Mounting the DeltaHawk Diesel in an RV-8/A

[rv8vator]

I just returned from OSH.

I have been looking at the 180 hp DeltaHawk Diesel over the past several years.

See: http://www.deltahawkengines.com

Despite the difficulty of a brand new engine, I feel the benefits of this diesel are too numerous to overlook. It will pay for itself by the time a Lycoming is due for an overhaul. This forecast was made with last years fuel prices.

I spoke with both DeltaHawk and Curt LoPresti of LoPresti Speed Merchants <http://www.speedmods.com> about LoPresti designing both an engine mount and cowl for the RV-8. If I can get a sufficient number of builders interested in the DeltaHawk engine, LoPresti has agreed to design an engine mount and Cowl.

One of LoPresti’s concerns about getting into the homebuilt market is that it is very easy to rip off a design for a cowl or fairing. A production engine would need an STC’d design. Selling only firewall forward kits might help solve this problem. Any other ideas?

MT has a propeller on the DeltaHawk Velocity. AeroComposits <http://www.aerocomposites.com> will be supplying a test propeller shortly.

I am hoping to get some support from Van’s in identifying builders who might be interested in taking the plunge, but as you may know, Van has not been too supportive of alternative engines.

I have also spoken with DeltaHawk about starting a Yahoo Group for their engines.

Should there be sufficient interest to proceed with this program I will visit DeltaHawk for a first hand view of their engine and its progress. The 180 hp engine will be perfect for the RV-8/A. A properly designed cowl should yield additional speed or economies. I don’t think that there is a better design company than LoPresti.

As a back up, I also spoke with Sam James. He said that they were very busy, but he would talk with me. His location is not too far from me, nor is LoPresti for that matter.

I’d also appreciate any ideas in getting this word out to RV builders. It may be that RV 7 and 9 builders could also benefit form this program.

Martin Sobel
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MARTIN SOBEL
RV-8 N61MV (Reserved)
EAA Flight Advisor

[cjensen]

Sheesh! How many times does this need to be posted??? Just givin' ya a hard time, but this is already posted in the alternative engine section...

[captain_john]

Martin, thanks for chiming in!

I am always interested in alterative engines, but I won't be doing one on my first plane.

Instead of starting a YAHOO! group, have them post here!

I think this format is easier and I know we all would like to keep apprised of any developments, RV related.

CJ

[Spike]

Yeah, bring them here. Thats why we are here, to learn and teach each other.


- Spike