Nitro Engine Tuning 101

[Finless]

WOW.... what an opportunity!

This was just a flying day last Sunday and I came out to the field and Tim Jones was testing the new undertesting YS 1.20 engine and a pipe he is helping them design. So.... I shot a video and while he was tuning the engine we both thought "long over due"!!!! An engine tuning video was in order! It's been asked for many times and what better opportunity then from a great pilot like Tim. So we just shot video RAW uncut and live! Seriously guys this was just 1 to 1 how it came to be.

So you get 2 things out of this videos series.
1) You get to see the "Nitro BEAST" and testing of the YS 120 engine
2) A full blown by a "Pro" engine tuning 101 which I think is the best outcome of this weekend and Tim agrees!

So no more hype.... lets go with the videos!

So it worked out this way and the videos are in 5 segments. The "foggy" YS flight, "lets do an engine tuning video", and then a final show off of the new YS120 under test!
My god folks... I have to tell you this was like finding a gold mine both for a new product intro and getting a guy that knows what he is talking about to show you all how to tune an engine!

OK on with the show! FYI all these videos are in HD as I felt this was need to show the details.

This first video was just me shooting Tim testing the YS120 on a Sunday FOGGY morning. BUT this video led to something much more relevant to you all... Well at least I hope it did

Video Link ->Nitro Tuning 101 - INTRO and Tim's "Foggy Flight" (139 Megs)


As the day changed from wet and FOGGY to sunny and warm, Tim and I both got the idea... "Nitro tuning video!" So here it starts!

Video Link ->Nitro Tuning 101 - Part 1 - The basics of tuning an engine (185 Megs)

Video Link ->Nitro Tuning 101 - Part 2 - Bench Talk (102 Megs)

Video Link ->Nitro Tuning 101 - Part 3 - Finding the "Sweet Spot" or Pro tuning (142 Megs)

OK this last video is Tim showing off the new YS 120. Well... testing it anyway Like the INTRO and this video, Tuning is the topic. BUT this shows you the YS 120 and how it will effect Nitro helis and the future! It's A BEAST like I have never seen a Nitro perform before!

Video Link -> Showing off the new YS 120 with "Tuning Talk" (150 megs)


Summary; Tim is an awesome pilot and I cant thank him enough for allowing ME to shoot video of him testing the YS 120 and then realizing an educational opportunity to teach many how to tune an engine! Seriously! RAW an uncut.... Thats the way I like it and Tim does as well.

I hope you all get some enjoyment and education from this series. As always ASK questions and let me know if there is something I did not cover you would like to see... OH.. FYI, do not ask me or Tim for a LEAN RUN video. Neither of us are willing to burn out an engine

Enjoy and Happy Flying,
Bob

[Bob O]

Looks like I have some DL'ing to do in the morning! I can hardly wait. These videos are going to be great I'm sure!!

[Dave Snider]

Nice tuning tips,Thanks Tim and Bob for all your contributions.
Helifreak Rocks!!

[eimbot]

great videos, thanks alot

ive got a question about midrange needle elevator tictocs?
in the smacktalk nitro motors videos, bert kammerer tunes his high end needle by doing elevator tic tocs.
and in the tuning4protune.wmw video, Tim Jones says that elevator tic tocs never touch the high end and its only for the midrange. who should i listen too? hehe.

[HeliBenj]

Bob does it again!
I felt this was missing from the day I started with nitro, so great job, really appreciate it!

[Mik3Lit3]

Got to see this series go down in person, wow. This engine is crazy.

[HeliBenj]

Just done watching the whole serie, real great job guys, a big thanks to both

[Dogdocphil]

WOW! That is the best explanation I have ever seen in my 25 years of flying! My big question is.... As with everyone I think. When can I get a YS 120??

[goldwing1957]

Just curious why header tanks aren't used anymore. Don't they help with leaning out problems?

[rctintin]

Great tutorial there guys, especially the part for us lesser mortals who are not at the stick banging stage yet! Doing the full power climb outs, and dropping to mid stick really shows the mid needle well. Thanks guys

[Dogdocphil]

Originally Posted by goldwing1957

Just curious why header tanks aren't used anymore. Don't they help with leaning out problems?

You dont need Header tanks in a YS because you are using Crankcase pressure. Supplies a much higher pressure and very even through the whole tank

[HeliBenj]

Originally Posted by Dogdocphil

You dont need Header tanks in a YS because you are using Crankcase pressure. Supplies a much higher pressure and very even through the whole tank

The crankcase pressure setup does help with consitency, but if your clunk goes out of the fuel you're still out of luck, just as Tim points out in the videos. I think people don't use header tanks so much because they are bulky, heavy, more parts / fuel lines prone to failure and for most people the leaning out during those high G manouvers either don't happen a lot or can be mitigated with a richer mid needle?

[eimbot]

anybody know the answear to post #4?

[RCF100]

great videos - definitely a must watch for everyone flying nitro.
One question though: Are they flying with a governor on or off??? it sounded like they were flying with a governor, but can anyone clarify that? basically, I would assume you would want to tune the engine without a governor, but it just sounded very consistent to me, which makes me wonder...
Thanks

[BSDbamse]

Hi bob

Cool video,

I know this is not he rigt place but don't we get i fireup/kevin video from 2010 ?

David

[lowflyer101]

Originally Posted by BSDbamse

Hi bob

Cool video,

I know this is not he rigt place but don't we get i fireup/kevin video from 2010 ?

David

i miss Fireup too, but what can i said, He got a new hobby (its called chick haha) and don't see him around the field anymore

[Bob O]

Originally Posted by BSDbamse

Hi bob

Cool video,

I know this is not he rigt place but don't we get i fireup/kevin video from 2010 ?

David

https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=183352

[Bob O]

Originally Posted by eimbot

anybody know the answear to post #4?

Maybe the difference in motor size and power resulted in the different explanation regarding tick-tocks and needle? Same heli but way more power than Bert's could be the difference.

I like Bert and his video, but this new one with Tim Jones went a lot more in depth, IMO.

[haggy]

Hey Bob,

Great videos!

Was Tim on the governor for all his tuning? I know most advice is not to have the governor on while tuning, but both Bert and Bobby didn't seem to think it mattered.

I guess as long as the motor is on the high needle be it 100% on the curve, or flat out on the governor, it shouldn't matter.

[DominicD]

Great Bob and Tim. At IRCHA i had the chance to hear Tim explain some top secret project he was working on to Bob, while I don't know nitro that well i know enough to realize Tim knows his stuff. Ill DL and watch the vids when I get home tonight. I need to learn more about nitro so i can go back to ignoring ErichF.