I've gone through a few motors: I have some 20A and 30A esc's, I've been only ordering the 30a lately as they only weigh a couple grams more than the 20A and the price is hardly different it makes an easier upgrade on pods/planes if i switch motors I don't have to switch esc's too. I use an HK101 only to check amps to make sure props don't over draw the motors or esc's (highly recommended!) most of these motors clock in in the mid teen's to low twenties for the motor/prop combo.
turnigy D2822 1450KV with a 8x4 SF prop or 7x5e apc prop - that combo in my opinion is a step between the beef motors and the blue wonder. i've used the 9x4.7 sf props on the old fogey and speedster since they are happy at 1/2 throttle this motor wont burn up swing that 9" prop
turnigy d2826 1400kv motor 8x4 prop all the way, used it on the spitfire, bloody wonder, Mustang, FT22, and Versa wing. it's not quite the Beef motor but think it's a close second. it's $10 at HK and 8x4 are super cheap nearly always in stock and easy to find. (my favorite pick for the FT planes for performance and efficiency
NTM 2826 1200kv motor - 8x6 prop. tried 8x4 and 9x6 but found mine liked the 8x6 the best. couldn't go vertical with the spit fire but had plenty of power to have a great time, also super efficient, I usually only fly about 10 minutes but I could usually get that with a 1500mah battery though I most often used the 2200mah because the extra blast allows it to fly better in stronger winds.
hextronic 24g 1300kv motor - despite FT's recommendations of 9x4.7 props on many of their builds with this motor, I have bee most happily flying it with a 7x5 APCe prop I actually have an 80% ft flyer with this setup flying on a 2s 850mah battery it scoots around pretty quick and is a ton of fun to fly.
Exceed RC Rocket 2220 (2836 equivalent?) 1380kv motor - this was supposed to be my Beef motor but I think it is over spec'd. It does however pull my mustang around pretty well with a 8x6e prop, it's faster than the ntm motor but i think should be faster.
Turnigy D2836 1100Kv - using 11x4 on blunt nose versa wing - this has been a night mare, I read a thrust test that put this and a 10x6 prop as the preferred props for the motor however on my BNV it generates too much power and rips the motor mount off the plane mid flight (has happened 3+times) last attempt to fly my BNV it tore up the FT elements mount before I could let go on a hand launch. when it comes loose the power of the prop hitting the plane actually snaps the colet adapter (2xtimes, more in the mail soon!) I using a new motor mount from home depot :
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Simpson-Strong-Tie-A21Z-Z-MAX-Galvanized-18-Gauge-Angle-A21Z/100375047 I just lined up the motor mount marked the holes and drilled out. I'm still working on a solid mount to the plane but I know this mount wont come apart on me
Turnigy 2830 1000kv motor 9x6e APC prop- I put this on a FT Bloody wonder that is too heavy built with adams foam board from walmart, the plane is tough as nails but the DTFB ones fly so much better, but with this combo it will go verticle! it was drawing 14 amps at WOT on a 9x4.7 but the 9x6 runs so much better though I haven't checked amp draw yet i don't expect it will be more than 20a
so if you took the time to read all that, i have not personally thrust tested any of these only checked amp draw with the HK 101. all thrusts tests i looked up on line. I can say that on several of the motors I tried different props and noticed a decrease in actual flight performance and switched back to what is listed above.
Final thought - with the exception of the 2836 1100kv motor. it is MY OPINION that the other motors make great starter motors (24g hextronic & D2822 1450kv) and transition motors (D2826 1400kv - ntm 2826 1200kv) with the FT planes. the 2826's are a small step down from the BEEF motor that FT recommends but if you are not proficient with handling your air frame you probably aren't ready for a BEEF size motor. start with one of the ones I have listed or something similar, 2826 is a great size and is flexible on most all of the FT planes. the higer KV the smaler prop and remember that not all the FT planes need to go fast to fly well. Some air frames need a certain size prop to clear the grass, teh FT cruiser needs a 9" or smaller or it hits the fuse, keep that stuff in mind you might need a smaller or larger prop for some purpose, but a good motor that will spin the right prop with out being over prop'd
-Jes
