rv12
I too like the 12 and have a strong desire to build one. I too have wondered about alternative engines. Horse power is not the only issue. Power loading is an important design consideration in choosing a wing profile but there is also the weight and balance, cooling, and engine mounting problems. With all of the kings horses and all the kings men putting forth their maximum efforts to use the liquid cooled rotax it would be a big design change to use an air cooled engine. Im guessing the VW engine is a bit lighter than the rotax and so right away we will have a tail heavy plane to re-balance, or vis a vis. JC Whitney sells the long block VW brand spaning new in the box for $4500 bucks. If you have a source for a core, you can build one up for less than $1500 of parts, (not counting redrives or conversions)
The 0200 cranks out 100hp, but may be a bit heavier and more costly and waht about the everlasting 0290?. I have thought about the VW or other engines but since I dont have the capability to make a change, I plan to use the engine of choice by the folks at Vans. They be much smarter than I. However, if the Vans designers incorporate an alternative, I could be happy with that.