On Sep 20, 2010, at 6:15 PM, Cleve Lee wrote:
> Still plan to build the bird to meet LSA specs though.
>
> Anyone have any comments on the Honda Fit/Jazz engine conversion?
Cleve,
I do not consider myself to be an "engine guy", and by that I mean to
say that I have no breadth nor depth of knowledge, but as you've asked
for "comments", I do have some opinions. Others may have differing
opinions (as well as real expertise)!
I have no reason to doubt that the 1.4L Honda Fit engine is a superb
engine, and Eggenfellner (I've seen some of his videos) seems to know
what he's doin with the exception of his treatment of the radiator
setup. IMO, it appears that Eggenfellner is putting together a generic
setup with a large radiator which may be problematic for the Europa
and which ignores what I believe is a fundemental requirement for 100%
liquid-cooled aircraft engines, namely, properly contoured inlet and
exit ducting for the radiator. Location of the radiator(s) is key to
allowing for inlet air to expand (and slow down), ensure non-turbulent
airflow, and radiator efficiency...location must also allow for exit
ducting to accelerate as it enters the airflow around the airframe,
preferably in a zone of low pressure. But if the Eggenfellner engine/
PSRU serves, perhaps the radiator set up can be altered to suit.
Glenn Crowder flies his Classic w/ a beautiful cowl which incorporates
an inlet (and I think ducting setup) for a single large radiator (for
his Sube).
Alex Bowman flies his XS mono w/ a Honda derivative, the CAM
125...back in 2004 I posted some pixs of his plane on the Europa-list,
matronics-photoshare which may be a useful datapoint. The pixs show a
twin radiator setup w/ excellent inlet/exit ducting. That engine is an
earlier 1.6L Honda fitted w/ a belt-drive PSRU; it was built by an
outfit in Canada called Firewall Forward Aero Engines which has gone
out of business. The FFAE website is still up and may direct you to
new owners who contacted me recently saying that they were going to
resume production and use the Honda Fit engine, but as of this moment,
I would not call them a "going concern".
As I recall, the Eggenfellner Honda Fit setup weighs 207
pounds...which would not bode well for your intentions to have your
plane comply w/ LSA limitations. With a Europa-LSA, why would you not
consider the 80 hp Rotax 912?
Your mileage may vary,
Fred
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