Hangar Flying => Hangar Flying => Topic started by: Wragie on August 15, 2005, 06:11:39 AM
Title: VariEze engines
Post by: Wragie on August 15, 2005, 06:11:39 AM
Hi
I know the 0-200 is the biggest engine normally found in a Vari but I was talking to a friend and he swears up and down someone built one with a Lyc 0-290 a few years back. I could see being able to do it with extra nose ballast and of course new cowling etc. Does thing ring a bell with anyone?
Dave
Title: VariEze engines
Post by: Dj Rise on August 15, 2005, 06:33:19 AM
There is one at Franklin flying field (3FK) in central Indiana.
Title: VariEze engines
Post by: Waiter on August 15, 2005, 07:14:05 AM
There are a LOT of O-235 VariEZ's and a few O-320's floating around.
Chime in DUCK!
Waiter
Title: VariEze engines
Post by: Dan Patch on August 15, 2005, 10:00:57 AM
We've had a VariEze in San Diego that flew with an O-290 for a number of years before converting to an O-320 when the O-290 got tired. And, of course there's Duck's #19 VariEze (see the Mexico article for a photo) as Waiter noted.
Title: VariEze engines
Post by: Wragie on August 15, 2005, 02:46:50 PM
Now that you mention the 0-320 that vaugely rings a bell. Seem to recall more about Rutan having a cow about it than anything else.
Do you know what it performed like? seems like it would be a real rocket to me.
Dave
Title: VariEze engines
Post by: Dan Patch on August 15, 2005, 04:33:35 PM
Seem to recall more about Rutan having a cow about it than anything else. Do you know what it performed like? seems like it would be a real rocket to me....
Actually, Rutan wasn't concerned with putting an O-320 on a VariEze because it was such a preposterous idea (in his mind) that it wasn't even on his radar screen until (I believe) he'd been out of the plans business for a while. Burt WAS concerned about putting O-235's on the VEZ and O-320's on the LEZ because of the added weight, and we all know how that turned out (quite well, I'd say).
In any event, the first O-320 on a VEZ that I personally know about was Martin and Virginia Skiby's VEZ that first flew as an O-320 in 1992 at the Wendover RACE (Martin - 230.73 mph). Virginia flew it in eleven various, subsequent RACE events from 1993 to 1996 and consistently turned between 230 and 245 mph (in the Unlimited Class). No doubt, an O-320 powered VEZ is going to move out smartly (unless it has 500 x 5 'Tundra Tires' and no wheel pants). In my mind, however, the major advantage to a big engine is better take-off and climb performance, not speed. And then there's the issue of an off-field landing in a heavy plane, but that's another topic.
Title: Have 108 lyc 0235C2C for sale
Post by: Alan Laudani on August 19, 2005, 12:32:28 PM
I have a 108 lyc 0232C2C for sale with a Varieze motor mount for sale. This engine with logs has about (don't quote me!) 750 hours since major, been sitting for 15 years unpickled so the price is $4500 (core) no accessories. Just right for an experimental upgrade for high compression pistons, etc.
My hangar mate, Phil, flies with a Catto 3 blade prop and gets 165 mph or more. His extra weight (necessary for lyc) in his a/c's nose is a redundant battery.