PDA

View Full Version : Hatori SB-50 "Krause Special" Pipe Review


Pages : [1] 2

RCHeliJim
09-22-2005, 12:59 AM
September 2005

Every once in a while a new heli product comes out that is truly remarkable. The 50 sized heli market has been booming recently and all manufacturers are scrambling to feed the appetites of the 50 sized pilots. During this frenzy a number of new exhaust systems have been created. The latest of these pipes is the Hatori SB-50 “Krause” Special. This pipe was designed with the OS 50 Hyper motor in mind and is an amazing product. A number of pilots have mentioned the $125 price tag as un-reasonable, but once you have seen what this pipe can do, the price seems tame in comparison.

http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/4762e3347883eee9c283eee72895a3d2.jpg

As you can see, this pipe is huge in comparison to the standard 50 sized pipe. It is actually a re-designed 70 sized unit. Jason Krause played the major role in designing and testing this pipe. It is mounted using the floating double o-ring/standoff setup that a number of the larger Hatori pipes use. The pipe comes packaged in a nice yellow box with all the hardware, an exhaust deflector, and a half-sheet instruction page. As the instruction page leaves a little to be desired, lets walk through the install – its quite simple actually.

http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/8d4292b395b08bbe2cfc6a3bc51aaa39.jpg

The first thing you need to do after unpacking the pipe and hardware is find the tank pressure fitting and install it in the threaded hole in the pipe. I use red threadlock on this as I don’t foresee a reason to want to remove it and I certainly don’t want it coming off in flight!! Now, locate one of the 3 – holed mounting plates (they include two in the hardware pack, but you will only need one). The instructions call for some Dremel Cutoff action here. Just use a standard cutoff wheel on your Dremel and remove the entire bracket just to the side of the 2 closest bolt holes as seen in the picture above. You will be left with a bracket around an inch or so long.

Next, take one of the long standoffs from the hardware pack (again, there is an extra one included) and one of the M3 hex bolts and bolt the standoff to the bracket (don’t forget the threadlock). Once this is done, it is time to mount the bracket to the heli. This mounting position may vary from heli to heli, the way I have illustrated it is for a Raptor or Stinger heli. You will need to remove the upper motor mount bolt and use it to secure the bracket to the frame, as seen below, again do not forget your threadlock.

http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/7955f813fe84d9bcb8b908acf7ee2305.jpg

I like to install the header to the pipe before bolting it up to the motor, this way I can make sure the o-rings get in right and aren’t hammered. The easiest way I have found to get the header into the pipe is to first gently rock the first o-ring inside the pipe. Now your second o-ring will be resting on the lip. What has worked for me at this point is to place the header on a flat surface and gently press the whole pipe down on it – as straight as possible. If you press it down square, the o-ring will go in straight. Just check your work as you go and you will get it. The completed assembly should look like this.

http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/c36375c69b3dd629a9d02bb2ac3210d1.jpg

The clamping system is where the SB-50 fails us a little bit. The included clamps are cheap looking and the included nuts and bolts don’t quite cut it for me. I replace all the bolts but one (the standoff isn’t tapped that deep) with 14mm ones and then use locknuts in the place of the standard ones included.

The next step is simple; you bolt the header to the motor using loctite and whatever gasket method you prefer. Next, place one clamp behind the pipe and the other in front and line them up with the standoff. Specifically, line up the rear hole of the clamps with the threaded portion of the standoff. You need to place a couple of washers between the clamp halves as you put in the M3 bolts. Loosely attach the clamps to the standoff and to eachother on top. Next, on the bottom of the clamps, I like to use old Raptor bushings (the bronze guys) instead of a stack of washers to space the clamps apart. Place one bushing between the clamps at each bolt point and then put the bolts and locknuts on. If you don’t use some spacers in the clamp, you run the risk of crushing the pipe as the clamps are VERY tight. Check the alignment of everything and then tighten all the bolts up at this point. Attach your deflector and tank pressure line and you will be done!! See pics below.

http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/c87139c22cfc815c03d49fa5bffa7bd5.jpg
http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/31ed25251af0dae1c21293f2fa33ed79.jpg

This pipe is awesome in flight. The noticeable power increase and smooth running characteristics cause a “perma-grin” to appear on the pilot. The pipe runs well from idle to full throttle. I noticed an immediate and large power increase on my heli from just installing this pipe. Climbout speed is now close to a 90 sized ship!! The sweet, quiet sound the heli makes on this pipe is just a bonus, but worth mentioning.

This pipe is a real winner, and although it is expensive and has a cheap mounting system, I highly recommend it. Thumbs up to Hatori and Jason for this pipe.

rcmike
09-22-2005, 09:30 PM
Great review! I just got mine today and I hope it works as well as yours.

NolanManley
09-23-2005, 08:14 AM
Excellent job on the review. I have only one reservation to your review procedure.

The clamping system is where the SB-50 fails us a little bit. The included clamps are cheap looking and the included nuts and bolts don’t quite cut it for me. I replace all the bolts but one (the standoff isn’t tapped that deep) with 14mm ones and then use locknuts in the place of the standard ones included.

By not using the pipe as it was delivered you have not given us a accurate review of the pipe as it is delivered to anyone who buys it.
If you use the parts in the package and then have to change something due to failure, that's way more informative than modifying the item as delivered.
I'm Not busting your balls here. I've seen the swapping of components by MANY other reviewers in magazines and it's not a TRUE representation of the product. ;) I usually ignore those that review that way as it's just not helping the average guy or those who sell the product.

Your effort is appreciated.

RCHeliJim
09-23-2005, 09:55 AM
By not using the pipe as it was delivered you have not given us a accurate review of the pipe as it is delivered to anyone who buys it.
If you use the parts in the package and then have to change something due to failure, that's way more informative than modifying the item as delivered.
I'm Not busting your balls here. I've seen the swapping of components by MANY other reviewers in magazines and it's not a TRUE representation of the product. I usually ignore those that review that way as it's just not helping the average guy or those who sell the product.


Not to disagree with you, but I feel that in this instance I did not misrepresent the product in anyway. In fact my honesty on a product usually gets me in trouble ;). THe "mods" I made to the pipe are only replaced fasteners - for my peace of mind - not really "mods" at all. The pipe still works EXACTLY as stock and I feel I am giving as true a reresentation as possible on the product. Basically, since the parts I switched out are free and available in nearly every flightbox - I dont see the issue. If someone were to follow my install instructions and just use the stock nuts and screws, they would have the same outcome as I as far as performance goes. THe only difference is that they would use more loctite :D. But, I do see your point, but I think the job of a reviewer is also to find what flaws are in the product, make people aware of those flaws, and give them options to fix them, especially with safety issues. Anyways, thanks for the feedback and I will DEFINITELY take your advice into consideration for my next review.

If you use the parts in the package and then have to change something due to failure, that's way more informative than modifying the item as delivered.

Also, as I buy these items I review for myself, a failure will mean my crashed or damaged heli and could also cause an unsafe situation. Just like you guys, I am an average pilot - and I try to keep my machines as safe as possible. I see the stock bolts and nuts with this pipe as a possible failure point (especially if one forgets the loctite on the little nuts)- and like any of you would - I try to rectify problems before they happen. Having this pipe fly off in flight on my heli may inform you, but I dont see why it would be more beneficial to a reader to learn of this flaw because of a failure intead of a pre-build find? I think my build procedure will help people install these pipes safely and securely and gets rid of a possible failure point at no extra cost or work.

Thanks again, Jim

NolanManley
09-23-2005, 02:59 PM
I guess I should have noticed that you voluntarily bought the item and shared your experience with it. For that I'm grateful and I totally see your point on not wanting to damage your heli by a less desirable hardware setup.

I guess that I would like to see the guys that get FREE stuff to do reviews, review it as it is and if they see a problem or issue evolve, FIX IT!

In your situation you did the best thing.

Thanks again, :D

rcmike
09-25-2005, 07:23 AM
I put mine together right before the funfly in Tullahoma, TN. I richened the needle up before hand and didn't get to test it before going. I flew a couple of flights and couldn't get the mixture right. It was too rich and then I got it too lean. I came home and richened it up and at first it was too rich. I leaned it a few clicks and then it was perfect! It was more powerful than my previous one piece Hatori and the engine ran much cooler. I am happy with it now. I guess I learned a valuable lesson, when your heli is flying fine don't change major things before a funfly!

montarok
09-25-2005, 11:14 PM
oneinnesja, thanks a million for this review, it help me see what I did wrong installing mine. Thanks again. :wink: :noteworthy

RCHeliJim
09-26-2005, 04:37 PM
Thanks for the kind words :) Glad it could help someone. - Jim

dorfmann
09-30-2005, 05:45 PM
I didn't like the fact the only 1 fastener was used at the frame. What I did was:

Used the bottom 2 bolts to the frame by using the single hole side as one and drilling the other. This allowed good alignment for the clamp to the inside hole of the double hole end (cut the rest). I had to remove a little frame material to allow the bracket to pass verticly down, hole to hole.

The reason for this is the way that it tells tou to do it, will allow the pipe to move verticly (bracket rotating on 2 opposing bolts). I didn't think that this would be good. Now I feel that I could pick the bird up by the pipe, which helps me sleep at night... :lol:

Also, it looks a little better. You can't see the stand-off, because it is on the bottom. :glasses2: :smokin:

montarok
09-30-2005, 08:14 PM
I didn't like the fact the only 1 fastener was used at the frame. What I did was:

Used the bottom 2 bolts to the frame by using the single hole side as one and drilling the other. This allowed good alignment for the clamp to the inside hole of the double hole end (cut the rest). I had to remove a little frame material to allow the bracket to pass verticly down, hole to hole.

The reason for this is the way that it tells tou to do it, will allow the pipe to move verticly (bracket rotating on 2 opposing bolts). I didn't think that this would be good. Now I feel that I could pick the bird up by the pipe, which helps me sleep at night... :lol:

Also, it looks a little better. You can't see the stand-off, because it is on the bottom. :glasses2: :smokin:

Can you post a picture?

Kinger
11-28-2005, 09:03 AM
Ok, I'm about to break down and order one of these pipes for my Evo, but could somebody refresh my memory on something? During my last crash, I slightly bent the two long bolts that attach the muffler (in this case the MP2) to the OS50. What I can't remember is whether or not these bolts came with my Hyper or if they were packed with my MP2. Wondering if I'll get a replacement set with the Hatori purchase or if I have to buy a spare set elsewhere.

pilotError
11-28-2005, 09:55 AM
You get 2 new ones with the SB-50.

I have only one metal tab connecting the muffler and it works just fine. I still like TMoore's mount, but I've already survived a crash with it this way, no problems so far.

Mike...

ATLProfessor
12-02-2005, 06:32 PM
I was about to purchase this pipe, and I was wondering if you needed to use the hardware to actually bolt the pipe to the frame, or can you just connect it to the engine only.

Evan.... :?:

TerryBelanger
12-02-2005, 07:27 PM
It needs to be bolted to the frame. This pipe has a header that you mount to the engine. The rest of the pipe "plugs" into the header using 2 O rings. the Mount keeps th actually pipe part from comming off the header during manuevers.

The pipe comes with everything you need to mount it correctly

Kinger
12-02-2005, 08:38 PM
Ordered mine the other day and am looking forward to trying it out.

TMoore
12-03-2005, 01:40 AM
I machined a mount for mine:

http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/3605e9a9195f19d4f4b65af7b2da9b96.jpg

http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/762ead4ada9ed68d9364853ebd07e8ed.jpg

http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/2b2a458f9b3d459fc2e14f99164117c4.jpg

http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/0cafefe76898bde9ca9b6f87fbae56b2.jpg
TM

WillJames
12-03-2005, 05:57 AM
Terry, you should know by now that Mark blocks links to RR from here. Any chance you could attach the pics to your post here?

Kinger
12-03-2005, 07:43 AM
Still hoping you might consider making those mounts for the general public Terry :) Sexy...........

TMoore
12-03-2005, 12:02 PM
I am going to make 25 of these mounts when I finalise the design. The EVO design is going into it's 3rd revision.

In the case of the Raptor there is a bunch of plastic that I have to avoid to keep from hacking up the frames.

Will,

I will upload some pics to my gallery and go from there.

Terry

WillJames
12-03-2005, 02:34 PM
Thank you Terry. Use the IMG tag not the URL and they show inline.

Thanks for making these, they look GREAT!!

Kinger
12-03-2005, 05:53 PM
My muffler arrived today........holy smokes is that thing big. The other thing that was surprising is that it feels a good bit lighter than my MP2.

TMoore
12-03-2005, 06:09 PM
Will,

Thanks for fixing my post. Looks much better.

I will order 100 standoff's on monday and delivery will be 4-5 weeks because they are custom machined. By the time they arrive I should have the second prototype of the Raptor mount built and then I will machine up a bunch and put them in the packages. Target price should be around $20-25.

Terry

WillJames
12-03-2005, 06:27 PM
No a bad price at all for a very nice machined mount Terry. Excellent!!

cranium
12-04-2005, 09:45 AM
Just ordered mine today. :)

RCHeliJim
12-05-2005, 03:52 PM
Great mount for sure!! Looks great, may I be put on the list for one? Thanks - Jim