There are some NOS Franklin parts, and few new parts being made, but not enough to build any new engines. Southern Aero is an approved re-builder of Franklin 150's and 165's. They are in close contact with the owners of the Franklin parts. Several years ago they had one of the 2 cylinder Franklins on a stand in their warehouse. There was reportedly a couple of these engines flying in N.C. at that time. Susan Praill also has an inventory of some Franklin parts. At one time there was a possibility that new Franklin engines were going to be built in Poland, but that fell through. As has been mentioned,this two cylinder Franklin engine is probably not a good fit for our little airplanes, too heavy!  

I have long believe that the BMW conversions make a lot of sense for small aircraft like the Mini-Max line. They are lightweight and reliable. For some reason though, they are more popular in Europe than in the US. I'm not sure why.

A short video of a BMW conversion...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS5AxbQXdY4

Here's one Hi-Max that is flying with a BMW...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHCatxPIUgw

One of the main reasons I suspect is the 155lb or thereabouts that they weigh!

Quoted from Max SSDR

One of the main reasons I suspect is the 155lb or thereabouts that they weigh!

Well, I guess that makes sense then.

It's a shame though. They have been a bit troublesome in the UK, overheating problems I believe.  

Can anyone provide any further info on the Gaokin 650  water cooled  v twin referenced in an earlier post to this thread?  Anyone had any actual experience with one?
Kim Brown
New Hampshire

Another potential option is the new O-100. It's still not in production, but it has flown. Dry weight is 105 lbs. It's supposed to put out 60 hp, but I'm a bit skeptical of that. I would believe 50.

http://flypegasuspower.com/wp/

On the basis of what evidence?

Quoted from tomshep

On the basis of what evidence?

What do you mean?

Quoted from kfb

Can anyone provide any further info on the Gaokin 650  water cooled  v twin referenced in an earlier post to this thread?  Anyone had any actual experience with one?
Kim Brown
New Hampshire

Google Kev Brown V Twin conversion. He did a Vanguard conversion first and then the Gaokin. He's now flying with it in the UK

For Brown read Armstrong.

Hi
Not sure what this means:

For Brown read Armstrong

could you please explain what you mean

thank you

Kim Brown
New Hampshire

There's another potential player. The Xenhoa Twin cyl 2 stroke. Don't know much, tho.

Quoted from kfb

Hi
Not sure what this means:

For Brown read Armstrong

could you please explain what you mean

thank you

Kim Brown
New Hampshire

My Typo! Google Kev Armstrong!

https://youtu.be/dDfu7Wz1Fsc

Here's the latest flying vdeo of the Gaokin V twin

Having seen that, I am very impressed. It climbs well and sounds lovely. As an Engine for a V max or Eros, it seems ideal. Sixty horsepower  and four stroke  makes me think it would be enough for an Epic Sport. In a MiniMax, it would be huge fun and it would dawdle along at 70 MPH  running on very little fuel. Really need to work out how to build a suitable firewall and whether a Max could take 60+ horsepower. I suspect not but the engine could always be restricted, I suppose.  If I could get it in the front of a MiniMax, I would love to!

Kev reckons it would cost around £3500 including reduction gear but the basic cost of the engine delivered to the UK, tax paid was £1850. Weight is more than a 582 however so sadly not for a Max. There are smaller 50hp versions though.

Yes, I was thinking the 650 would be a good choice. The 800 would be a great engine in a Rans for example.

Quoted from tomshep

Really need to work out how to build a suitable firewall and whether a Max could take 60+ horsepower. I suspect not but the engine could always be restricted, I suppose.  If I could get it in the front of a MiniMax, I would love to!

My Eros flies very well behind my 60 hp MZ202 engine. I added additional reinforcement to the engine mount area, otherwise as per plans. The MZ is 10 kg lighter than the Rotax 503.

Performance is certainly fun - I must get round to properly quantifying some figures. But climb is about 900 fpm, cruise around 70mph. Fuel burn 8 - 10 lph.

Bruce

Quoted from Max SSDR

https://youtu.be/dDfu7Wz1Fsc

Here's the latest flying vdeo of the Gaokin V twin

Is that a mannequin leg on his plane or am I seeing things?

I don't think the Zenoah 500 twin is available anymore. Culver Engineering was the supplier at one time. Nice engine, very simple. I have the 250cc single on my Monerai/P would have loved to have the twin.

The Gaokin v twin engines are available on EBay, seems as if the mid range horsepower choices might have an acceptable weight(50-60hp)
Kim Brown
New Hampshire

Further research on the Gaokin engines suggests I was wrong on last post, seems as if 125+- pounds is a generally discussed number in the mid range sizes, to this one would have to add the redrive and prop weight.  I believe most of the discussion on engines in this thread would suggest this is higher than desired.  Half vw engine and prop you should be able to stay under 100lbs.  So it depends on what you are willing to do, if you are ok with going heavier on the nose and compensating with tail weight, this category of engine could work.  I am going to continue to nose around in areas like smaller snow mobile engines and smaller offerings by other industries, but I think for my purposes, I will continue to let overall weight be an important factor.  
Kim Brown
New Hampshire

Quoted from kfb

  I am going to continue to nose around in areas like smaller snow mobile engines and smaller offerings by other industries, but I think for my purposes, I will continue to let overall weight be an important factor.  
Kim Brown
New Hampshire

That is why most Max's use 2 stroke engines.  Like you, I started off preferring to go 4 stroke, but when I looked at the power/weight figures I decided on performance over preference. My 60hp 2 stroke weighs less than a 37hp 1/2 VW.  

Yes, there's worse fuel consumption on a 2 stroke so you could argue you have to carry more fuel. But I don't use my Max for long flights so this is not an issue for me. For a typical hour long flight just pottering around the local area, shooting a few landings, I would typically burn less than 10 litres, or 2.6 gallons. I'm happy with this, and the power I have gives me both a very short take off roll and rapid climbout - useful for safety and lots of fun  

Bruce

Hi Bruce,

  are the MZ engines still available?

  I made an inquiry on the current website https://fiate.net/en/h-default.html but have not yet received any response. A 201 or 202 are on the short list for me as well

No, sorry mate. CRE who used to make them in Canada sold out to the Chinese last year.

If you want to find out what the current situation is, you could try emailing the new manufacturer: GRAYZHU@FLOATWING.COM  I don't know how things stand at the moment. Great engine, though.

Hope you're enjoying your build.

Bruce

Quoted from Cy V

Is that a mannequin leg on his plane or am I seeing things?

Er... yes

He even has a change of sock for fashion or when it gets muddy. We Brits are prone to lunacy from time to time  

Although we prefer to call it eccentricity!

Quoted from lake_harley

Here's the video(s) I think aeronaut was referring to.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj0hdymXfOg   and  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppR5Boo7cn4

I had a 2A042 stripped and had a prop for it, but decided to go with a 277 on my MiniMAX. I ended up selling the '042 but still have some regrets about not using it. FWIW, you'll find various opinions about the HP potential of the '042, but I feel pretty comfortable about believing reports of them being about 24 HP in the real world. Spec rating is a LOT lower, but that was in very dismal military test conditions.

Lynn

Lynn
I have read that the 042 powered MiniMax was 2lbs under the limit.  That one used a bubble from a Hummel bird very nice!  

I see 1/2Vw variants flying very nice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqRxaRUWuAo

What is the real world weight limit for a engine on a 1100R build?

Regards

Matt Naiva

The four cycle v-twin engine world seems to have a little promise for small planes, industrial engines that people are trying to convert for small plane use.  Generac, Briggs, Vanguard, if you research them all, they all fall shy of 40 horsepower, which puts them in the range of the 37 horsepower half vw, but they weigh more, usually you see numbers like 125 pounds versus the vw at mid 80s pounds.  You get newer ignition and electric start in trade for the extra 40lbs. Kind of a hard trade.  Has anyone had any actual experience with these motors on a fixed wing aircraft.  Cost wise they are not too different from the half vws with the exception of Valley Engineerings Big Twin which is more money.  
Kim Brown
New Hampshire