Alpha Plus .28 5 port

Since may 2009 we saw the first announcements of a new engine brand on the WorldWideWeb.
The brand name Alpha Plus was unknown to us and we were curious where it came from.
We found out that Alpha Plus is originated in TAIWAN and we contacted Marina Huang the PR lady at Alpha Plus to get some more information.

She told us the designer and founder of Alpha Plus is the former designer of the GO engines.
Mr. Liu has a lot of knowledge about building engines.
So if you see some things that might look the same then your correct.
However the engines external and internally differ and are not made in the same factory.

One main things Alpha Plus tries to achieve as new brand name is to offer reliable and well performing engines at a low price tag.

Currently Alpha Plus offers car engines but their website also has a boat and a helicopter section for the near future.
But what about this 5 port .28 engine we review here.
Beside the .28 (3.5 ccmm) 5 port engine there are also a 5 port .21 and a 7 port .21 engine in the program all equipped with turbo heads.

Some things that caugth or eyes when we received the engines are:

* Nicely packed and airtight sealed.
* Carburator for buggy and truggy use design with idle speed needle at correct side.
* Three air inlet venturies as standard.

We missed the user manual as these engines were one of the first shipments.
But you can download it here.

We will see and first unpack and check the engine visually.

* The real engine performance and fuel economy can not be judged by looking at it.

What we think of it?

OK,

We had really nice day to break in the .28 engine.

14 degrees Celsius and the sun shining.

Track was astro turf 100% and dry.

Hadded to our home track in Purmerend.

Some other statistics:
R&B 25% fuel
EFRA 2047 muffler
OS MAX P3 glowplug.
JVD clutch with 4 x 1.0 mm springs
Hong Nor X2 CRT PRO
LRP Harikiri Supersoft tyres
Hong Nor airfilter

We used a hairdryer to warm up the engine to a solid 90 degrees Celsius.
Pressed the engine on the starterbox but it would not fire up.
So raised the idle speed needle by one ful turn in and tried again.
Now the engine fired up instantly and ran at a steady idle speed.
We wanted to run one full tank of 150 cc at idle speed, but suddenly after 3 minutes the engine started to rev up.
I shut down the engine and started it again.
Again high reving but it did not sounded like the idle was to high.
So I turned the low speed needle one full turn open and the high reving was gone.

We finished the rest of the tank and had to readjust the idle screw as the engine was getting less friction.
In the end of the first 150 cc the idle screw was at the factory setting again.
The engine temperature was between 100 and 115 degrees celsius measured at the glowplug during this first break in.

We let cool down the engine with the piston in the bottom of the sleeve.
And after 15 minutes we warmed it up again with the hairdryer before we started it.
it fired up immediatly and the idle speed was OK.
Openend up the high speed needle for one full turn.
We put the car on the track and started to run it at low speed.
No high revving but just moderate revs.
After 5 minutes (half tank) we stopped the engine for a cooldown again with the piston at the bottom of the sleeve.
Engine temperature was around 115 degrees Celsius.
Still no changing on the needles.

We repeated this heat cycling for an other 7 tanks of fuel.

Then is was time to see what the engine was when we started to tune it to near race speed.
The needles on the carburator are easily to turn and the engine responds nicely to the adjustments made.
We used and other 3 tanks of fuel and slowly got near the race tune.
Engine temps around 115 to 120 degrees Celsius measure at the glowplug.

Our first opinion of this engine at near race speed is:
BOTTOM POWER......................
The Hong Nor X2 CRT on the astro turf track was pulling wheelies if we did not carefully applied the throttle.

So plenty of low grund power, top speed was less compared to a 5 port .21 engine but we ran a 13 tooth clutch bell.
With a 14 tooth clutch bell the top speed will be higher and the bottom power will not suffer.

We keep you informed about the long term performance of this engine during the 2010 season.

Paco Raap

2010 Performance

28-03-2010 - Truggy Cup @ MVW Purmerend (NL)

Temp: 18 degrees Celsius
Track: 100% astroturf
Merlin 25% Pro Racing Evo
Hong Nor EFRA 2047 muffler
OS Max P3 plug
8 mm insert/venturi
JVD Clutch 4 x 1,0 mm
Hobao 14t clutch bell
Hobao Hyper ST Pro
LRP Harakiri soft tires

I received this engine on the race day, already ran in and setup with about the right needle setting.

We ran 3 qualifications runs and as we could not preheat the engine, the first qualification we had 2 minutes delay because of the high compression and as the engine had only run 1 litre of fuel up to this day, the 2nd and 3rd quali we did not have a problem starting. After running it for 3 qualifications with 8 mm insert, the engine was a little overpowered for the track we were running. Also as the setup was a little rich and using the 8 mm insert fuel usage was about 6 minutes and 30 seconds for a full tank.
For the next race we will try 7 mm insert and a new needle setting in order to get some more running time and a little less torque from corner exit.

26-04-2010 Truggy Cup @ Nitromaniacs Monchengladbach

Temp: 25 degrees Celsius
Track: 100% astroturf
Merlin 25% Pro Racing Evo
Hong Nor EFRA 2047 muffler
OS Max P3 plug
7 mm insert/venturi
JVD Clutch 4 x 1,0 mm
Hobao 14t clutch bell
Hobao Hyper ST Pro
AKA City block medium tires

As last race the engine was overpowered and in order to try and lower fuel consumption we now used the blue 7 mm insert and also adjusted the throttle end point a little so it would not open further then the gap of the insert. This resulted in a little less insane power and some better fuel consumption, probably about 7 minutes per tank unfortunately just not enough for heats of 15 minutes. However next race we will try to tune it a little leaner to get more minutes out of one tank.

On the training day we ran about 1 liter of fuel and fine tuned the engine setup. With a full tank of fuel the engine stalled a couple of times, so we adjusted the idle screw turning it in 1/4 turn. Running it with the tank less fuel, the engine was running little high on idle rpm. We left it that way to avoid a stalling engine.
During qualifying the engine never stalled. In the 3rd qualification the engine mount was loose but we could finish this qualification. During 1/8 final heat and at starting the engine the problem of the engine mount was not solved however we still went into the heat knowing about the problem. At the start the engine stalled and we had to start from pit, after 6 laps we had to end the race again because of the loose engine mount.
For the next race we will do some additional fine tuning so the engine won't keep stalling.

29-05-2010 Opening event MBC Friesland

Temp: 18 degrees Celsius
Track: 80% astroturf, 10% wood, 10% stones
Jet's 25% fuel
Hong Nor EFRA 2047 muffler
OS Max P3 plug
7 mm insert/venturi
JVD Clutch 2 x 1,1 mm / 2 x 1,0 mm
Mugen 15t clutchbell
Hobao Hyper ST Pro
AKA City block medium tires

At this event I drove about 1 liter with the Alpha engine. Had some problems with the engine stalling a couple of times. Also this day I drove on Jet's 25% fuel instead of the usual Merlin Expert 25%. Leaned the engine a little on the LSN as the engine was stalling some times, later on I put the LSN back in original position and no more stalling.
This day I used 15 tooth clutchbell and clutch springs 2 x 1,1 mm en 2 x 1,0 mm on the JVD clutch to get a little less torque and more smooth power on gas. Though it was better to drive this way there was still plenty of torque with the engine.

26 & 27-06-2010 Truggy Cup @ Nuclea Buggy Racing Mol

Temp: 32 degrees Celsius
Track: 100% astroturf
Jet's 25% fuel, Merlin 25% Pro Racing Evo
Hong Nor EFRA 2047 muffler
OS Max P3 plug
7 mm insert/venturi
JVD Clutch 2 x 1,1 mm / 2 x 1,0 mm
Mugen 15t clutchbell
Hobao Hyper ST Pro
LRP Harakiri soft tires

On 26th of June drove about 25% of Jet's 25% fuel, again some problems with the engine stalling a few times. On the race day it turned out de glowplug was dead, this was probably the cause of the engine stalling during training day.
On 27th of June qualification I ran on Jet's 25% again, at the start of the 2nd qualification the glow plug died. We put in a new OS P3 and the engine came alive better then it had done previous 2 liters, also no more stalling of the engine. Probably the plug wasn't to well after all. After 3 quali's went to 1/8 final heat of 15 minutes and we had to run 7,5 minutes before making 1st pitstop. We didn`t know for sure if we could make it. During pitstop and end of the heat the tank was completely dry, so we could get maximum 7,5 minutes out of 1 tank (outside temp were very high, about 32 degrees celcius).

During student final heat we were back running Merlin 25% Pro Evo Racing and the engine had to be leaned out a little. This made it run better and probably we might make it to more than 7,5 minutes on a tank. After 21 minutes we had a problem with the clutch bearings and we dropped out of the student final.

After 3 races and 1 fun day we my conclusion is now that this engine has plenty of power, too much for astro turf and difficult for smooth driving. However the fun factor is very high running this engine. More information will follow after the next race.

Mario Koolmees

	We received the engine 07-10-2009 from Alpha Plus from Taiwan.
	The engine and all parts in a nice box.
	The Flashy Alpha Plus decals included.
	The exploded view of the engine and spare parts.

THE ENGINE
	The engine is nicely packed in an airtight plastic bag. So no debries can enter the engine during shipping
	The engine viewed from the rear. The crank case is not black anodized like the .21 versions. All holes are factory covered by rubber sockets.
	The engine viewed from the front side. All holes are factory covered by rubber sockets.
	The engine viewed from the right hand side. All holes are factory covered by rubber sockets.
	The engine viewed from the left hand side. All holes are factory covered by rubber sockets.
	The carburator intake has one O-ring at the bottom of the crankcase inlet. An extra O-ring at the neck of the carburator ensures an air leak free mounting without using any extra sealing materials. The carburator can accept different colored and coded venturies. 7.0 - 8.0 - 9.0 mm come standard with this engine so you can alter the power and torque charateristics. The idle screw is at the correct side of the carburator for easy buggy and truggy usage.
	The rear cover has no special treatments and is airthight by the use of one O-ring. Do not forgrt to put the piston in the highest postion when you remove the rear cover!
	The seperate head button is ready for accepting TURBO plugs. There is no glowplug with the engine how ever Alpha Plus has them available in the program. I case you cant lay your hand on the original ones you can use OS MAX P3 and P4 plugs too. An optional head button for STANDARD plugs is available too. The head button as it came on the engine with 2 x cupper head shim washers. The extra head shim washer is not displayed in this picture.
	The rear cover removed and the first look at the internals. Do not forget to put the piston in the highest postion when you remove the rear cover! Everything nicely oiled from the factory.
	This engine is equipped with an ABC engine piston liner set.. The (B)ronze liner is a 5 port design with two extra bypass ports in combination with the (A)luminium piston. The brass liner has a (C)hromed layer that is lapped and rectified. Lapping is making 45 degrees angles scratches on the chrome surface that will enhance lubrification and sealing. A small groove assures a correct placing in the cranckcase and prevents rotation of the liner. The head is fixed with a 4 bolt pattern using hexagon screws using a 2.5 mm hexagon tool.
	The left hand side of the liner. Clearly visible the tear drop cut outs.
	The exhaust port with some larger cut outs in the top corner as the .21 versions.
	The right hand side of the liner. Clearly visible the tear drop cut outs.
	The inlet port with the arrow cut out at the bottom.
	The aluminum piston with asymetric bottom skirt. Two oil grooves in the top of the piston. Top surface is flat no extra domes or whatever. The connection rod is knife shaped and has one oil hole for lubricating the cranckpin. One hole of the large +2 bypass ports clearly visible.
	Lightend by many holes the head is light but has enough cooling charateristics. Alpha Plus brand and type logo are laser edged in the top of the cooling head.
	The 14 mm cranck shaft has a small TURBO cut out and the leading edge of the counterweigth is made in a cutting flow design. No extra counterweight or balance inserts. The carburator entry is square and there are no putties used to flow the cranckshaft. No special treatments of the crank pin.
	The two piece carburator neck clamp. No small O-rings to seal them.
	The extra webbing and the heating ribs at the bottom of the engines in combination with the black anodizing are there to lower the working temperature of the engine. Clearly visible the o-ring in the crankcase to seal the throath of the carburator neck.
	All the parts of the .28 5- port engine.

THE CARBURATOR
	The carburator is a 2 needle composite design with a metal throat.
	The idle screw is fitted at the correct side for buggy and truggy cars.
	It accepts venturi inserts to change the general air intake from 6 to 9 mm. Venturies with 12,75 to 13 mm diameter can be used.
	It accepts venturi inserts to change the general air intake from 7 to 9 mm. This engine comes with a all 3 color coded venturies available 7.0 - 8.0 - 9.0 mm insert as standard. Venturi measurements: Outerdiamter 12,75 mm - 13 mm
	In case you are looking for those figures.....
	In case you are looking for those figures.....
	In case you are looking for those figures.....

	The engine at first sigth is nicely machined and no debries or metal parts from the production process were found. Also the neatly looking and machined composite carburator has the idle screw at the correct side for use in truggy and buggy cars. Also the standard three venturies are a nice feature.
comment by

J	The first impression of this engine out of the box is OK.
J	Parts and engine are nicely machined and assembled.
J	The carburator is a good design with the idle screw at the correct side of the carburator neck.