How easy is it to make a Rotax 240 hp?

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MountainDude

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I am excited about how easy it would be for Rotax to make one. Not easy in absolute sense, but relatively easy compared to bringing a brand new engine like the DeltaHawk.
They could add 2 cylinders to their 916 and it would go from 160 to ~240.
Or they can make a larger 4 cylinder, say 1.7L or 1.8L, instead of the 1.35L 916.
916 is amazing in many ways, except when more power is needed.
 
Last edited:
asicer said:
If it were so easy then why did they kill the Rotax 936 20 years ago?
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The claim was lack of market. I think 240 HP could be a great sweet spot. Probably not enough market/too much competition in the 300hp market
 
People overstate the technical ask. It's 100% a market disincentive, since the current production (Cirroids is pretty much it) market is already married to rent-seeker designs like Lyco/Contis, and the retrofit market is as small as the Piper Arrow turbonormalizing one I once wished to be part of.

But no, it's not that an increase to a [180 thru 240]hp continuous class is "too much power" for a modern reduction unit in 2026.
 
The cylinder pulses are the challenge. Three per rev vs two. You also have gearing issues if you're using magnetos. Developing a new engine ain't for the faint of the heart or everyone would do it.
 
Don't know about the making of the sausage but it sounds like it would be good.
 
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