Quite agree. Michel Colomban spent two years developing the engine
installation for his Ban-bi. That's probably not as long as he spent on the
airframe but none the less if it takes him two years how long would it take
mere mortals?
Jerry
LTS@avnet.co.uk
http://www.avnet.co.uk/touchdown
----- Original Message -----
From: Nigel Charles <72016.3721@compuserve.com>
Subject: Re: Engine options
> Message text written by INTERNET:clevelee@cswebmail.com
> >'m going through the same soul searching for my Mono XS. Have you
visited
> Bart & Henks engine web page yet? Good links there. The Jabiru 3300
looks
> real nice, but it doesn't have the hours on it that the smaller engine
has.
> I'm looking closely at the Stratus EA81 Subaru conversion. This appears
to
> be a well designed unit that has a decent safety record (unlike the NSI).
> Drawback is 200 lbs installed (about 40 more than the 912S). On the
upside,
> it has about 15% more torque, runs more smoothly, (mostly)off the shelf
> parts and costs 15% less.
> Other interesting option that I don't hear much about is the
Able/Altimizer
> 2.44 Litre VW conversion with 120 HP @ 3000 rpm, 160 lbs direct drive.
> This is a big bore 'slow turning' engine compared to the Jabiru. Again,
> more torque, comparable with the Subaru. Price is about the same as the
> Stratus, major drawback I think is the width of the engine. Don't know
how
> our Europas would look with cowl cheeks. Ables web site is
> http://www.altimizer.com/specs.html
> <
>
> Be aware that the Subaru engine is significantly heavier than the Rotax or
> Jabiru. Here in the UK most builders have moved away from the Subaru
> realising that the extra weight is a significant penalty in an a/c that
was
> designed around the Rotax 912. Now that the 912S is available with 100hp
> there is less reason to consider heavier engines.
>
> Whilst the diesel is the way to go in the future for light aircraft (due
to
> fuel availability, price and fire safety) it is still like the Subaru on
> the heavy side for the Europa.
>
> Having spoken to a Jabiru a/c owner recently owners of these engines might
> like to know that the starter motors in these new engines are
reconditioned
> Nissan units. He found out when his starter failed after 50hrs engine
time.
> When he took it apart it was obvious that this starter had not been
> reconditioned.
>
> If you consider any engine which is new to the Europa it might be worth
> considering Ivan Shaw's comment that it often takes more time and effort
in
> development work matching a new engine to an a/c than it does building the
> airframe in the first place.
>
> Nigel Charles
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