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Has anyone heard of a conversion from the Rotax A1 to a IO 240B from the C1? I’ve had it with Rotax and with C1 prices absurd at the moment I’m considering this as an option.

With Rotax seeming to die out in popularity in the USA, especially the certified version, I’m guessing this is going to come up more often.

I would have to have the plane registered as Experimental.

Fuel system compatability? Fuel lines large enough?

Electrical? Engine electrical?

Cowl comparability with the speed screw locations on the fuse?

Engine mount direct bolt up?

Thoughts?

Here are my thoughts.

The A1 and C1 are very different airplanes. Research some of the articles on the differences. Wing, tail, landing gear, firewall forward.

Converting to experimental after spending a boatload on a conversion is also less than desirable. The airplane will be worth little to nothing. The experimental market is very different.

The Rotax is a great engine. Reach out to Lockwood Aviation in Sebring, FL or Rotec in Canada for additional help. If anything, the Rotax is getting more popular - especially in the Light Sport and Experimental markets. I thought Diamond had reintroduced a Rotax powered DA20 in Europe?

If it was running fine before the maintenance visit, something occurred at the maintenance shop. I'd get to the bottom of that first.

The engine mount will be different. The Continental is air cooled, so a completely different cowling.

Hi Nick,

I agree with Keith. I will add though that there are a lot of common parts between the A1 and C1. I wouldn't bother pursuing the IO-240 conversion route though,

What issues are you having with Rotax? Feel free to contact me privately if its easier.

good luck,

John

I wonder if anyone has done the conversion?

With such limited support in North America from a service standpoint I imagine lots of people will have the same problems.

Virtually every A&P knows Continental and Lycoming well enough to diagnose problems, and support from both aftermarket and the factory is very good.

This is not true yet for Rotax.

Maybe there will be more factory trained mechanics, perhaps there will be better parts and service support someday.

Owning this engine has been an expensive struggle.

So my plan is to do what I should have done 6 years ago and get a C1 or a da40.

Now if only prices would come back down