100hp class Experimental LSA engine shootout

[Zzz]

There's been a lot of talk lately in various specific kit-related threads about engine choices for the experimental light bush plane class. The powerplants available range from 80hp to 130hp, and target the weight range of generally 2-seat aircaft with max gross weight less than 1600 lbs.

What do we have? Here are a few purpose-built aircraft engines. I've chosen to ignore the auto conversions.

Rotax 912 ULS (80 or 100hp, experimental only, Austria)
http://www.rotax-aircraft-engines.com/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-62/85_read-69/

Notable: liquid cooled heads, electronic ignition, dual carburetors, and gearbox.



Continental O-200 (100hp, experimental,certified USA/China?)
http://www.genuinecontinental.aero/o-200.html

Notable: Tried and true design, lighter than original O-200


Jabiru 3300 (120hp, experimental only, Australia)
http://www.jabiru.net.au/6%20cylinderbodyFrame-1.htm

Notable: ?
[img]http://www.jabiru.net.au/Engines/6cylinder/6cyc-fine-fin-Jabiru-engine.gif[/img]


ULPower 350i (118hp, experimental only, Belgium)
http://www.ulpower.com/engines/ul350i/index.html

Notable: Fuel injected, FADEC, electronic ignition (no mags or breaker points)



Rotec R2800 (110hp, experimental only, Australia)
http://www.rotecradialengines.com/0RotecR2800/R2800.htm

[dirtstrip]

While not completely up to date on the price listing, it may have some comparative value. These are the main ones.
Manufacturer Title Displacement Price Basic Weight Installed Weight Power TBO Fuel Type Freshness Date
Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft 2200a 134.00cu in $13,900 85hp 2000hrs 100LL 14 Nov 2008
Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft 3300 202.00cu in 178lbs 120hp 2000hrs 100LL 14 Nov 2008
Rotax 503 UL 30.31cu in $4,750 69lbs 103lbs 50hp 300hrs
87
91
08 Nov 2008
Rotax 582 UL 35.44cu in $6,250 64lbs 108lbs 65hp 300hrs
87
91
10 Nov 2008
Rotax 912 A/F/UL 73.90cu in $15,600 122lbs 134lbs 81hp 1500hrs
87
90
100LL
10 Nov 2008
Rotax 912 S/ULS 82.60cu in $17,325 125lbs 141lbs 100hp 1500hrs
91
100LL
10 Nov 2008
Rotax 914 F/UL 82.60cu in $28,315 141lbs 167lbs 115hp 1200hrs
91
100LL
10 Nov 2008
Powerplant Dynamics Gemini 100 98.00cu in $18,500 155lbs 191lbs 100hp 2000hrs
Jet A
Diesel
06 Feb 2009
Lycoming IO-233-LSA 200lbs 100hp 2400hrs 14 Nov 2008
Teledyne Continental Motors, Inc. O-200 Lightweight 2001.00cu in $21,499 199lbs 100hp 2000hrs 100LL 08 Jul 2009
Teledyne Continental Motors, Inc. O-200A 201.00cu in 170lbs 100hp 1800hrs
80
87
100LL
14 Nov 2008
Teledyne Continental Motors, Inc. O-200D 215lbs 249lbs 06 Feb 2009
ULPower UL 260i 158.00cu in $16,250 160lbs 95hp 1000hrs
87
91
100LL
14 Jan 2009
Wilksch Airmotive Ltd. WAM-100 218lbs 262lbs 100hp 1000hrs
Jet A
Diesel
14 Nov 2008
Wilksch Airmotive Ltd. WAM-120 $23,700 220lbs 280lbs 120hp 1000hrs
Jet A
Diesel
14 Nov 2008
Usage: This table is sortable by column, simply click on the heading to sort.

Disclaimer: The information in this chart is intended for research and general use only. Some data is drawn from 3rd parties and pending verification. Any technical data for purchase, repair, performance calculations or other official purposes should be obtained from a certified source.

[Zzz]

Dirtstrip, could you please provide a link to that page?

[dirtstrip]

It looks better in color anyway. One that is missing is a bolt on replacement for the Rotax 914, a 100hp turbo diesel by Vulcan that I saw once but can't find up to date info on anymore but looked promising.

http://www.aviationbull.com/light-sport ... comparison

[gbflyer]

Excellent info. Thanks.

[behindpropellers]

It sure is tough to beat the simplicity and affordability of the little continentals. It would be great to see a modern FI system for the 0-200.


Tim

[dirtstrip]

While not quite a clean sheet aircraft design, this is close. 100 hp under 10K

http://www.aeromaxaviation.com/aeromax- ... aft-engine

[WWhunter]

I noticed on another aviation site that the lycoming O-233 recently made its first flight. I have also been looking at this engine since it was first displayed a few years ago at Oshkosh. Basically a "lightened" O-235. It had electronic ignition and just about everything trimmed on it to reduce weigth but I cant remember if it had a carb or FI.
Nice thing is it has a TBO of 2400Hrs.
WW

[GroundLooper]

It sure is tough to beat the simplicity and affordability of the little continentals. It would be great to see a modern FI system for the 0-200.


Tim

I haven't crunched the numbers on any of these, but don't forget to calculate in expected fuel burn for each, a gallon per hour less burn could add up to significant savings. Low TBO could also ad a fair per hour cost.

[RDUStinson]

Great thread! But don't forget the all important "sounds like an airplane" category, which the ROTEC would be at the top of, Rotax at the bottom...

(No offense to Rotax owners- I hear it's a great engine!)

[dirtstrip]

Here's the sound of that Rotec in a Kitfox

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtAo4JQM ... re=related

[dirtstrip]

Here's the 100hp 912 Rotax, three blade prop on a Zenair

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Cn_X-HYb6g

[dirtstrip]

Jabiru 3300

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp5qW1p8 ... re=related

[dirtstrip]

O-200 powered Highlander

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKqvu_J8LD0

[dirtstrip]

WAM (Wilke Air Motive) 120 Three cylinder, inverted, turbo- diesel two stroke engine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vynMdbHv ... re=related

[EZFlap]

Don't know if this thread is specifically limited to 4 stroke engines.

If 2 strokes are allowed in this discussion, the Simonini Victor 2+ puts out 110HP and weighs a lot less than the other choices.

[dirtstrip]

Sound of the UL Power 260i.
This is an unusual first flight for homebuilt aircraft. Extreme climb angle, even for a 750 Zenair. I never did that on my first flights.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7vWxm4J09E

[dirtstrip]

Sound of the Simonini Victor 2Plus. 2stroke, 102hp. 600hr TBO.

Note from my own experience with 92hp version... A lower tone than most 2 strokes with torque coming in at low end for wider powerband. Notice the huge individually tuned mufflers. Engine does not eight cycle at idle, it four cycles, so it is smoother with less vibration. Mine used 2.5-3 gallons per hour. Oil must be mixed in the gas, no oil injection available. Bolt patterns match the Rotax 582.

This one is strapped to an inner tube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsviGpy82fg

[hotrod150]

Keep in mind that the Lyc & Continental can be bought used. Never seen any of those others on the used market, except maybe NIB & high-priced from a would-be homebuilder that didn't. A good used O-200 can be found pretty cheaply sometimes, or maybe better yet a lighter C-85-8 (non-electric). One of these small Continental 4-bangers would be my choice, or maybe a Jabiru 3300 if I had plenty in the budget for an engine.

[hotrod150]

While not quite a clean sheet aircraft design, this is close. 100 hp under 10K

http://www.aeromaxaviation.com/aeromax- ... aft-engine

This seems worth looking at: a Corvair-based engine with 100hp from 164 cubic inches at 3200 rpm-- about halfway between the jabiru 2200 & 3300.
A high-quality VW-based engine would also be worth looking at. Both are very similar to "real" airplane engines like the O-200, O-235, etc : air-cooled, direct drive, opposed cylinders, etc. (can you tell I'm not big on water cooling, reduction drives, twin carbs, and other "busy" features?)