power and reliability on idle would be important factors. Weight is not an issue at all.

If weight is NOT an issue and you want a nice scale engine then look at the RCV60.

[Allen Goff]

Dennis, I have been running a Saito .91 four stroke and it does a real good job. I have changed to a Saito FG-14B (.82B) gas four stroke. I find it very reliable and what use to take the .91 glow 8 Oz's. to do my scale flight, the FG-14B takes just 2 Oz's. of gas and the clean up is much less. You do have to make room for the battery and the ignition box tho, that might be the only draw back. A little pricey but over the long run you'll make up the cost in fuel saved. contact Pet Burgstrom at Horzion Hobby, he is their engine man.

Blessings
Allen

[Dennis Saydak]

Guys, I've decided to build Mr. Mulligan as my first scale model. See here: http://d951443.u114.weberz.com/about58.html
I've had the original plan from Model Aviation for years. The engine I decide on has to fit the cowl particularly lengthwise. I do have access to a NIB RCV60 from a friend. That engine fits the cowl and the weight will help balance the short nose. However, where in the world do you get 14X14, 15X12 or 16X12 props easily? Wood props are not recommended for that engine. The ideal 4-stroke choices dimension-wise are the OS .52 Surpass (which I have) or Saito .56. The prototype model weighed 9.5 pounds and the author says it flew well on a Tiger.60. I don't know if either of these engines will be enough power since I have zero 4-stroke experience? I do believe I can build the model lighter than 9.5lbs even with adding electronics for flaps & throttle. The prototype had 16oz of lead in the cowl.

Notes: Forget the RCV60 option. In researching this engine on the Internet it is reported to be vibration prone, overheats easily and sounds wierd because of the starting mechanism. I'd rather go with a normal sounding 4-stoke engine.

[Chris Wilson]

Notes: Forget the RCV60 option. In researching this engine on the Internet it is reported to be vibration prone, overheats easily and sounds wierd because of the starting mechanism. I'd rather go with a normal sounding 4-stoke engine.

Dennis, be very careful about what you read regarding the RCV's.

They are on their second iteration and are vastly improved so talk to someone who has a current model and you may be pleasantly surprised!

Props at that size are made by APC in glass filled nylon.

And overheats easily, probably the lack a of cowling knowledge went a long way to creating that one!

[Jim Fruit]

Dennis:

Nice selection. I don't quite understand why the original had to add 16 oz. of lead to the nose however. Maybe it was because he chose to plank the entire tail section with sheathing, then add fairing strips outside of that. When I did mine, it was 60" and I did not have to add any weight to the nose. I did have a Saito 90 twin and an on board D-cell for glow assist, but no weight was needed. My method of building was with an 1/8" crutch, formers, and fairing strips. I had no planking except in the forward portion of the fuselage. I will bet that you can build much lighter than the expressed 9.5 pounds. Also, I would not be concerned about the strength of the Saito .52 Surpass. I'll bet it would be ideal for your Mulligan.

Jim Fruit

[Dennis Saydak]

Thanks for the feedback Jim. The OS 52 seems to be a custom fit size-wise for the Mulligan. And, there is certainly lots of potential for an experienced builder to lighten up the design aft of the C of G. as you indicate.

[John Rist]

If weight is NOT an issue and you want a nice scale engine then look at the RCV60.

I had an RCV 120.  Ran really well but seamed underpowered (compared to my Sato 120).  The advantage is that it swings a really big prop and looks really cool inside the cowling. The only problem I had was it kept stripping the muffler.  Muffler was very soft aluminum.  I found that a OS muffler was the same size and did not fail. If weight is not a problem I would go one size bigger than you think necessary.  I think they make a RCV 90.