The right engine for a newbie

[ultra]

I've been browsing some of the pricing on https://www.teammini-max.com/online-store-new-items/engines/ and was thinking about getting the 37hp 1/2vw engine.

I was wondering if you guys have had any experiences with this sellers engine and if I could possibly get a good flying experience with the 28hp engine without sacrificing too much performance. I noticed the hummel engines are a bit pricier and the shipping charges could be double for me since I live in the north east vs these other guys, are his engines worth that much more?

[Tom H]

Not sure of the airplane you are building.

Our experience with a standard Legal Eagle Ultralight (not the XL version), which we called Treehugger:
- the airplane empty weight turned out to be maybe 20 lbs over the 254 lbs "legal" weight, so that was a detriment.
- we had a 1/2 VW, 69 mm stroke, 90.5 mm bore, measured with a "wood bar dyno" to produce full throttle 29 hp at 3400 rpm
- with the best prop we tried, this airplane would perform "barely OK" with our 145 lb pilot.  He could throttle back a bit for cruise.
- with our heaviest pilot, 225 lb, it produced a serious "pucker factor", flew it only on the best days.  Barely reducing throttle resulted in loss of altitude.

From this experience and reading this forum for a long time, I would recommend around 35 hp as a good minimum for reasonable performance for our LEU Treehugger.  And, keep the airplane light.  Don't add anything, it will get heavier all by itself!

[ultra]

Not sure of the airplane you are building.

Our experience with a standard Legal Eagle Ultralight (not the XL version), which we called Treehugger:
- the airplane empty weight turned out to be maybe 20 lbs over the 254 lbs "legal" weight, so that was a detriment.
- we had a 1/2 VW, 69 mm stroke, 90.5 mm bore, measured with a "wood bar dyno" to produce full throttle 29 hp at 3400 rpm
- with the best prop we tried, this airplane would perform "barely OK" with our 145 lb pilot.  He could throttle back a bit for cruise.
- with our heaviest pilot, 225 lb, it produced a serious "pucker factor", flew it only on the best days.  Barely reducing throttle resulted in loss of altitude.

From this experience and reading this forum for a long time, I would recommend around 35 hp as a good minimum for reasonable performance for our LEU Treehugger.  And, keep the airplane light.  Don't add anything, it will get heavier all by itself!

Whoops, forgot to mention it's for an XL.

Looks like I might go for the slightly cheaper 37HP engine from these guys instead of the Hummel, I just wish our Canadian dollar was on par with the US dollar like it used to be a few years ago :/

If worse comes to worse I think I could just sent my engine in to get rebored and upgraded to a 45hp by one of these guys after I get some flying experience way down the road. Thanks for the advice!

[PropMan]

I've got many happy customers flying behind the 37 HP half. with the feedback i get and as Tom says anything over 35 HP is a good engine for the LE and XL. Most importantly Keep It Light.

[Mrbill]

I'm waffling between the Casler 45hp and the 37hp for my XL mainly because of cost.  I weigh 200 lbs. and would like to go with the 37.  Any suggestions on setup, drawbacks, or recommendations?  All comments would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Mr Bill

[scottiniowa]

I've got many happy customers flying behind the 37 HP half. with the feedback i get and as Tom says anything over 35 HP is a good engine for the LE and XL. Most importantly Keep It Light.

MrBill
In the airplane building business, it is hard to beat what Frank just said.

best of success!