M42 engine for my airplane

[Todddzilla]

I am a BMW fan and know the quality of their make-up - I have 3 of my own E30 325is, E30 Cabrio, E39 540i/6 - wife has E46 325Ci, sons drive E30, E30 M#, E36 M3.  I am building three airplanes, one could use a Bike motor R1150, One an M60 4.4 V8 but the last an M42 or similar - I don't know much about these engines, but I have heard good things for weight, power and durability -all good things for being 7K feet in the air.  Any suggestions or input.  I am looking for info on size and weight and performance mods, but to maintain reliability.

[dsm2002]

look on bmwfans.info for weights. for example a short engine ie an engine without accessories is 108kg. in the parts listing each part has the weight listed.

[locknload]

Not to dis the bimmer, but have you considered wankel (RX7/8)?  Superior HP/torque for the weight.

[bmwman91]

Todddzilla,

The M42 is actually a very heavy, physically large 4 cylinder! A number of my friends that are Japanese car fans always comment on how large the engine is sitting under the hood. I think that it is great since its layout makes it super easy to work on, but it is pretty darn big compared to their engines when I look at theirs on a hoist.

I believe that an M42 with accessories weighs in at around 220lbs.

[bmwman91]

Todddzilla,

The M42 is actually a very heavy, physically large 4 cylinder! A number of my friends that are Japanese car fans always comment on how large the engine is sitting under the hood. I think that it is great since its layout makes it super easy to work on, but it is pretty darn big compared to their engines when I look at theirs on a hoist.

I believe that an M42 with accessories weighs in at around 220lbs.

[the white guy]

There is an old saying in Experimental aviation " If you want to fly a little and work on your airplane put an automotive engine in it, if you want to fly your airplane as opposed to working on it put an certificated aircraft engine in it."
An 0-200 Continental engine is a good choice for 100 hp and weighs ~ 200 lbs, the basic design has been around since the late 1930s..
A40,A50,C65,C85,C90,O-200. Air cooled man..no coolant,radiators,water pumps..,etc,etc.

Stan

[pmat0]

Im not one to bag on the m42, but its a little too self destructive to put in an airplane IMO

[romkasponka]

If you want to use BMW engine the best is opposite engine from motorbike with fuel injection (weight/performance). In any case you will need to reduce the the speed for prop with reduction unit.

http://www.ultralightnews.com/engineinfo/bmwconversion.htm