Have been running the Orion Alpha ABI CRF 3 port for about 9 liters now. Happy with the motor over all but only since i took a shim out and went 30% nitro. Motor then came alive! It has always been punchy low-mid but now i have the top end to match most in a drag down the strait.
One thing I do not like is the carb, super sensitive. Have found I have to run bottom end very rich, after about 4-5 laps worth of temp it comes good. Have just installed a OS V spec carb, see if that makes the motor a we bit more stable and less sensitive to temp/air change. Overall the motor is rad, can only be better with a dialed carb :nod:

I don't think it's released yet for off-road, but it was originally an on-road pipe. We actually discovered it's nice off-road qualities by accident :lol:

Here is the pipe on A-Main, but of course you will need to fit it with a standard length off-road head pipe like what is used on the 2013 set-up.

http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...tem-S21CL7R-US

I have found that to be true also, that when the tune is close on the bottom end, it is very sensitive to adjustments. I look at it as a plus though that I don't have to move the needle much to get the desired setting, but it's a glass half full/half empty kind of thing. :smile: More important is the consistency. I have really found that the new aluminum body carburetor is very consistent and solid. The whole team is using the stock carbs with great success (well, if National Championships is any measure :)). I'm very meticulous with Cody's carburetor, greasing all the orings and sealing the retainer screw. This makes for very solid performance.

The engines are normally shipped with generous deck height, and you can get away with removing a shim (especially above 3000'), but keep an eye on the head button and plug. If there are any signs of detonation (pitting) put the shim back in, especially using 30% nitro.

This is a very tricky question, because there was a CRF engine made in the Picco plant which has a different bearing and block than the current Alpha ABI CRF made at LM...

There are non-CRF Alphas out there. The Alpha ABI is only a CRF if it says so on the packaging, or if it has the slotted crank. You can see the slots in the crank by looking through the carburetor hole and turning the crank. If it's not slotted, it's not the CRF model.

The main bearing size on the new Alpha ABI (and all other LM manufactured engines including Sirio and Werks) is 14.2x25.3x6, which can be found here:

http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...Engine-Bearing

The older CRF or US Spec uses the traditional 14mm bearing...

I'm pretty sure this is correct, but your question is a little sticky. Maybe someone can chime in if they know even more details. :sweat: :)

the new offroad pipe 2058 will be released next month, item ORI88240. Any advantage over the 2013, or is it a cross between the 2013 and 2057?

Actually, it's more of a quiet 2013. I don't see too much similarity with 2057. I personally don't care for the 2057, but it could be our style of track and maybe atmosphere/altitude? Not sure but never got the 2057 to work well out here.

Thanks Paul. Are you guys coming the the RC Pro finals this year?

I'm afraid it's not possible. It's just too much going on before we leave for Worlds, plus we haven't run any RC Pro events this year at all. Did they have any on the left coast? :)

Which orion did Cody run at that last race? Ports? What was his pit window? How many stops did he make?

We went 9 minutes (4 stops). We were running something they had us testing for Worlds, I'm pretty sure it was 5+2 like the Truhe edition, but I need to check for sure. I don't want to tell you something wrong. I can tell you that the mileage was really good, we could go 11 minutes without too much trouble using a 6.5 insert. The tune was great, the power was great, just all around positive from the engine...

So it was the new 5 port you used. Very nice. 11 minutes on a 5 port is pretty dam good. I may have to look into getting one of them for next year in my truggy. Having great power and fuel economy is what i'm talking about!

Adrien is doing fantastic work at Orion... :nod:

The prices are pretty high on orion motors, but i'm impressed with their performance. I'm kinda surprised more people don't run these motors.

Well, good ceramic bearings and hand fitted parts made of the best material available is expensive :smile: They are actually doing a good job keeping entry level engines that are REALLY good. For 2011 they will continue this with a standard bearing engine with the new carburetor that works so well. There will be a 3 port and 5 port model. These will be the engine to have IMO for beginners, you just can't beat it for value and performance. I know I sound like an infomercial, but it's true. :D

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