HKS 700e

[Jazzenjohn]

There is a new 4 cycle aircraft motor out called the HKS 700e. It puts out 56-60 hp and weighs 121 lbs all up with starter, exhaust, oil bag, etc. Two different gear ratios with an invertable gearbox. How about this as a motor option? It should have lower fuel consumption and be quieter than the Rotax with a higher TBO at a signifigantly higher cost. Here is a link to the site. What do you think?

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/hks_aviation/english.htm

[GyroRon]

Real users of this engine say it has about the punch a Rotax 503 puts out. So it won't be good in a heavy gyro. Would be great for a Ultrawhite, or Monarch, or lightly built Aircommand. Might even be a good engine for a Gyrobee.

They are very reliable, and mostly trouble free. One of the best SMALL engines on the market.

[Jazzenjohn]

Do the people you know that have them think the additional expense is justified? Is it really about 1/3 less fuel and that much quieter than a Rotax? There seems to be quite a few ultralight fixed wings and trikes that offer it as an option. BTW Thanks for the info.

[barnstorm2]

Anyone know the price?

[Victor Duarte]

Hey ! this is he engine i saw some days before when i wen to my airport.
it's mounted on a ch701 ..danm or a aeroprakt 22, the 2 were flying this day..and i saw the engine, i dont remember whitch one had it.
i can easily ask some questions and take pics.. this WE maybe

[GyroRon]

yes the fuel burn is less, but not by a huge margin but certainly at least a gallon a hour less than a 503 Rotax. It is also quieter.

Do they think it is worth the extra expense?? Don't really know. It is more than double what a 503 costs to buy and is about the same power. you won't make that up in fuel savings. Some like the sence of security of flying a four stroke and I guess that is what made them decide it was worth the extra money - not to mention that the engine was first marketed as a alternative to the bigger Rotax 582 not the smaller 503, the 582 and the HKS is much closer on price than the 503 is.

I forget all the details, but this is about what happened..... The first batch or run of engines that HKS had shipped and were out in the field being flown, apparently had a problem. Don't remember what the problem was, but there was a chance a part could fail or the engine could overheat or something. In other words most of the users were having no problems with their engines, but HKS found that a problem Could crop up. What did HKS do about it???? They recalled all the engines out in the field, and replaced them for free with brand new updated versions. Not many companies that would do that.

HKS is a big aftermarket maker and supplier of Go fast goodie parts for Japanese cars and trucks. They are well known for their turbocharger kits and other bits and pieces.

[GyroRon]

I fly a 582 and I burn 3.5 a hour at Cruise. Will bet the whole farm on it! Saving a gallon and a half a hour is good savings over a LONG term, but I find it extremely hard to believe it will only burn 2 a hour. My Lawnmower is about the same size engine - in cubic centemeters - and is also a twin cylinder and is only turning 3600 rpm making 25 horsepower. It burns at least 2 a hour.

[hcaliste]

I have no experience with the HKS engine, but I've lurked a lot on a couple of yahoo newsgroups where they talk about the HKS 700e. The most knowledgeable on the subject say that powerwise this engine comes in somewhere between the Rotax 503 and 582, depending on the application. And it seems that the bigger the prop you swing the better. Lots of these engines are on trikes and PPCs. I've also seen it mentioned that it takes about 40 hours for the 700e to develop full power. Again YMMV.

Herbert

[quadrirotor]

Did anybody look at this Vanguard 1000cc/36hp/3600rpm to compete the HKS700?

[David_Hill]

This webpage has a lot of info on the HKS 700e.

http://www.ultralightnews.com/reviews/hks-engine.ht

David Hill

[David_Hill]

Sorry , the previous web page address should have read:

http://www.ultralightnews.com/reviews/hks-engine.htm

David Hill

[mvadney]

Try looking at the Hexadyne P60. It is an opposed 2 cyl. with 60 Hp and 56 ft/lbs of torque. The torque figure is on par or slightly more than a Rotax 582. It is fuel injected and American made as far as I know. It goes for about 8500 ducks and is currently in production. A TBO of 1200 hrs. Take a look at: http://www.hexatronengineering.com/prod02.htm

There is also another engine that will show up soon called the Aero-twin. It is out of NZ and should have an honest 65-70 hp. Try www.aerotwinmotors.com.

I currently fly a Hirth 2706 FI. A very light motor. I don't believe in its 65 Hp claim. It's more like 60 Hp. Very smooth. I have had two engine out landings. One of them was definitely my fault. Steve Kozned definitely has the dream engine, but man... that's some bucks there.