I agree with the discussion so far on some of the limitations of the 2 strokes. Loehle kitplanes uses the 582 Rotax in alot of their replica aircraft, as their standard powerplant. I agree with Dan that marine engines have alot of tweaking for use in aircraft, cooling, PSRU reductions, motor mounts, etc... Also, as Mark said, for the weight vs. output, the corvair is going to be hard to beat. Remember, it is not all about just advertised bhp, it is about torque to the prop. That is when the work is actually being done. I don't know exact numbers, but if the corvair engine is outputting 40-50 more bhp than the average VW, it is probably delivering something like 70-100 more foot pounds of torque, both due to shear output, and the six cylinder configuration. With modern auto engine technology what it is today, marine engines are much more difficult to adapt, compared to adding a PSRU, a couple of radiators like the Rotax uses, and fit the cowling. I know this is an oversimplification, but unless you are going to use one of the updated Mattituck, or similar aircraft engines, you are paying a LOT of money for 1950s technology. You can convert 10 corvairs for the price of 1 new Lycoming. Just my opinion... Colin Rainey KR2(td) crain...@cfl.rr.com Sanford, Florida FLY SAFE!!!!
