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Thread: jabiru 3300 or 912

  1. #1

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    Default jabiru 3300 or 912

    time to start thinking about which engine for kfss. have 3300 sitting in shop but would get 912 if was much better choice. hot in arkansas and wondering if cooling the 3300 would be an issue. and reports arent overwhelming about performance with 3300. any one running a 3300 and what prop and prop dia are you using. dont see why i cant run a 70 inch prop on the 3300. what is the prop dia that the 912 guys are running on the series 7 and the ss. is the jab performance less because it is being run with shorter props. keith

  2. #2
    Administrator RandyL's Avatar
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    Default Consider build time/hassle

    I'm sure others will comment on the relative differences of the engines, but you might also consider installation time and hassle. Kitfox Aircraft offers a turn key firewall forward kit for the Rotax, not so for the Jabiru so you'll need to engineer a few things for yourself. This can be VERY time consuming.
    Randy Lervold
    TeamKitfox.com Admin Emeritus
    Day job: www.dynonavionics.com

  3. #3

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    Default 3300 or 912

    well i am not exactly enamoured with the idea of spending another 20k. hopefully they will get cheaper when the govt stops treating the dollar like toilet paper.(like that will ever happen) so i have been giving my jab another look. at least i paid alot less for it as i got it a long time ago. i know they can run a 70 in prop ok and if performance can be as good as the 912 i might run it. wondering if anemic performance reports in kitfoxes are with those short props. its 40 lbs heavier but it slightly better lb/hp ratio might make up for that with the right prop. going to talk to someone locally running one in a zodiac 601 to find out about cooling it in the summer. keith

  4. #4

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    Default Re: jabiru 3300 or 912

    jab 3300 tbo 2000 hrs according to zodiac website. i thought i remembered it used to be 2000 hrs with top end at 1000 hrs. but that was awhile ago and its possible it was extended after the engine had more time in the field. the one in the zodiac i looked at has been flown in temps around 90 and did ok. there were some cooling mods like a larger lip on the trailing edge of the lower cowling, and a small lip on the top of the pilot side cooling air intake to scoop more air off the propwash. no problems with ground cooling at taxi rpms as i was worried about. have committed to this engine and ordered a fwf kit for it. will put a 70 in prop on it.

  5. #5
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
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    Default Re: jabiru 3300 or 912

    I've been watching Jabiru's progress or lack of progress since the late 90's. Most of us in my area that fly the Rotax do so because of reliability, greater choice of props. that will work with the Rotax and of course the huge number of them in service that are performing well above expectations. Support is of great importance too when spending the kind of dollars it takes to purchase a Rotax and Jabiru engine. I'll keep rooting for Jabiru, Rotec and others as we need more viable choices for our airframes and competition is good for everyone. Right now though Rotax has to be outselling Jabiru at least 10 to 1. The Rotax 912 series has served me better than I ever could have expected and it would take a phenomenal engine to get me to consider anything else on my Kitfox. In the meantime I'll keep flying trouble free and watching for what's coming over the horizon.


    DesertFox4
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  6. #6

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    Default Re: jabiru 3300 or 912

    I mounted my Jab 2200 on my Model II Kitfox replacing the original 582. I also researched engines and read all the AD's I could find. Bottom line, being an older pilot I just could not resist the direct drive, the sound of the opposed engine and the incredibly fine workmanship of the Jabiru.

    Jab provided the engine mount, propeller and spinner. Installation was straight forward, the only difficulty was in maintaining my round cowl.
    The Jab fits 4 inches forward of the Rotax necessitating the addition of 4 inches to the forward cowling.

    The weight of the 582 plus liquids wound up being somewhat more than the entire Jab installation (about three pounds) with no change in W/B. I figure I lost a few pounds and gained 24 hp.

    I have close to 400 hours on the Jab with only 1 issue. A small piece of grit became embedded in the #2 intake valve readilly visible on a leak down test which I perform every 50 hours. I removed the head in about ten minutes and had the valve seat buffed. Back together in ten minutes and no problems since.

    I can easily pass VNE at straight and level flight, climb at about 1200 FPM @ 70 mph. Normal cruise @75% power is about 90 true with an average fuel burn of 2.8 to 3gph of 100LL avgas. I can burn mogas but choose not to.

    I could not be more pleased with my engine although I have read some reports toward engine cooling. I installed a small transmission cooler on the plane only because I was flying a good deal in hot weather at the time. A long climb would heat up but if I stair-steped the climb it was pretty warm but okay. Since adding the cooler I also had to add an oil thermostat (180 f) to get the temps up enough for vaporization.

    My Jab purrs like a kitten, has plenty of power, great economy and a nice satisfying sound that I love. I don't mess with it or tweak it or try to modify it. There are 4 Jabs in my flying group and 3-912's. Both are great engines.

    Randy asked if I would post some pictures of my engine change out. Since I learned how to post now I will add them to my albums.

    You seem to be a great group. Hope to fly with you somedays.

    Pete

  7. #7
    Super Moderator Av8r3400's Avatar
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    Default Re: jabiru 3300 or 912

    How is your short field performance with the Jab and what prop are you running?


    Thanks.

  8. #8

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    Default Re: jabiru 3300 or 912

    Running a Tennessee 62x36 right now, a friend is borrowing my other one.

    I generally do not pull flaps on takeoff but I can get off in less than 150 feet with this prop, a little better with the Sensenich. Just a guess because I have never measured. But with a little wind it jumps right off and climbs well.

    Pete

  9. #9
    Super Moderator Av8r3400's Avatar
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    Default Re: jabiru 3300 or 912

    So much for needing a 6' prop for short field performance, huh?

    Jab sure does make a nice looking little motor, too. Best of luck with it.

  10. #10

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    Cool Re: jabiru 3300 or 912

    My friend in a Model 3 ordered the same Tennessee prop that I used but what they sent performed much differently. He could not get his takeoff rpm up past 2700 however he passed VNE at 2800 cruise setting.

    He returned the prop and they trimmed it apparently because it had the same numbers. This time he could get 3250 on climb but a much slower cruise speed. Now he has to carry 100/200 more rpm to cruise with my plane.

    His plane will get off the ground much faster than mine. When I soloed it I was surprised on how quickly it would get off and climb rate was 150 fpm better than mine.

    My point is that you can prop for short takeoff or climb or cruise. LSA prohibits in flight adjustable props so for me the Sensenich which is a 64x36 is a better overall prop on the Jab if I really wanted to do a lot of short field work. I can get in and out of a short - soft strip in the desert (500') with either prop.

    From my experience the planes with very short cabability cannot cruise with me.

    Pete

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