Engine dilemma

[Monocock]

Ok, I'm on my third Kitfox, and this Mk3 is a keeper. I've put Grove gear on her and big tyres for getting around my farms. She's a lovely airframe and she's clean of corrosion etc.

The silver top 582 is no spring chicken though. As a result, I have two options:

1. New 582/99 - I wouldn't mess around overhauling a 2 stroke
2. A 912 installation, with all the cost and hassle.

My gut feeling is option 1.

Any thoughts?

My flying is mostly short trips, from short (<600 feet) strips.

[jmodguy]

582 would definitely mean less down time.
912 would mean a whole new firewall forward...
Regards
Jeff

[Esser]

How about a 670? More power and will fit on your existing set up.

[Av8r3400]

I love my 912. It is a great engine.

That being said, I would say your best bet is to stay with the 582. They are light and reliable. Your plane is already set up for one and it will be an easy installation.

Keep it light and it will perform very well.

[avidflyer]

If you go with the 582, in 300 hrs, you will be asking yourself the same question. If you can afford it, might make sense to go with the 912. Jim Chuk

[Monocock]

Thanks all. My gut feeling is to reamain with the 582, as it is a nice light set-up, and it's the ability to get off the ground quickly that I need, not endurance. I also only recently bought a IVO, so it would be good to get some use out of it.

I'm also concerned that with the fuel tank set up I have in front of the panel, that C of G would start getting quite "fronty" with a 912 up front.

I'll see what kind of a price I can get.

If an E box is not too costly, is there space inside the cowl for the starter to be on the front, or are any cowl mods needed?