Vans RV-6a diesel?

[Luke Scharf]

All of this diesel engine talk has me wondering -- has anyone built an
RV-6A with a Thielert engine or something similar?

Would the RV-6A be underpowered with the 120hp Centurion 1.7?

Thanks,
-Luke

[Dave S]

Luke Scharf wrote:

> All of this diesel engine talk has me wondering -- has anyone built an
> RV-6A with a Thielert engine or something similar?
>
> Would the RV-6A be underpowered with the 120hp Centurion 1.7?
>
> Thanks,
> -Luke

probably NOT underpowered, because my understanding is that this engine
is able to give equivalent thrust to a 180 hp gas engine. I am presuming
the difference is in the torque generated.

A jet-a Piston RV would be a wonderful accomplishment

Dave

[Luke Scharf]

Dave S wrote:
>
>
> Luke Scharf wrote:
>
>> All of this diesel engine talk has me wondering -- has anyone built an
>> RV-6A with a Thielert engine or something similar?
>>
>> Would the RV-6A be underpowered with the 120hp Centurion 1.7?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> -Luke
>
>
> probably NOT underpowered, because my understanding is that this engine
> is able to give equivalent thrust to a 180 hp gas engine. I am presuming
> the difference is in the torque generated.
>
> A jet-a Piston RV would be a wonderful accomplishment

I did a little more reading, and the centurion-engines.com site says
that they only approve of using the engine with a constant-speed prop.

If I'm thinking correctly, you get a benefit out of the extra torque
with a constant speed prop, because the prop can take a bigger bite of
air. OTOH, with the fixed-pitch props that I'm used to, the RPM sets
the amount of power (or is it thrust? I think it's power) that you get
out of it -- end of story.

Starting to make sense, I think.

-Luke

[Dude]

"Dave S" > wrote in message
.net...
>
>
> Luke Scharf wrote:
>
>> All of this diesel engine talk has me wondering -- has anyone built an
>> RV-6A with a Thielert engine or something similar?
>>
>> Would the RV-6A be underpowered with the 120hp Centurion 1.7?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> -Luke
>
> probably NOT underpowered, because my understanding is that this engine is
> able to give equivalent thrust to a 180 hp gas engine. I am presuming the
> difference is in the torque generated.
>
> A jet-a Piston RV would be a wonderful accomplishment
>
> Dave


I believe that they were planning to only offer the engine with an OEM
agreement from the Kit manufacturer. I have not seen any announcements as
to that changing, or them having a deal with Van's. I think Thomas Borchert,
who posts on here a bit who may know more.

The engine is heavier than the 0-360 and would need a special engine mount.
The RV's are all light enough that it would be plenty of engine though. I
have been thinking that an RV or a Lancair Legacy would be excellent with
this engine. You would likely get less climb, but you could likely higher
and much faster at altitude.

It's not as simple as most aircraft engines though, so you would need some
sort of course to do the maintenance. Your EAA buddies and fellow hangar
rat's ain't seen one of these before.