I have been reading about people getting the same amount of power out of their magnum and saito, so could this actually be true or is it better to buy a more expensive saito?

-Matt

i dont know but i strongly believe in you get what you pay for. buy cheap get cheap. but magnum has a sour taste in my mouth because i had one of there engines and id did not run right but that may just be me

I figured that was what people would say. I was banking on a Saito anyways. A lot of people have told me to get one.

I think one of the major advantages of the Saito is the lower weight. Unless I'm mistaken, the Saito .91 is several ounces lighter than the Magnum .91.

As far as Saitos in general, I have a 1.00 and it is the finest engine I've ever owned. It's my first 4-stroke and it has been a pleasure to use. It's only got 2 gallons or so through it, but it's been 100% reliable and puts out gobs of power. I'll add my vote for Saito.

After seeing other club members fiddling with their ASP/Magnum 4-strokes and getting pretty average power out of them -- while I burn holes in the sky flight after flight with my faultless Saito 100, I'd definitely say that the Saito is worth the extra money.

Add the price of even a cheap ARF that is crashed because the engine gave trouble and you can see that "investing" in a good quality engine can save you heaps in the long-run.

But, having said that, the Magnums are a great engine for the money. They'll work "as advertised" for many years and pull your sport/scale plane around good enough for 90% of people to be satisfied.

But my (very limited) dollars still go to Saito :-)

I own several Magnum 91's a 61 and a 70; every one of them runs like a champ, never have adjusted the valves on any of them, and never have to mess with the low speed needle once it is set. For reference I also own an OS 91 and a 70 which also run like champs. I have 3 more Magnum 91's brand new in the box too, with kits on the shelf for them to go into. I think the Magnums are an excellent product. Ever since Magnum changed the design to have the crankcase vent to the carburator intake they run right out of the box just like an OS does.
I heartily recommend the Magnums with no reservations or qualifiers at all.
While I have no personal experience with Saito, I have seen many in operation, they are fine pieces of machinery and if you yearn for a Saito then get one.
Magnum still does not have the "star" power that Saito and OS have but it is a very good engine, If bang for the buck is what you are looking for go for the Magnum.
Regards,
Charlie

Thanks for the advice. I'm still not sure which one to get though.

What plane are you looking to fly?

I have a Magnum 91 ($170) in a Four Star 60 and it's a good solid engine. It's easy to start and turns a 13x8 prop all day long. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one, it's a good match for that plane.

Personally, I'd jump over the Saito and go with a YS 110 if performace is what I needed. I have a 110 in a 60 size Edge 540. It's turning a 14x10 prop and that plane screams.

I'm not sure which plane I want to put it in? I was thinking along the lines of a yak or an extra 330s. Any suggestions on that plane?

If you intend to fly 3D then the Saito would be a better bet than the Magnum -- it's a *lot* lighter. Well the Saito 100 would be better, it's a *very* light engine for its size and power.

Originally Posted by XJet

If you intend to fly 3D then the Saito would be a better bet than the Magnum -- it's a *lot* lighter. Well the Saito 100 would be better, it's a *very* light engine for its size and power.

I agree.
Go for the lightest weight and the most cubic inches.

Originally Posted by justerik

I think one of the major advantages of the Saito is the lower weight. Unless I'm mistaken, the Saito .91 is several ounces lighter than the Magnum .91.

As far as Saitos in general, I have a 1.00 and it is the finest engine I've ever owned. It's my first 4-stroke and it has been a pleasure to use. It's only got 2 gallons or so through it, but it's been 100% reliable and puts out gobs of power. I'll add my vote for Saito.

I have a Saito 100 also and I have to boast it's a sweet fiddle free engine with gobs of power to spare. Quiet also.

Saito beats magnum hands down. The saito's are works of art with their 1 piece head/cylinder with a hemi head. Plus horizons repair/service policy beats hobbico's big time.

The saito 91 is perfect for overpowering most .46 2 stroke airframes.

Dylan

Hey, Dylwad, ever had to fix a Saito, tear one down? Bring your wallet with you when you do. I agree with Chashint, Maggies are good engines and I too like the PCV set up, it ensures good valve train lubrication and keeps the plane clean.

And oh yes, I have Saitos, Maggies and OS four strokes in my stable.

Cheers,

Chip

In all honesty I would lean towards the Magnum, as I have a 70 in a 40sized Decathlon and it has been a great engine and a wonderfull combination with that plane.One of my mates at our club who hopes to join the TOC circuit next year maintains that a Saito will never run sweetly untill it has had it's warranty factory re-build.He owns his own Airforce let alone squadron of the things.

Cheers Rinkhals