Not so much of a big deal - just trying to help a guy out which is what the net is all about. I can understand the confusion. I came from flying a KR2 with a turbo Revemaster 2180D that my father built to building the 2S I have now. Nothing wrong with the VW engine - other than they broke cranks and the new cranks - that still broke cost about 800 dollars. I never broke a crank in the VW but did have to replace it when I found out the original was a cast crank. I was going to put a Type 4 VW in this engine untill I found out that 1) it would cost as much as an 0200 to build with the rear drive 2) the rear drives were breaking and not on flying planes at the time 3) I read Mark Langfords web page abou the type 4 and the new corvair engine. SO I purchase a 100 core engine and tore it down to see if it looked like a beefy enough engine for what I wanted and I was sold! I really liked the design and simplicity so decided to go that direction. I am an A&P so I could easily enough maintain any engine but made the choice to go this direction. The main reasons were for cost and for the fact that I met William Wynne and discovered a person and friend that thought like I did. He is inovative and works hard with his product. I liked the fact of being able to visit and talk with him about my plane and engine. It has been a good learning experience. Yes, this is experimental aviation, so you make wise choices and be willing to learn and grow as you build. Maybe tomorrow there will be a 150 lb 300hp engine out there that only cost 500 bucks - in my dreams...but for now we settle for a choice between some very good products. An easier way to make some of these choices is to decide what the purpose and desire of the project is. For example, I wanted the least expensive, fastest KR I could build that would climb well, get to high altittudes, be fuel efficient and easy to maintain. That is what I have. I did not want a slow, extremely fuel efficient, take out around the patch KR. I also did not want a show piece KR. I have built many show cars in my time but have more fun with the daily drivers. I do not fly my KR at low altittudes on a regular basis, it is built for cross country. So in keeping with my goals for the airplane it caused me to make those decisions. A pre built fuselage ($250), engine ($2500), prop ($300), gauges and panesl ($1200), GPS ($200).....fuel tanks ($22.50)....you see where I am going. Total cost of materials in my plane $7318.00 ! I kept within my goals and have the plane I wanted. It also gave me a flexible plane that is build to be adjustable, easy to modify and experiment with. So again, find out what your goals are, your capabilities, and build accordingly. Nobody would argue with you over your choice in powerplant just as over your choice in GPS.....I like my Pilot III GPS beacuse it is small and simple..and only cost me $200. Others spend thousands for something more complex and modern...Fine I am happy with what I have and my budget allows for this. I have other things to spend money on....KR2SS #2 and KR1 and 1966 Corvair, and 1964 Type 34, and 1957 panel van....and so on.
Back to my premise of make good choices that fit the goals and move on. We want to welcome you in the air. Flying is a bigger reward than what engine or paint scheme you have. Once you are flying you realize this. Someone mentioned the other day, "Boy, people must think your rich because you own your own airplane." I said in reply that I didnt build the plane to effect what people think of me or my wealth or position in life, I built the airplane because I love to fly. Id be happier with a good flying ugly airplane than with a thing of beauty that never leaves the ground. The real beauty is in seeing a sunset from 6000' , or flying above the trees in the fall or in the winter....God's beauty. The plane give me a new perch to view it from and for that I am grateful. Bill and 41768 Valdosta, GA
