Engine advice (MGT)

[Cotharyus]

I'm in the market for a new engine. I've ruled out most of the bigblock engines because of the on/off switch feel they have to them, and narrowed the choice down to either a Fantom (the .21 and the .27 are the same price, the .21 is the only thing I can find in stock anywhere) and the XTM 24.7 or 24.7 pro. I'm open to other suggestions, as long as they stay below $200 or so, and parts are readily available. Mostly though, I'd like opinions on those three engines - do I got for the extra (claimed?) rpms of the fantom, or the marginally higher (claimed?) hp of the xtm? Is the pro worth the extra $30? Thanks for everyone's input on this.

[MikeWz]

Well, the XTM is a decent engine, but I'd say that it doesn't put out the same power as the Fantom, even the .21. If you can find the FR-27, go for it. It's an awesome engine, and is actually what I'll be getting, even over the WASP .28 and all. For $200, you CANNOT beat it. Both the .21 and .27 hold a tune really well, are fairly easy to tune, and are very reliable. It's a very nice engine.

Fantom does exaggerate their numbers more than other companies tend to, but, honestly, leave ALL power/rpm ratings out of this. None of them are accurate.

[thedarkness]

The fantom/wasp/diablo .27-28s are all the same with very slight differnces.The fantoms have more top end than the xtms but the xtm kill the fantom in torque where it matters down low.There is also a new sh .28 available its claimed at 3.6hp but thats even more exagerated than the fantoms stats.Also the Gs .25mt engine is a killer engine but there usually expensive in stores but can be bought on ebay for around $100-130.The fantom would have the smoothest powerband out of them all.Also fantoms manual has a great explaination on there breakin method but also explains why they belive there method is best.

[Killa_Mgt]

I have only heard good about fantoms, I plan to get a fantom .21 or .27 for my MGT when i can aford it.

[vbgagnon]

Well I've seen a 24.7 pro in a mgt and its nuts. Strong reliable, IMO you can't beat that engine for the price!

[Chevy-SS]

I've got three of the Picco .26 engines in assorted vehicles. They all run smooth and strong. You can buy one on eBay for $160, complete with pull-start. That's tough to beat. Lotta power at a low price.

[markallen]

The fantom/wasp/diablo .27-28s are all the same with very slight differnces.The fantoms have more top end than the xtms but the xtm kill the fantom in torque where it matters down low.There is also a new sh .28 available its claimed at 3.6hp but thats even more exagerated than the fantoms stats.Also the Gs .25mt engine is a killer engine but there usually expensive in stores but can be bought on ebay for around $100-130.The fantom would have the smoothest powerband out of them all.Also fantoms manual has a great explaination on there breakin method but also explains why they belive there method is best.

I just bought a new SH .28.I can't hardly wait to install it in my Savage.I will keep you guys informed on how it runs.I heard it has amazing power..I hope so..

Mark

[Cotharyus]

This'll kill yall. I picked up an OS .21 RG-X from tower, 139. So far, it's throwing my truck around pretty well. I didn't do this so much for a money thing, as to rub something back at all the people with .26's and stuff that run in mod/unlimited classes. I'm in the same class with them, but I bet I burn less fuel, and break less. We'll see if it pays off on the track.

[MikeWz]

Good choice Coth. OS makes a pretty nice engine. They're not crazy powerful, but they're super reliable and, as you said, you'll easily get better run times then them. If you know how to drive, you'll be able to take out the guys with the .26 (unless they can drive, and have their slippers set right :p )

[Cotharyus]

Good call Mike. And since I stuck it to a GS-SUT at the track with my stock engine on it's way out (way, way out) I think I can probly make the .21 work well. I'll defidently post tomorrow night after the races and let everyone know how it went. My arch nemisses (sp?) will be there, proof that it's all about the driver. He's been kicking my rear with a T-Maxx with the 2.5 in it. Oh yea, and bowties, and a steering servo...I think other than that it's stock. I'll get him though..oh yes, I'll get him...

[MikeWz]

Lol. The maxx is a nice racer. It's basically an oversized 4WD ST. That's why it's so quick. It doesn't weigh anything. It's not that it handles any better, it's just that it's easier to throw around because it doesn't weigh as much so it's snappier....and quicker on the top. You got it though. Traxxas has nothing :p

I'm thinking about picking up an RB econo 3-port. They're fairly inexpensive and I should still get the nice run times out of it. What do you guys think???

[Cotharyus]

Ok - The "MT" (really 4wd class if someone shows up with a 1/8 buggy and we don't have enough for a separate class) class had 8 entries today. 4 T-maxxes, 2 savages, 2 MGT's, one Ofna Violator, and...a Revo.

After qualifying 4th (hey, I had to get used to the new engine, it's got a killer low end) for the main (also lost the screw out of my servo saver for my steering...oops..but 4th still isn't so bad), starting out in the back of the field (because a marshal was holding my truck up in the air thinking I was out of place when the start happened) I managed to wrangle 33 laps to win the 15 minute main. Closest compeditor and I swapped a lot of paint, but he got in a bad rut with about a minute to go, and I put a lap on him. He was running a Savage with a mach .26 in it. I pitted about every 5.5 minutes, the OS seemed a little thirsty during the qualifiers, and I didn't want to flame out. Overall the engine did very well, after 15 minutes of crushing abuse, it came off the track reading 238F. Am I happy? You bet your $*@. I can't wait for my new pipe to come in..it should really smooth out the bottom end, and give me a little push on the top.

[Skandranon]

So you are running the OS .21 in you MGT? How does it compare to the stock engine?

[Cotharyus]

It rips it on the bottom end. The top end is equivilent or better by just a touch, and once I get my new pipe in, I dare say it'll smooth it out some on the bottom, and add a little up top. I had to dial out a lot of exponential on the throttle because it was almost uncontrolable coming out of a turn hard.

[Skandranon]

What pipe are you getting for it? What pipe are you using now?

[Cotharyus]

Right now I'm using the stock MGT pipe. I've got a Fantom 2-chamber RPM pipe on the way.

[KartMan]

Cotharyus,
If you are still looking for a Fantom .27, southeastrc.com has them in stock, and they are getting $199 for them. Give them a call, or I believe you can order online. I have seen these engines in a MGT, and they are AWESOMELY fast. I love the Fantom line of engines. They seem to be very durible, and have awesome power.

[Skandranon]

I accadently asked you the same question in two places coth. Then I edited one out but somehow or another it got edited back in. In any case I didnt mean to.

Is this the pipe you are getting?
https://www.ssl-stormerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/seekpart.pl?pn=FAN20016

[MikeWz]

That's the one. Their awesome pipes. I have the Single Chamber in mine because, at least with the TT.21, I was looking for more bottom-end. When I get the FR-21, we'll see if that changes or not. I may need to get the dual chamber as well.

[Cotharyus]

Yep, that's the pipe. I got it in today. I got the pipe on, and listened to the engine idle - I knew it needed to be retuned. I tweeked the idle a bit and let it warm up some, and checked the acceleration - no bogging, it looked good, it was way to rich on the bottom end though. I ran it a little and it seemed to be doing about as well as it did before, but with a more controlable...not weaker, just smoother..bottom end. I ran it back in and checked the temp - 180. Hmm. I leaned it out a little and it started to scream. I mean stadium truck with a .12 in it scream. I ran it back and forth a few times (gravel drive way, 3 inch high grass, about 150 yards long running trail, wot some, weaving arround, trying to simulate racing some) and checked the temp - 218. Hmm. Lets see about this - I ran the truck down through my front yard - serious hill here people, covered in 3 inch + grass. The truck ran for more than 10 minutes - about a 3 minute improvement over the stock pipe, and never broke 230. It would wheelie, accelerate out of turns very well, I worked it in the grass, and still...nice. I'd recommend this pipe to *anyone*.

[MikeWz]

Coth - What'd I tell ya ;) . Sickest pipe ever. The reason for the extended run times is the fact that it's made out of steel. Steel temps higher than aluminum which helps with the exhaust waves running back up the pipe and pushing unspent fuel into the engine. That's also what helps to keep it cooler (the unspent fuel going back in that is). Glad to hear you like it. That makes two of us

And what do you think of that sound :cool:

[Cotharyus]

Wicked :)

[Maxx_A_Million]

hey there mr. cotharyus... sorry i havent been on tzone recently... glad to see youre liking your choice over the XTM... personally, im one an r/c depression right now. . . 3 or 4 weeks of not running and the few times i did run ti was 1. to tune dylan's TNX (wich i quite simply FREAKING WANT now) and running crappy little electric r/cs that i picked up off some dude for free. . . tamiya fihyer buggy, tamiya grasshopper and... something else... not QUITE race material.. HAHA

anyway... i wanna get a better more buggy-based engine to stick in the hyper 7 once i get myself a job and a TNX... think id be happy wiht the setup youre running? if not, what wouldyou reccomend? id like to smoke you on the straigth and out of corners... hehehe...

btw.. limit exponential to help smoothe things out coming out fo corners??? im ashamed... put that proportional throttle to use, but dont LIMIT the throttle. . .

anyway... glad youre liking your setup and glad you got yourself a good engine...
what was your total damage (cost) anyway?

[Cotharyus]

Deuce, the throw on the carb is so short that you *have* to use exponential to slow down the first part of the stroke, I haven't "limited" the throttle in any way, it still opens all the way up - exponential and end points are not the same thing.

My engine was $139 (tower) and the pipe was $69 (stormer).

[GTX]

Buy another TTR .21 piston and sleeve (or another engine since they are so cheap) and send it to EB Mods for porting. You will be very happy with this setup... :)

[MikeWz]

Not really worth doing that. It's really only recommended to replace the P/S once or twice at most before buying a new engine. Tower is selling the MGT engine for $160 and the OS RGX is certainley a nicer engine

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFUU2&P=7