Van's Air Force
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Alternative engines forum or workshop at airventure?
- Thread starter BobK
- Start date
Ed_Wischmeyer
Well Known Member
The forums schedule is still being worked on.
You can start here..... https://www.kitplanes.com/2021-engine-buyers-guide-rotary-wankel/
rmarshall234
Well Known Member
Tom Wilson wrote a fantastic article for Kit Planes listing dozens and dozens of alternative engines and the pros and cons. The one I read was more than a year ago but I think he writes it annually.
Insurance plans?
I learned quite a bit about the challenges of insuring experimentals from a 2020 "Insurance Roundtable" hosted by Kitplanes.
One takeaway: alternative engines add to the cost (and lower availability?) of insurance.
YMMV
https://www.kitplanes.com/insurance-for-experimental-aircraft-roundtable/
I learned quite a bit about the challenges of insuring experimentals from a 2020 "Insurance Roundtable" hosted by Kitplanes.
One takeaway: alternative engines add to the cost (and lower availability?) of insurance.
YMMV
https://www.kitplanes.com/insurance-for-experimental-aircraft-roundtable/
Mark33
Well Known Member
Yamaha engine
Have you been following any of Teal’s post with regards to the Yamaha engine conversion he did on his -9? He’s really experiencing excellent performance and reliability out of his setup. Yamaha engines are becoming more and more popular in the experimental world because of the reliable horsepower they produce along with how economical they are to purchase and operate. I really wish someone would come up with a FWF package for a Yamaha conversion on RV’s. People are begging for an alternative to Lycoming and I think a huge market is being overlooked here. If I were a fabricator, I can promise you I’d produce one. Teal simply modified the stock Vans engine mount to accommodate the Yamaha which really simplified his installation. Once again, if you haven’t read any of his post, I encourage you to do so. He may be going to Oshkosh, so you may be able to see his airplane in person if you’re going as well. Here are a few interesting YouTube videos of Teal being interviewed.
https://youtu.be/99zvYZzk16k
https://youtu.be/0CeAsDzao_c
https://youtu.be/Er8tCvHmVUM
Have you been following any of Teal’s post with regards to the Yamaha engine conversion he did on his -9? He’s really experiencing excellent performance and reliability out of his setup. Yamaha engines are becoming more and more popular in the experimental world because of the reliable horsepower they produce along with how economical they are to purchase and operate. I really wish someone would come up with a FWF package for a Yamaha conversion on RV’s. People are begging for an alternative to Lycoming and I think a huge market is being overlooked here. If I were a fabricator, I can promise you I’d produce one. Teal simply modified the stock Vans engine mount to accommodate the Yamaha which really simplified his installation. Once again, if you haven’t read any of his post, I encourage you to do so. He may be going to Oshkosh, so you may be able to see his airplane in person if you’re going as well. Here are a few interesting YouTube videos of Teal being interviewed.
https://youtu.be/99zvYZzk16k
https://youtu.be/0CeAsDzao_c
https://youtu.be/Er8tCvHmVUM
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Bob, what are you looking for ? Up to 150hp there are plenty of reliable options. Over 150 its not quite so clear a picture.
Would 150hp be enough ? The Honda R18 engine that is used in Civics, HR-V is good for 150hp and a very reliable and cheap to buy engine.. My example with 9500 miles cost a bit over $600. It has port injectors and a single exhaust port so the exhaust would be dead simple. You could buy 2 backup engines and still be under $3k.
Even the RX-8 has been out of production now for some time. Building a rotary from scratch is not inexpensive anymore.
Would 150hp be enough ? The Honda R18 engine that is used in Civics, HR-V is good for 150hp and a very reliable and cheap to buy engine.. My example with 9500 miles cost a bit over $600. It has port injectors and a single exhaust port so the exhaust would be dead simple. You could buy 2 backup engines and still be under $3k.
Even the RX-8 has been out of production now for some time. Building a rotary from scratch is not inexpensive anymore.
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Suggest you subscribe to [email protected] (and look at archives).
From time to time you'll see entire packages (engine, PSRU, ECU) for sale. Typically someone who bought a flying RV with a rotary package in it and wanted to put a Lycoming in it. Or someone who never finished the project.
Again, unless you like to tinker and have the patience, don't do it. Or have more time than money. Like me
Finn
From time to time you'll see entire packages (engine, PSRU, ECU) for sale. Typically someone who bought a flying RV with a rotary package in it and wanted to put a Lycoming in it. Or someone who never finished the project.
Again, unless you like to tinker and have the patience, don't do it. Or have more time than money. Like me
Finn
