fklein(at)orcasonline.com
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 Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 7:48 pm Post subject: Next steps - Honda Fit |
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On Sep 20, 2010, at 6:15 PM, Cleve Lee wrote:
| Quote: | Still plan to build the bird to meet LSA specs though.
Anyone have any comments on the Honda Fit/Jazz engine conversion?
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Cleve,
I do not consider myself to be an "engine guy", and by that I mean to say that I have no breadth nor depth of knowledge, but as you've asked for "comments", I do have some opinions. Others may have differing opinions (as well as real expertise)!
I have no reason to doubt that the 1.4L Honda Fit engine is a superb engine, and Eggenfellner (I've seen some of his videos) seems to know what he's doin with the exception of his treatment of the radiator setup. IMO, it appears that Eggenfellner is putting together a generic setup with a large radiator which may be problematic for the Europa and which ignores what I believe is a fundemental requirement for 100% liquid-cooled aircraft engines, namely, properly contoured inlet and exit ducting for the radiator. Location of the radiator(s) is key to allowing for inlet air to expand (and slow down), ensure non-turbulent airflow, and radiator efficiency...location must also allow for exit ducting to accelerate as it enters the airflow around the airframe, preferably in a zone of low pressure. But if the Eggenfellner engine/PSRU serves, perhaps the radiator set up can be altered to suit.
Glenn Crowder flies his Classic w/ a beautiful cowl which incorporates an inlet (and I think ducting setup) for a single large radiator (for his Sube).
Alex Bowman flies his XS mono w/ a Honda derivative, the CAM 125...back in 2004 I posted some pixs of his plane on the Europa-list, matronics-photoshare which may be a useful datapoint. The pixs show a twin radiator setup w/ excellent inlet/exit ducting. That engine is an earlier 1.6L Honda fitted w/ a belt-drive PSRU; it was built by an outfit in Canada called Firewall Forward Aero Engines which has gone out of business. The FFAE website is still up and may direct you to new owners who contacted me recently saying that they were going to resume production and use the Honda Fit engine, but as of this moment, I would not call them a "going concern".
As I recall, the Eggenfellner Honda Fit setup weighs 207 pounds...which would not bode well for your intentions to have your plane comply w/ LSA limitations. With a Europa-LSA, why would you not consider the 80 hp Rotax 912?
Your mileage may vary,
Fred
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