Engine Choices Poll

[Build9A]

There have been many threads concerning the engine choices made by builders. Thought it might be interesting to see how the percentages break out. Please feel free to select a choice even if you haven't actually purchased your engine yet.

As a side note, I chose the Lycoming Factory engine from Vans. I did consider auto conversions early on, but for various reasons ended up with the Lyc. A major factor for me was that I was financing the engine and at least the lenders that I contacted would only loan on a certified engine prop combo. That was 5 or 6 years ago, so things may have changed since.

[claycookiemonster]

Since I live in CT, it's close enough to drive over there and pick it up when the time comes. I've visited the factory and spoken to them alot - very nice people and they've got build options (9:1 pistons, LASER, FADEC, etc.) available if you can't stand to be like everyone else.
Clay Cook
N801CM reserved for the "Cookie Monster"
tanks, tanks alot!

[RV10Rob]

I'm curious what is the benefit of putting a certified engine on an experimental plane (assuming there's a higher cost to certified over a clone with the same specs). Any evidence they're more reliable? Is there a perception issue that would play into resale value? Or is it that people are using used/overhauled engines, of which certified are more prevalent?

FWIW, my plan is for a new clone.... sometime in early 2009

-Rob

[Build9A]

I'm not sure that there is a benefit of factory over clone. With all that's available in the clone market and the price difference, I would have strongly considered the clone if I could have found financing 5 years ago.

[asav8tor]

<possible pro cert>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Utility - There might be some argument that the certified can be pulled and used in a certified airplane. (but why would anyone want to waste a good engine on a crummy spam can

Resale - Two identical aircraft one has a certified engine one exp. The certified could garner a higher price depending on the buyer.

Fly off hours - Reduce?

Insurance - Reduced?

Accountability - If you have ever read a proposed AD you will realize the detail that goes into following a cert power plant. Some of that is good some of it is not good.

<possible con cert>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Price - Costs more money

Flexibility - Any non certified thing you do makes the cert moot, non cert EI, FI, etc. In which case what was the point of going cert?


My plane when built had a Factory new AEIO-36O from vans. They can still order it from Lyc but it's just too expensive to be worth it.

New outright its MSRP is over 58K (you have to pay a core charge on a new outright engine) bought from Lyc without OEM.

http://www.lycoming.textron.com/util...Price-List.pdf

Just for grins I called Vans to see what they could get it for. IF you hadn't bought an engine for a particular builder number under the OEM agreement, had bought all the kits, you could get it for a little less than 40K.

Just too much money. I would go exp.

[Jaypratt]

I have been using / recommending Americas Engines for a few years. They are for me, close, and are reliable and have friendly service. The ECI clones they sell have been great! I have one in my Borrowed Horse, runs good!
My $00.02

[Captain Sacto]

Interesting poll, I'm not surprised that the clones are polling so large a fraction of the votes.

My current plan is to install a Superior 360, but the final decision is still a ways down the road, and I'm always open to others builders' opinions and experiences.

That said, I also think that diesels have a lot of potential, especially since the engines have fewer moving parts, they are less susceptible to shock cooling, and diesel fuel has more power than does gasoline. (They are also heavier, water-cooled, and reportedly rougher on propellers.)

Regards all - - Tom

[lucky333]

I got to help build a friend's XP-360 a few years ago under the tutelage of an AP/IA/master machinist. He was pretty high on the XP and took the time to compare features for us side by side with several Lycs he had in the shop, notably where Superior had done detail improvements on the Lyc. design. A stronger case web here, an oil passage there, beefier rods, nicer cyls etc etc. That particular engine, as well as several other XPs I know, are giving sterling service right now.

Call me boring, but that's enough for me. A purpose-built design, improved upon over years and years of experience and taking advantage of better materials and methods on an ongoing basis. I like it. Plus, Superior is right down the street. I can and have dropped in for the occasional chat. Convenient.

I can't comment on the other Lyc/clones since everyone I know (including the IA/AP now) is running Superior but clearly they have a lot of fans as well.

I didn't consider an auto-conversion because I'm just not that kind of guy.

John

[Captain Avgas]

I had a Lycoming engine assembled by AeroSport from 100% Lycoming components. So it's not a certificated Lycoming engine but on the other hand it's certainly not a Lycoming clone either. On that basis there is no category in this poll that my engine would fall into.

In reality I believe that most of the Lycoming engines now sold by Vans are also not certificated....but they're not Lycoming clones either.

I therefore suspect that this poll must be confusing a number of people and might be producing misleading information.

The categories should be: 1. Lycoming (experimental or certificated). 2. Lycoming clone. 3. Etc.

[DanH]

I second Bob's comment. For example, all the IO-390X engines are OEM parts, not clone, assembled at the shop of your choice as an experimental.