Airplane engine swap

beamishkenny

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Jul 27, 2008
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I am interested in something more asthetic than a 2 stroke or the lawnmower
type looking hondas.
I have been looking at the giant scale size model airplane engines.
Some are over 150cc over 15 hp.
Has anyone concidered this application?
Although these engines were only intended for model airplanes but do they have enough torque to power a mountain bike with a 185lb rider.
 
Sure, why not :) I've seen these engines; they look similar to the HT's, but I'm sure they are built much better. Can you imagine this: a tiny replica Pratt & Whitney radial engine, frame mounted? Heheh!
 
Saito does twins & up to 5 cylinder single row radials

Problem is all of them run on nitro fuel which is expensive - and Im not sure they could run reliably if at all on petroil mixes - even if they did they'd be down on power - or at worse you'd get a spine full of cylinder block shrapnel

If I had a spare $700 I would experiment, but sadly I dont lol

Jemma xx
 
yeah its possible but maybe not practical

a high quality weed eater chainsaw or blower would be more practical and less expensive

zenoah makes rc engines and were used for years in green machine backpack blowers from 33cc-80cc
and now they are used in redmax equipment

good luck....and welcome

mike
 
Mud,
Actually Zenoah are considered cheap and weak engines in the RC community. They are underpowered and overweight compared to other offerings and I wouldn't use a zenoah on any airplane unless it was a slow flyer and I was tail heavy and needed nose weight.

I think the OP is talking about gasoline engines and not nitro engines.

Some links:

http://www.aircraftinternational.com/

http://desertaircraft.com/engines_detail.php?Page=DA-50-R

http://www.fpengines.com/

http://www.bmeengine.com/engines.htm


I'm partial to 3W engines and they serve me well. These engines will not work because they will overheat in a bike frame. Engine cooling from directed air flowing through the cowl is critical in an airplane application. Cooling fins are typically undersized to save weight.

Oh, almost forgot. These use battery powered electronic ignitions. NO magneto. Batteries would definitely be needed on long rides.
 
Thank You

Thank You to all who answered my question.
What got me thinking about this swap was a couple of photos of radial powered choppers and and the workmanship is excellent.
I happened to come across a photo that someone in some other site had of a 1930's bicycle with a motor with a supercharger.
That is the wildest application ever.
 
correction:

Most use batteries for ignition. Zenoah and Fuji engines don't and are magneto powered.
 
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