---------------------------------------------------------- Stratus-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Tue 04/28/09: 1 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 06:57 PM - Is the Subaru falling behind these days? (LarryMcFarland) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 06:57:24 PM PST US From: LarryMcFarland Subject: Stratus-List: Is the Subaru falling behind these days? Hi guys, The Subaru engine is still a healthy market, albeit a small one. Several of the marketers of FWF Subaru fell off the shelf because they promised more than they deliver and a few were just too proud of their product, i.e., pricing. When a good Stratus only costs $7000.00 and a few of its competition were asking three fourths of the price of an aircraft engine, the higher priced ones fell out of favor. There are still two good Subaru packages out there and they are Stratus and Ram Performance. There were issues that none of the providers seemed interested in addressing. One was cooling and the other was fuel mixture. Both of these are poorly understood by the average 601 builder. Marketing always seemed to be best provided by the guys that oversold product or tried to do too much with what they had. When the Subaru is modified too much to accomplish it's task, it becomes a one of a kind engine that can only be serviced or repaired by the seller's. This has happened to the Eggenfeller and several others that have introduced such complex components and modifications that few standard parts remain and the economy is lost. Those of us that fly the Subaru EA-81 enjoy great economy, simple repairs and a sweet efficiency of using auto fuel or 100LL. The sound is unique and smooth and the starts are immediate, even in cold weather. Most of the EA-81s will easily go to 2000 hours at the usual 4600 rpm and still show no wear on the cylinders. Yes, the Stratus and the Ram Performance engines need better marketing for the engines. On the down side, the Stratus EA-81 is a few pounds heavier for its 105 hp and the buyer does need to know a bit more about ignition systems, cooling and fuel mixtures to succeed, but it remains a great little engine that's really simple to work on and fly. Would I do it again if there were do-overs? Absolutely, in a heartbeat. I get calls quite frequently about the Subaru and believe their use is mostly understated. Most of them have gone on gyro copters because of their brute power and bullet proof performance while reliably keeping a less efficient machine aloft. At least I don't have to get AD's every week with some nit picky detail that just has to be done to keep the engine from turning into a hand grenade. Fly safe guys, Larry McFarland 601HDS at www.macsmachine.com With all the madness about Corvair engines these days it seems the Subaru engine has left the field. Is this just a passing fad, or did the Subie have some less than desirable quality that the Corvair engine lacks? Perhaps it's down to a talented promoter. Is nobody selecting the Subaru any longer? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message stratus-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Stratus-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/stratus-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/stratus-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.