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Old 04-25-2007, 12:48 PM
Jet A1 Jet A1 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Rep: 10 Posts: 7
Location: Linz
High Guys,

Hello to all its my first posting here.

It is true, I have converted the Steyr M1 140 HP engine for aircraft use. 
with "pimped" electronics we have a take off power of 160HP, the engine is designed for 200HP. 
The homolgation process for this engine was pretty easy, the belt drive never was an issue, 
it was proven by failure reports which was zero. An issue was electric power supply, as if 
there is no 12V the engine still have to run. It was easy accomplished by a mechanical link 
to the injectors/pumps which is standard on this engine.
To my knowledge all other modern electronic controlled engine will stop in case of a 12/24V 
bus failure! and do not have an override system!

Another good point for the engine is the "limp home" capability in case of loss of the water
cooling. When the cooling water gets too hot, the electronic automatically reduces power down 
to 2000 revs, even with no water in the engine you can go home. (Thanks to monoblock design)

I am now 30 years in the boating business and I have no memory of a belt/chain drive failure, 
but very often hot engines with bent zylinder heads or melted piston/liners, because of 
blockage of seawater inlet, even from plastic bags. Makes a total write off as well.
Any medium to high rev engine which blows the valve drive is a total loss, so you rule out 
CAT, Volvo, Cummins, MAN, MTU, MerC, any engine with a good power/weight ratio.

And you should not fly piston driven aircrafts!!!!
These engines are much more prown to mishaps because of their weight limits compared to marine 
engines.

I have seen the Steyr 250 HP engine already, but I think it will take some time until it will 
be availiable for retail customers.

Hope this was of help,
b.r.
Wolfgang