I made post on them for over a year
osxuser said:
I like their idea, but it is more expensive then the lycoming again, so why go with it? It seems to defy logic to take simple aircooled lyc, add water cooling (and therefore a radiator) and one more pump to fail, for what? More drag from water cooling and a few more HP, which you could probably pick up from a IO-390 with EI anyway. Again, I like their idea, but the price would have to go down quite a bit.
Why? So you can make it sound like a Subaru and have the head ache of dealing with a radiator installation, extra weight and increased drag.
Seriously
The RV is a tough nut to crack. There is little or no room in the compact cowl. The airframe is set in stone, bar any major custom structural changes. Water cooling is great for the engine but not the airframe installation and drag with out serious engineering, like the P-51. Unfortunately the P-51 was designed for a 380kt airplane, not a 180 kt plane.
If you read the Eggenfellner West thread, it progressed to a discussion of difficulties in plumbing a low drag radiator installation for any water cooled plane, in particular RV's.
I think it is cool (Pun Intended).
if I had a glass pusher airplane, where I could make big huge NACA scoops and glass in some cool radiator plenum I would consider it if so inclined.
With that said I have been posting the cool jug link in several posts for over a year. Why no one has jumped I don't know. I recall the cost, $12K vs $3.6k for air-cooled jugs. I don't think that comes with the radiator, radiator installation, some but not all hoses, cowl mod and piston rings?
Until they get a whole kit for a spacific airframe that you can bolt in, its not going to be popular. For certified planes I don't see it. I don't see any mention of STC installations.
Yes its expensive @ $8.4k for just cylinders, which requires pistons and another couple $1000's for extra parts and 100's of hours of custom work with unknown results; I can see why it has not took off (pun intended).
Too many unknowns.
Technical neat-ness is one thing but it has to be practical. I think cool jugs are well done. It is like an invention that is cool but has no application. However some day the application is found and the invention is brilliant. Until than it is just cool.
The last argument on the alternative engine front was the beauty of the ECU on a Subaru. Well as long as you have electrical power or wire does not fall off or computer fry. Add the fact you need to replace the O2 sender if you use aviation gas (about all you find at airports). Also before I get hate mail I checked the price of Mogas (car gas available at airports), and it is not universally cheaper than 100/100LL. In fact it is more expensive some times, but Mogas availability is spotty at best to nonexistent. I guess you can add lead savaging additive at fill up, but handling caustic chemicals is not my thing. It is like adding oil to the gas (like a two stroke) with Wankel engines.
Any way take care. George
