Small 4 stroke engines

[Franco Gozzi]

Dear friends,

I have a question.
I have just built a SONIC 25 trainer for my son (providing he likes the idea of flying) and I was thinking of installing a small 4 strokes engine on it.
The box calls for a 0.25 cubic inch one.
I am aware that a 4 strokes engine is not exactly the perfect choice for such a plane.
However the idea of hearing that tipical sound attracts me a lot even though I have no experience with small size 4 strokes.
In short, would you suggest any engine which can easily start and fit the trainer size?

Thanks,
Franco

[hobbico99]

i dont know but i would definately recomend a 2 stroke

[tailskid]

Saito 30 would be a nice fit.

Jerry

[Franco Gozzi]

Saito 30 would be a nice fit.

Jerry
Yeah, I've heard that Saito's are the best 4 strokes engines, however I have found a OS 0.26 Surpass on sale at 145 Euro at my usual hobby shop.
Would it be a good bargain?
The engine power is claimed at 0.41 BHP/12.000 RPM, is it enough considering that the engine is heavier by 50 gr compare to a 2 strokes one?

Thanks and cheers,
Franco

[Franco Gozzi]

Dear Jerry,

against my principles I have bought that OS FS 0.26 4 strokes without waiting for a reply of yours to my post.
I was too impatient to have got my first 4 strokes even though it is has been 15 years since I started to enjoy this hobby.
I have to tell you that the engine runs like nothing else with just 5% nitro fuel and it turns a 10 x 6 propeller with authority.
I have got a MDS .48 (a bit old) which can barely do the same!!
The engine sound is way more gentle and smoother than any other 2 strokes engine in the same category. This is already worth the budget.
Vibration is something I have found myself to fight with.
It tends to loosen the silencer screws. Here any suggestion of yours will be very much welcome.

Thanks,
Franco

[tailskid]

Franco, you made a good choice....enjoy. I use some high temp silicon on the muffler bolts and that seems to hold them in pretty good.

Jerry

[charlieoneseven]

I bought a magnum 30 that fits the same size motormounts an a 25.

[bigedmustafa]

I was also going to mention the Magnum .30 4-stroke. HobbyPeople.net had them for $99 U.S. on sale last I looked.

[charlieoneseven]

I bought a pair at that price for my Profile-38 have been breaking them in on the test stand. Other than the Saito's all 4 strokes need at least an hour break in time. A reliable idle and smooth transition to throttle change is desireable on a twin engined plane.

[Popz1947]

My question is, are there any engine manufacturers that still make small, .50 and under, four stroke engines. If not, then are there any sources left for the smaller Saito 4 strokes.

Thanks
Popz1947

[Dennis Flora]

I run only Saito's myself, but OS is top shelf stuff. When I first got into this hobby, I only had 2 strokes, and I spent a ton of money on glow plugs. Well, im happy to report, that after 3 years, both of my Saitos, a 72 and a 56, have the same glow plugs that I screwed into them when they were new !!! 4 strokes use less fuel too !!! They sound better, and you don't need to wring the plane out after every flight. lol I still have a 2 stroke on my heli, but the rotors blow the exhaust down and away from the heli, so im just lubricating the earth, and not the heli so much. lol
Your going to be spoiled now !!! Enjoy it....

[Noveldoc]

I have a pair of OS 26's I have run happily for years. I think they increased the size to 30 though.

For twins, there was a reverse camshaft for the 26 so you could run it reversed. Probably one out there somewhere if you search. OS does not do this for the new engines.

Tom

[Noveldoc]

Almost forgot. For the mufflers get some plumber's tape. Very thin plastic tape you stretch on the threads. Then thread the nut and muffler on and they are locked. Easier to remove than the compounds and cheap.

Tom

[jonhalice]

My question is, are there any engine manufacturers that still make small, .50 and under, four stroke engines. If not, then are there any sources left for the smaller Saito 4 strokes.

Thanks
Popz1947
i think it can .but i didn't do it before.