Zenoah G270RC engine (First look)

Here are some specks on the engine.
25.4cc (34mm bore, 28mm stroke) performance machine.
Zenoah took their powerful, reliable G260RC engine and made it even better. Major changes include a 4-bolt cylinder design for improved sealing and reduced gasket blowout (an improvement from the 2-bolt cylinder design of the G260RC)

• Stronger and lighter crankcase.
• an additional crankshaft bearing.
• redesigned cylinder fins for better cooling.
• larger ports.
• the high-performance WT-813 carburetor with accelerator pump as standard equipment.
• a metal-impregnated insulator gasket for a better seal.
• nd modified cylinder hardware to better resist vibration.

This engine offers serious performance.

• 4 transfer port 34mm cylinder,
• Walbro WT-813 carburetor with accelerator pump (15.88mm bore, 12.7mm venturi, independent high and low jets),
• lighter flywheel,
• “hemi”-style combustion chamber,
• full-circle crankshaft.

After opening up the package sent from DDM I took off the shroud and began the once over before starting it up. I made sure all the screws were tight and that all the gaskets were installed. It doesnt hurt to be sure.

From there I mounted it on my engine stand, filled the tank up with fuel and took it outside. I haven’t used a choakles carb before so I was having visions of flooding it out as stock settings due to them being a bit rich. Much to my surprise, after pumping the carb ball that it started up in the 2nd pull and went right to a nice medium idle.

I have decided to heat cycle this engine. This is another first for me. Usually I just mount them up and drive mild for the first tank or two. I was told by a trusted source that this is how they did it , so what the heck Ill try. richen it 1/16th from factory and let it slow idle for 10 minutes and rest for 20. Im now on the 3rd cycle. I was told to do 5 or 6 cycles with it.

Two things that I have noticed as its running is that it has a “Lope” to it at idle that is much more pronounced then the CYs that I have been running as well as the DarkSoul marine conversion. The 2nd thing is that when I start it up its races ar a fairly hefty clip for 2-3 seconds before it settles into an idle. Im guessing this is from the injector pump in the choakless carb. Ill have to do a little research on that.

Its going to a week or so till I have a chance to mount it up in my rig. Once I do and get it up and running for a few tanks Ill report back with more info.

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I have been running the engine now for about 4 tanks of fuel.
Its still getting stronger as time goes on and it loosens up.

For the track we were running she had all the power I needed and more all the way across the RPM range. I pulled the plug this morning (Still using the stock plug) and she was clan as a whistle and a beautiful DARK tan color. She shows no signs of oil leaking or seeping. I think its save to say that shes fully broken in and ready for a good long life.

Not much more to report on it for now. If there are any issues with it down the line I will post them. For now the Zen G270R gets a thumbs up.

I’ve had the engine in my car now for about six months. Out of all the engines that I have. I will have to say that this one impresses me. I must have 5or 6 gallons of fuel through her now and have never experienced one issue with it. I have primarily been running it in my on road autocross Baja and we are getting ready to start our 2009 season. I was doing some road testing with her yesterday and she still has just as much power as ever. As a matter of fact, I don’t remember the last time I ever had to use a screwdriver to tune it. I have no problems in recommending this engine for anybody that’s looking for dependability in a stock engine.