At Oshkosh '02 the Jabiru rep indicated that the engine will not be producing until 2003 - too late for my project. Spring 2003 update: Jabiru started producing its engine about mid April but it turns out that it was derated down to 180HP which is slightly low for my plans.
I decided to get a 6 cyl. 200+ hp Franklin engine. Velocity aircraft has successfully installed Franklins and stocks an engine baffling shroud.
09-23-2002 Update: Purchased a low time logged (1430 hrs) Franklin 6A-350-C2 6 cyl engine from Franklin Aircraft Engines Inc. highly recommended by the company owner. Will install new cylinder liners and valve guides checked/replaced, the camshaft checked/surfaced and all new rings and camshaft/crankshaft bearings. The engine came with a rebuilt, yellow tagged crankshaft.
The camshaft turned out to be a reject beyond repair and somehow I wished that the engine seller warned me about it. The problem is obvious enough after I got more experience with it. Managed to get a reasonably priced good used cam from A-1 Service in Jewett, TX (903-626-5115 Susan). I also found Bruce Kown, another Franklin dealer (Cartersville, GA 770-386-7435) very helpful and willing to give advice even when I made no purchases from him.
11/12/02 The total price of basic rebuilt engine (without accessories) came out to $9,900. A factory new one was about $16,300.
Fuel pump(s): For some reason, Franklin had a recall on fuel pumps and they were expensive and hard to get. So I am going for a dual Facet electric pump setup.
Ignition system: Dual LightSpeedEngineering Plasma II ignition.
Electrical system: Dual independent electrical systems with double battery: First battery for main fuel pump, avionics, RG power and left ignition; second battery for starter, second fuel pump and right ignition. The alternator will charge both batteries through a simplified battery isolator circuit (see circuit details)
05/26/2010 update: Rotec TBI and new 8.5 pistons installed - see TBI and 8.5 pistons installation description.
Franklin engine mods. - includes some by John Burnaby (March 2011 +).
TCM IO-360-C engine:
06/06/2011 Purchased experimental remanufactured 0 time TCM IO-360-C engine to
replace the Franklin after some issues with the new 8.5 piston and TBI
that could not be resolved in reasonable time and funds.
03/22/2009: I contacted some half dozen propeller makers in my search and it seems they were all behind in production at least 4 weeks. Some of them were 6 months behind (like Prince props, albeit they would turn it out fast if you pay a 50% premium). Sensenich props advertised a special prior Sun-N-Fun. But after contacting them and expressing interest they never got back to me. That is amazing for serious recession time. More people should go into propeller making.