Auto conversion - Engine Choices

[fairchild1934]

THEN-- there is the whole topic of small turboprop engines. There is one made here in central florida in association with an engine co. from
Check Slovakia--- weighs about 150 lbs and makes 260 HP. Then here is a walter 601 if you wanted to do a bearhawk 5 sized Kit----- I think its in the 650 HP range---- and still lighter than a io-540 ......

[Sir Newton]

Walter 601 burns fuel like a 6yr old drinks coolaid! 35gph nothing less

[davzLSA]

IMHO the turbine would be the way to go but they usually would cost more than the airframe.

[zkelley2]

Even more of an issue is the fuel burn. You'd need more than the long range tanks to keep any type of range with the thing. And now you're carrying most of your useful load in fuel, so there goes even more of the utility.

I looked at it pretty hard and the airplane just isn't designed for it. The 4ft engine mount you'd need to keep the cg in check, the 25-30gph. If you really want a turbine like the bearhawk, look at the sherpa.

[Hewko]

Just to get the debate on auto engine conversions going again, I believe this is an LS376 they are using.

https://airfactsjournal.com/2022/10/the-20-hour-cessna-172-experiment-update/