Subaru NSI-E81 Engine 100HP with NSI re-drive

[FL510]

There is a plane in my neighborhood for sale with the following engine:

Subaru NSI-E81 Engine 100HP with NSI re-drive

Is this a good engine? How long between overhauls?

I've been in the market for a LSA for a while now, still looking for something that agrees with me. Came close to a couple Aeronca's, but the deal didn't work out. Figured I should expand my horizons:

The plane is a Kitfox 4 in Massillon, Ohio on Barnstormers.

[Av8r3400]

The Subaru motors are good motors, but are fairly heavy for a Kitfox IV or earlier. It makes the plane basically a single seater.

[Mnflyer]

Do more research on the engine and the NSI redrive, and as posted it is much to heavy for a Kitfox 4, if you want a 4 stroke engine look for a plane with a 912 installed.

[SS7Flyer]

Boat Anchor. I have advertised a break in time only one with everything to make it go including gauges and I couldn't even give it away. Cost over $12,000 new time it was installed. It's HEAVY!

[wannafly]

My Kitfox IV had a subaru in it when I bought it. It ran good but is definitely heavy. I didnt realize how heavy till I put the 912s in it. I wouldnt buy another with a subaru. Just my opinion

[rogerh12]

Is this a gear box or belt drive engine? The belts are preferred now days, as they have some give to the power pulses and weigh less I believe. The Avid guys love these engines though, especially if those on a budget that live down south were you have a lot of heat to dissipate. But I see these engine packages going for a few thousand often, so I would not value the engine package at much more than 2-3K when appraising the plane as a whole.
Roger

[SS7Flyer]

Subaru NSI-E81 Engine 100HP with NSI re-drive

The redrive is the issue with this motor. I'm sure it works great but it adds some serious weight to an already heavy motor. Just wasn't a good match for this airframe.

[Dave F]

Kitfox 4 with 582 or 912 will be 500 to 640 lbs empty.

I'll bet this one weights 800 lbs plus , basically a one person plane now.
these tanks should have been outlawed !!!

You can kiss your STOL performance good bye.

Plane would be a good buy around 10k$
That being said someone might buy this as equipped and love it.
There are Suberu lovers out there and some have good luck.
I am not one of them.



Cheers

[RedRooster]

I have the first NSI Kitfox 4 with a Subaru conversion from 1993. I have flown it without any trouble for 450 hours. Yes it is heavy at 725 with a BRS 1200 chute in the back (about 30lbs). Performance is good with cruise at 100 MPH at a little over 4 GPH. Climb is about 800 FPM. While I think the 912 is likely the best, I would rather have the Subaru than a two stroke despite the weight. I would not be afraid of the Subaru with the right set up.

[rogerh12]

Yes, the rebuild cost will be very low on a subaru engine too...the rotax 912 ? Not so much.
Last time I check the parts alone were over 10K from Rotax.
Roger