Microlighters

Looking for some info on the VW 2.1L engines used in many of the Cubbies (and some other planes I see ....).
What are the pro's and con's? Is it reliable, TBO hours, maintenance?
Thanks.
Soekiwindni

There is an Aerovee for sale on avcom.

The Aerovee, GPAS (http://www.greatplainsas.com/) and a few others are converted by reputable companies who specialize in aero conversions.
Revmaster, which is arguably not a VW, is another reliable option.

Many of the VW engines were converted by home builders. Some of these are fantastic, well thought out, quality builds, whilst some are not. Be careful.

Boet will tell you that they are absolutely brilliant! .... boat anchors ..... but that's about all they are good for.

Ask Craig!He built his cubbies motor and his new kr 2 motor!He knows alot about these motors!!

I just flew 5000 km next to JP with his 2.1 litre fuel injected Cubby. That motor did not miss a beat and we flew for up to 4.5 hrs continuosly on some days. What a beaut!
Regards
Bryan

I am pro them. Two provisos:
1. It must be assembled my someone that really knows what he is doing.
2. Never let it run hot or it will fail. I had 4 x EGT's, 2 x CHT's and an oil temp on mine.
Cheers, Trevor

I just flew 5000 km next to JP with his 2.1 litre fuel injected Cubby. That motor did not miss a beat and we flew for up to 4.5 hrs continuosly on some days

That's reassuring.
Do you know if it was a kit engine? (Aerovee, GPAS etc)

bobthebuilder wrote:

I just flew 5000 km next to JP with his 2.1 litre fuel injected Cubby. That motor did not miss a beat and we flew for up to 4.5 hrs continuosly on some days

That's reassuring.
Do you know if it was a kit engine? (Aerovee, GPAS etc)

Most Cubby engines were produced by Andreno Engineering in the Cape.

Justin, you are almost finished with this exercise.
If you knew then what you know now, would you have built your own engine, or would you rather throw your money at an Aerovee or Revmaster?

bobthebuilder wrote:Justin, you are almost finished with this exercise.
If you knew then what you know now, would you have built your own engine, or would you rather throw your money at an Aerovee or Revmaster?

I really don't know. If I went for a new VW, then definitely Revmaster. All told it is cheaper, more powerful, and generally a better conversion than any of the others.

It is still expensive though. If I decided to build my own, I would pick up a second hand converted engine for sale and rebuild it. But I would be very careful (this time) what I pay for the engine. Consider any used engine to be core value only, as you have no idea how well/badly it was built or maintained...

Contact Jean Pierre on Avcom. He used to demo Cubbies and his aircraft behaved impecably during our tour. I have great respect for his knowledge of his engine and his aircraft
Regards
Bryan

Bothebuilder, please share any experience you had with thenCW engine, as once my warbird is built, I need an engine for her, and the Americans swear by the VW or Rotec radial, of which the later is hugely expensive! I have a spare Rotax, but the mounts and CG are not designed for the Rotax.

One of the reasons the US like the VW is because of its reliability .... And the fact that it turns a 96inch prop to,power the war bird with. rotax can't dream of doing this. Question still remains why are the VW's unreliable?

The other side of the coin in Hirth.... The Americans designed the Fokker D-VII to use this engine, BUT in so many people's opinion, the Hirth is rubbish, overheats and fails left right and centre! So what now .... Fork out huge money on exotic engines with a proven track record, or get to the bottom of why some say the VW aren't a reliable engine?