Jabiru 3300 RV-3

Lucky Clover · #1 10-21-2012, 03:57 PM

Just ordered my rv3 kit. Will mostly be using it for cross country trips. The jabiru is 120hp but is much lighter than the other suggested engines. Will I have to worry about my cg?

gasman · #2 10-21-2012, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky Clover

Just ordered my rv3 kit. Will mostly be using it for cross country trips. The jabiru is 120hp but is much lighter than the other suggested engines. Will I have to worry about my cg?

Yes. So why don't you just use an 150 Lyc?

Lucky Clover · #3 10-21-2012, 04:35 PM

Having to build on tight budget. Can get a new jabiru with fwf for $24000

Alschief · #4 10-21-2012, 04:46 PM

Suggest you give the UL Power a look
It is a fine power plant.

David Paule · #5 10-21-2012, 04:48 PM

You can get a used Lycoming for less....

I flew behind a Jabiru 3300 recently and was impressed by it. The only part I didn't like was its Aerovee carb. Can't see any reason to have one of those. But the engine was smooth and powerful, light and small. Started instantly.

It's roughly 80 to 100 pounds lighter than the Lycomings, and that's bound to introduce some CG issues. If you move the engine forward, you're moving the prop forward and that reduces stability. It's not exactly a slam dunk. But if you can bring it off, you'll find a number of people interested in it.

Dave

Lucky Clover · #6 10-21-2012, 05:08 PM

The jabiru is highly supported and easily installed. Have been looking over the rv3 layout. Considering the ways to move the cg forward without having to relocate the engine forward.

JDRhodes · #7 10-22-2012, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky Clover

Having to build on tight budget. Can get a new jabiru with fwf for $24000

We spent $10K on a mid time FWF Lycoming WITH and prop and baffle and exhaust. And it fit right on the RV mount and inside the RV cowling with no engineering. Is it brand new? No, but I haven't given it a second thought since it went on, the CG was right from Day 1, and with 1,100 hours to TBO, it'll probably give 10-15 years of flying.

I wouldn't consider a $24,000 engine if I was "building on a tight budget." Especially not an "alternative" engine.

David Paule · #8 10-22-2012, 10:42 AM

The Sonex props might be reasonable starting places.

The cooling can be dealt with. A friend flies the 3300 and has had oil cooling issues but not cylinder head issues.

The main issues will be the CG and the new cowling.

Dave

N941WR · #9 10-21-2012, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky Clover

...Will I have to worry about my cg?

Yes but since you will need a custom engine mount anyway, have it made longer
Your bigger issue will be controlling the high CHT's the Jabirus are becoming known for.

rph142 · #10 10-21-2012, 06:37 PM

Moving the cg forward wont be too tough. If I were you I would extend the .032 front side skins, floor, and top skin. You have to cut all of these pieces to size anyway, so it won't take any longer to cut them longer.