Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but
I think that 225 vs. 250 hp rating is at sea level and as you climb the hp
difference will close to the point where it’s not a factor at all.
Lycoming vs. Renesis is a good question.
I hate to say it, but there really isn’t that big of a difference in
acquisition cost so until your Lycoming degrades to the point of needing a top
overhaul (and you know it will) your cost per hour is about the same. Of
course the 2000 hour overhaul is a major expense and at that time you’ll
be glad you’ve got a Renesis, but something like 90% of home built
airplanes have not reached overhaul yet so I’m not sure how significant
overhaul expense is in the equation. Also, a lot of homebuilt planes get
sold at some point and you may not get as high of a ROI out of a Renesis
installation.
For me, the decision was made about the 25th
time I nursed an airplane to life in cold weather. Pre-heating and flying
around for a few hours in a rather icy airplane cabin will convince anyone that
there’s got to be a better alternative.
From: Rotary motors in
aircraft [mailto:flyrotary@lancaironline.net] On
Behalf Of davidclifford01@comcast.net
Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007
11:56 AM
To: Rotary motors in aircraft
Subject: [FlyRotary] Renesis
Applications
This is a question that could probably best be answered by
Tracy but all comments would be appreciated. I originally purchased
my built long block Renesis from Bruce Turrentine for my Cozy
MKIV. I sold the project but kept the engine and am now
building an RV-10. The RV-10 was tested with the Continental IO-360 @220
hp with satisfactory results according to Vans. I am torn between going
with the Renesis to power the RV or just selling it and putting
in the Lycoming 0-540 @250 hp Vans recommends. Bruce
estimates my Renesis will produce 225 hp @ 6500. I know the Renesis
performs well in Tracy's RV,,,,I just don't want to spend all the time and
money into building and installing the Renesis and having to pull it out
to replace it with the 0-540. Comments????