Gonna get a Q500 viper or Dominator 500. Will be my first. I guess I need to get a .40 ? Or what should I get ? A TTPro .40 or Jett engeneering ? Can I race with that set up

Find out what classes of Q-500 are being flown in your local area if you intend to compete and equip as per their format. If you don't care about competing and just want something fast get a Rossi .45, OS .46 or even Webra 50 with Nelson or Jett mufflers. Any of those engines would get you into the 140 mph range.

Get a TT .40 pro. Start in the AMA 424 class. Perfect way to start racing.

Kurt

Hi Dale, and welcome to the racing addiction! If you are new to pylon racing, the Thunder Tiger PRO40 is the exclusive engine we race in 424 nationwide. They are very reliable and easy to set up & run. The Jett would be the next class up, and is quite a step up for a new guy to try to start with. I would suggest that you run at least a few 424 class races before you decide to move up. If you do decide to get a 426 engine (Jett), I would suggest that you just practice with it, and race the TT in 424.

The next race in our district is my event in Mulberry, Florida the third weekend of March. I would be glad to help you get started in racing, so let me know what you need. A few of us try to practice at least a couple of times a month at the field, and you can really learn a lot running in practice. Dennis O'Brien, Randy Bridge, Ray Brown and I are all members in Mulberry.

Scott Smith - 86t
NMPRA District 7 VP
SEMPRA President

Thanks Scott. Wow. They sounds awesome. I fly at TRAC in Tampa. I think I'll get the great planes q500 viper and a TT Pro40. At this point. I guess I just wanna be able to beat the guys at my field against their ultra sticks. But competition sounds like fun. How fast will the viper & TT40 go ?

There are some recommended reinforcements for the viper. I'm not sure what all of them are, someone here will surely be able to point you to a link with more info. They dont make it any faster, but do beef up a couple of weak points and make it last longer

The viper & TT40 properly set-up to race with an APC 9x6 prop spinning 17K is around 115~125mph. If it is just speed you want, an APC 9x6.5 pylon prop would be your best bet, and a few mph faster. If you plan on running the engine at the higher rpm's, you will need to replace the rear bearing to ensure it stays together. Most guys replace the standard ones with the Boca Bearing HP bearings. If you want to set up a motor PM me, and I'll send you some information on all you need to do.

Scott Smith
NMPRA District 7 VP
SEMPRA President

So would I assume right in saying that this Viper with a TT40Pro will beat a Ultra stick40 with a OS 55ax ?? In a race.

Dale: Here is the link to the Viper "improvement" thread. The airplane, as it comes in the box, has some areas that are structurally deficient.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_7651229/tm.htm

Thanks, Gary - I knew the info was out there somewhere.

Another question. Will be putting a new TT 40 pro on it. Aside from the manufactures break in procedures. Is there a special way you Pylon guys like to break these in ?

Put a smaller prop on it, or cut a 9x6 down to 8" and run it rich but at high rpms (16,500) on the bench for a few tanks. Pinch the fuel lines every once in a while to get a feel for how far you are off from peak. Then put an APC 9x6 on in and set it with a decent smoke trail. Do some climb/dives (giant egg shaped loops) to let the motor unload numerous times during the first few flights. Don't run it slobbering rich like they used to with ringed engines.

Kurt

Originally Posted by kbozarth

Put a smaller prop on it, or cut a 9x6 down to 8" and run it rich but at high rpms (16,500) on the bench for a few tanks. Pinch the fuel lines every once in a while to get a feel for how far you are off from peak. Then put an APC 9x6 on in and set it with a decent smoke trail. Do some climb/dives (giant egg shaped loops) to let the motor unload numerous times during the first few flights. Don't run it slobbering rich like they used to with ringed engines.

Kurt

Good stuff. Any certain type glow plugs or is stock fine ?

Stock. I have tried many different ones over the years - the best ones are simply the ones that "work."

Kurt

I've had good luck with K&B 1L. You can get them from Mecoa still, but they're not as common in the hobby stores, etc, as they used to be.

I've heard the Merlin 2003 is pretty close, they'd be worth a try.

Reliable is best - you want a plug that lights well, always starts the engine, and finishes 10 laps reliably. That counts for a lot. You can't get points if you don't start and finish both..