I looked at using auto engines in my Europa - the applications (car versus
airplane) are just so different. While the base cost of these converted en
gines seems attractive, the problems soon run the cost (and the aggravation
) far above the cost of a Rotax - just started my 912S and am impressed wi
th it. Like all German/Austria equipment, if maintained by the book, they s
eem to run forever. After nine years of building the last thing I want is t
o experiment with an engine generally backed by an undercapitalized entrepr
eneur.
If you are just starting your build, my advice is to wait to buy. One never
knows how long it will take to build and any savings in buying the engine
earlier (prices do go up with inflation) are eaten up in maintenance on dr
ied-out o-rings and required updates that are standard for new engines. I l
ooked at the 912S when I started the build in 2003 and it was $15K or so li
st, and in 2010 bought my engine for $23K (with all the bits and shipping).
This is about a 6% increase a year. But the engine is far superior to the
2003 engines (the U.S. Army required a bunch of very good changes) and Rota
x improved the engine in other ways. Several other people that bought early
(and cheaper) are paying more in the long run for an inferior early engine
.
Gary Leinberger
A237
Hope to fly this spring.
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-europa-list-serv
er@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Peter Zutrauen
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 8:24 AM
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Viking Aircraft engine
fwiw, I've subscribed to his email group list and have been watching the ba
nter with interest. I too have heard not-to-good things about the fellow. H
is on-line demeanor, and his answers to my in-person questions to him at Os
h two years ago suggest arrogance.
My issues with the design are 1- the prop turns the 'wrong' way. 2- he uses
a rubber coupler in an attempt to deal with harmonic resonances, and from
my EAA chapter colleagues experiences (with other redrives) and also my res
earch on this topic, this damper will not be able to dissipate the power at
the resonance peak (typically at lower rpms and power settings.... just ab
ove idle) for any extended durations. When asked about this design he didn'
t really answer it other than stating that the built-in fan 'blades' in the
starter ring gear were designed to cool it.
I think the Honda block has promise tho - it's the same engine that is race
d in the amateur leagues, and also the same one they use in their outboard
marine engines.
Time will tell I guess whether his installation is more sound than his prev
ious efforts with the Subarus
Cheers,
Pete
On Fri, Jan 27, 2012 at 7:27 AM, William Daniell <wdaniell@etb.net.co<mailt
o:wdaniell@etb.net.co>> wrote:
ailto:wdaniell@etb.net.co>>
Yes I too looked at this option but as garry points out, and without knowin
g
Eggenfelner, I saw a lot of negative stuff on the web and also you see quit
e
a few of his engines for sale...being changed out for something else. This
generates a significant degree of caution in me at least. He might well
have got it right this time.
I think the base Honda fit engine is a very interesting powerplant and the
volume and quality control is unlikely to have the manufacturing problems
that the aviation manufacturers have like dodgy cranks but I am personally
am not up for the experimentation process required to get it flying.
There was a chap flying in Canada whose name escapes me with a Honda/CAM100
.
Will
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com<mailto:owner-europa-list-serve
r@matronics.com>
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com<mailto:owner-europa-list-ser
ver@matronics.com>] On Behalf Of Garry Stout
Sent: 26 January, 2012 20:54
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Viking Aircraft engine
to:garrys@tampabay.rr.com>>
This engine is being sold by Eggenfeller.........formerly selling the Subar
u
engine conversions. Those Subaru engines turned out to be completely
unreliable and downright dangerous. I know nothing about his latest
project, the Honda conversion, but based on his previous engines, I wouldn'
t
trust him. Google his name and you'll get a real education.
Garry Stout
Sent from my iPad
On Jan 26, 2012, at 1:18 PM, William McClellan <wilwood@earthlink.net<mailt
o:wilwood@earthlink.net>>
wrote:
<wilwood@earthlink.net<mailto:wilwood@earthlink.net>>
>
> Bud or anyone,
> This seems to be a very nice engine for the Europa, a Viking Honda
aircraft engine. The Viking shop in in Edgewater, FL. Do you know anythin
g
about this engine? It is the Honda 1500 cc, 117 hp, 6300 rpm max, 2.33/1
reduction drive, fuel injected, liquid cooled, 178 lb dry weight, fully
developed package for aircraft use. The package includes 40A Alternator,
Dual Engine controllers, Exhaust / Muffler, Air intake, K&N Filter,
Starter, Radiator, Oil cooler, fuel pumps and Engine mounting for your
airplane. The engine is fully assembled. $13,000 Looks like a very
good alternative to the Rotax. They haven't yet but likely to develop retr
o
fitable turbo-charge down the road.
> Thanks,
> Bill McClellan
>
>
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