A Rotax 503 with reduction drive swinging a 60" prop would provide
much more thrust at greatly reduced weight than a direct drive VW.
Should be able to pick up a dual ignition 503 with a few hundred hours
for less than the cost of a VW conversion.
Don

Richard Lamb wrote in message
Depends on what do you consider "low cost"?
A new Rotax 912 might as well be a Lycoming, price wise...


Ricahrd