Originally Posted by
(MRC)Scotty!
PitPop, how does the Alpha Econo motor perform? Have you or Cody actually tested it? Is the 2066 pipe "THE" pipe for it?
I ask because a friend and local racer, just picked up Orion as a sponsor.. I've seen his "CRF" Alpha on both Buggy and Truggy with 2013 and they RIP.. Although it seems a tad soft on truggy, even his words, but it is still enough. I am considering picking up a couple of the Econo "Alphas" for next season, but am torn, as Mike is the only guy around here that has ever run an Orion, and he just picked them up. I'll be running them in buggy only. I last ran RB S5 and eXtech .24 in that buggy.. RB let go after 6+ gallons, ran my old truggy engine for something to race.
What are the differences in the Econo and CRF Alpha motors? I know the CRF Alpha has the slotted crank, but otherwise what are the differences?
Thanks in advance..
We have not actually tested the econo engine, but it's funny you ask, because they gave us one to run!
We haven't had a chance to run it yet with the Worlds looming, but after Thailand, that will be the plan. Honestly, the main difference of course the main bearing is steel instead of ceramic. IMO that should not deter someone from running the engines. The steel bearings are fine and run strong with great durability. You will not find an engine manufactured today that has higher quality materials than the Orion engines. If cared for properly, they run a long long time. We've run a lot of different engines over the years, and once the seal is established between piston and sleeve with these engines, it is going to perform at a high level for an extended period of time. Longer than any other engine I have used. The econo (or Discovery is what I think they are calling them next year) engine will have the standard crank as you mentioned, and I am guessing a standard plug. I can tell you as a person who stays in touch with my roots and remembering what it was like buying engines and wanting the durability and performance, there is no engine that will provide the fuel economy, smooth powerband, and durability of the 3 port Discovery. The price point will be very good too even for an Italian engine...
On the pipe, I think the 2058 is the pipe for this engine now. We ran the 2013 which is a great pipe, but it is very loud. The 2058 provides the same power, and perhaps a little more smooth bottom end, and also it's a bit quieter and legal in Europe or in EFRA blocks for competition.
Not to say we haven't run these engines with steel bearings. Only a couple years removed from running the CL3B, which I'm sure has the same bearings as the Discovery engines, and those engines performed every bit as well as our modern ceramic equipped mills.