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I'm kind of curious as to why they went with the engine that they did instead of something based off of Chevrolet's LS engine architecture, but tuned for the un

by jdhn 6y ago

I'm kind of curious as to why they went with the engine that they did instead of something based off of Chevrolet's LS engine architecture, but tuned for the unique demands of planes. Seems that they place efficiency as a high standard, and the LS series of engines are pretty efficient in terms of how much power they generate vs how much space the engine takes up.

AmVess 6y ago
The engine in the Celera is designed for aircraft use. It is a turbocharged turbodiesel. In order to get the Chevrolet V-8 to work at altitude, you'd need to put a turbocharger on it which would destroy the fuel economy, especially in this application. Also, automotive engines are not designed to withstand the heavy duty cycle that this aircraft requires.
- 55873445216111 6y ago
  Actually, the Chevrolet LS series small block V8 has been used in airplanes and helicopters. The only automotive engine series I am aware of that used in aviation. http://www.v8seabee.com/ http://www.v8seabee.com/. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertical_Hummingbird https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertical_Hummingbird
  - scarier 6y ago
    There have been a number of experimentals running Mazda rotary engines, air-cooled VWs, Subaru boxers, and Corvair engines. I think there's a company that fairly recently started making some good-looking Suzuki engine conversions, as well. Probably a ton I'm missing, as well.
  - KMag 6y ago
    There are plenty of automotive engines that have been converted for use as aircraft engines. Subaru EA81 flat-4s, for one. I've also seen VW Beetle engines and Mazda rotaries converted for experimental aircraft use. Snowmobiles and jetskis aren't automobiles, but many ultralight engines are based on snowmobile/jetski engine designs. (Rotax is very common, though I've seen at least one BD-5 with a Polaris snowmobile engine converted for aircraft use.)
gsnedders 6y ago
I expect in part fuel availability: Jet-A is available at practically all airfields nowadays, and the future of Avgas is still somewhat uncertain (the majority worldwide is still leaded!).

by jdhn 6y ago

AmVess 6y ago

The engine in the Celera is designed for aircraft use. It is a turbocharged turbodiesel. In order to get the Chevrolet V-8 to work at altitude, you'd need to put a turbocharger on it which would destroy the fuel economy, especially in this application. Also, automotive engines are not designed to withstand the heavy duty cycle that this aircraft requires.

55873445216111 6y ago
Actually, the Chevrolet LS series small block V8 has been used in airplanes and helicopters. The only automotive engine series I am aware of that used in aviation. http://www.v8seabee.com/ http://www.v8seabee.com/. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertical_Hummingbird https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertical_Hummingbird
- scarier 6y ago
  There have been a number of experimentals running Mazda rotary engines, air-cooled VWs, Subaru boxers, and Corvair engines. I think there's a company that fairly recently started making some good-looking Suzuki engine conversions, as well. Probably a ton I'm missing, as well.
- KMag 6y ago
  There are plenty of automotive engines that have been converted for use as aircraft engines. Subaru EA81 flat-4s, for one. I've also seen VW Beetle engines and Mazda rotaries converted for experimental aircraft use. Snowmobiles and jetskis aren't automobiles, but many ultralight engines are based on snowmobile/jetski engine designs. (Rotax is very common, though I've seen at least one BD-5 with a Polaris snowmobile engine converted for aircraft use.)

gsnedders 6y ago

I expect in part fuel availability: Jet-A is available at practically all airfields nowadays, and the future of Avgas is still somewhat uncertain (the majority worldwide is still leaded!).