Information
brochure about converting Geo-Suzuki G series engines for Homebuilt aircraft
and other air propeller driven craft.
www.airtrikes.net
Introduction.
This brochure
is intended for experimental aircraft (and other air propeller driven craft
like airboat, hovers) builders thinking about using 4-stroke auto/moto conversions, or already decided to go this way. For
them who doesn’t happy to use a noisy 2-stroker or complicated and expensive
aviation 4-stroker. And for them who started to work with GEO-Suzuki G serie engine conversion and looking for possible
information about these conversions.
Right engine
choice is very important for each aircraft builder. I had the same problem
about 20 years ago when started to build and fly delta wing trikes. I made my
choice. I used my aviation engineer education, builder skills and pilot
experience to create the engines for my aircraft. I’m sure it was the right
choice for me. Dozens of aircraft were designed, built, repowered, engines
converted and tested with hundreds of flying hours.
Now I have
Air Trikes Enterprises – my business and my hobby the
same time. I sell proven, reliable, fuel efficient, easy to build and not
expensive 4-stroke experimental aircraft engines + parts necessary to build
them. I sell trikes powered with these engines. I tried different engines and
have conversion kits for them available, but my favourite engine is GEO-Suzuki
G series. Dozens of customers said me thank you for well done work.
This is not a
strict guideline what or how to do. I’m not a teacher but the same experimental
aircraft builder as you. Maybe better educated and more experienced than some
of you. I don’t want to teach but wannt to share my
experience with you. I hope it will be useful. But only the builder have right
to decide what to do, how to build his EXPERIMENTAL aircraft, what components
to use. This is your privilege and your 100% responsibility, don’t forget it.
Best regards,
Vassili Tarakanov
Aerospace Engineer,
Canadian UL Instructor
Air Trikes Enterprises Manager
www.airtrikes.net
Contents:
Why an auto conversion?
Why Geo-Suzuki?
Engine choice.
Engine finding and purchasing. Should you overhaul?
Conversion system parts.
Engine control system.
Choice of engine accessories.
Cooling system.
Fuel supply.
Propeller choice.
Cockpit engine control
instruments.
Conclusion.
12 pages of text.
Enclosures:
SPG 3(4) gearbox 2 pages
Motormount L-bars, motormount
frame and spacer drawings 7 pages
Light pulley drawings 5 pages
Flywheel machining drawing 1 page
Alternator brackets 2 pages
Alternator belt strainer drawing 1 page
Coolant expansion tank drawing 1 page
Table to calibrate Stratomaster
Engine Monitor for using with G13 Water T sender
Engine control system schematics and tables (G10,
G10Turbo, G13BA, G13BB) 6 pages
26 pages of enclosures 38 pages total.
======================================================
Conclusion.
That is
briefly all the information that I wanted to share with you, and I hope that it
is more than enough to make your choice and start working with your own
GEO-Suzuki conversion; or that you now know enough to decide otherwise.
If you have
particular questions about GEO conversions, ask me by emailing to info@airtrikes.net and I will answer them, but please be
specific in your emails. Wide-ranging general questions like “Hey, say me more what
you think about GEO (airplanes, propellers etc.)” are beyond the scope of this
offer.
In this paper
version of the brochure I have not included photographs because they do not
reproduce well enough to give good technical details. If you would like to see
pictures then spend some time going through my website www.airtrikes.net where you may view photographs and
read the Feedback from builders. Click on the pictures and you will find that
most of them have high resolution versions. If you can’t find what you want,
then ask me by email. I will answer and send photos to illustrate my answer.
I did not
include the specifications of the engines or the overhaul info. This
information can be found in Haynes or similar automotive manuals. I have not
given basic step-by-step instructions for novices, nor have I given hop-up
instructions. These are not very important for the typical builder who wishes
to have a simple installation that will fly within a short timespan.
The most
important considerations that I would like you to understand are:
The
Geo-Suzuki engine with SPG-3 gearbox is not an “alternative” (which many people
interpret to mean weird, more complicated or lesser) way for builders who
cannot afford to buy “good & proven Rotax 912S".
The Geo has its advantages, as does the Rotax 912. My
opinion as an aviation engineer and pilot, and the opinion of many builders and
pilots who have tried both GEO and 912 engines is that the GEO in many aspects
is the preferable choice.
This method
of powering your craft does not take a long time to achieve, nor is it
complicated. Of course you can make it a long and complicated process, but that
is another story. Please do not try to solve problems that do not exist, and do
not try to be smarter than the Suzuki engine designers, especially if this is
your first engine conversion. Do not try to modify or overhaul the engine if it
is not necessary. Many builders begin with the assumption that they must first
do a complete rebuild… and they never finish the project, telling others that
converting a Geo is a complicated and difficult process.
My advice to
the builder who wants to fly more than build is to take the standard engine
from the car, buy the necessary conversion components, put your engine
together, and test the aircraft to be certain that the engine choice is
correct. You can change the block if yours is worn out; they are cheap. Later
when you know for sure that it works you can remove several pounds from the
engine using light components, install a quiet muffler instead of a noisy
straight pipe, make a nice cowling or radiator scoop, modify the engine a
little and make your conversion “perfect”. I don’t know many planes which are
prevented from flying because their engines are 10-15 pounds too heavy, or not
nicely painted, or have some oil leak through an old seals, or have some other
minor concern, but I do know a lot of never- finished projects that were
started by perfectionists.
As a last
word, I ask you not to copy any part of this brochure or the enclosures.
I will be
waiting for your feedback and suggestions for changes or corrections to this
brochure. Fly safely!
Vassili Tarakanov