I just took a big turn around in my desired engine for my CH-750, switching from Rotec R-2800 to the Jabiru 3300.

Today I took another look at the Jabiru 3300, 120 hp engine and really liked what I saw. I was comparing it to the stylish radial engine, the Rotec R-2800. I like the fact that it is only $17,500 new and sold in a town not far from where I live now here in Tennessee. It includes all the accessories including mounting for that price. They also sell the front cowling/nose bowls for the engine (they show an engine mounting process for a on a 701 or 750 on their website: http://www.jabiru.net.au/). Their support seems to be great for novice builders like myself, even giving classes on the engine and installation. I like the fact that it is air cooled, no radiator that carries more coolant weight, and its weight is just 180 lbs. (81 kg.) and incl. Exhaust, Carburetor, Starter Motor, Alternator & Ignition System & Accessory pack. It packs an extra 10 horsepower, lighter, cheaper and doesn’t require special cowl modifications over the Rotec 2800. It would give me better streamlining, as you don’t have to build a special cowl for the engine like the Rotec R-2600 and cost about $5,000 less. It will be easier to find a qualified mechanic to do general maintenance on it and would probably be easier to get TBO for. The only problem I have is the carburetor issue as I believe in fuel injection for reliability, but I believe I can get fuel injection for the Jabiru from Rotec which makes the TBI-40-S fuel injector for only an additional $765.00. For me this device would be worth it in fuel economy savings and dependability. It’s a direct drive engine so it doesn’t need any special gearing down which would save me the extra weight of a PSRU. After I just wrote all its pluses down here, I think the pendulum just swung over to Jabiru from Rotec. I must have a thing for Australian engines. Jay P.
  • Phill Barnes

    Go the mighty Jab.

    Good choice.

    Regards
    Phill (Australia)
  • Sebastien Heintz

    Good choice. We've flying with the Jabiru 3300 engine in both our Zodiac XL and STOL CH 750 demo planes.
  • Jacob

    Hi Jay,

    Personally I don't why you would have any less reliability with a carby engine especially one that controls the mixture for you. I personally admire the simplicity of them especially on aircraft. The only real downsides are icing and not as good fuel economy. Although the rotec injection seems like a pretty good value system although still not a true multipoint injection system from what I could see (only had a quick look at the website) and is still would suffer from icing. Those ul engines look like a pretty good setup on the fly with gus website although they don't have a 6 pot one yet they are true efi which is a great but also introduces more potential for problems. Oh yeah lycoming are just releasing a new lsa efi engine too bet it's not cheap though. Definately no lack in choice thats for sure. Good Luck!
  • Richard Simmons

    Hello Jay,

    I live close as well. I live in Murfreesboro, 25 miles from Jabiru!I wound up using a Jabiru myself. Well proven and simple in design. Convenient as well as good folks!
  • Phillip Owens

    Dear jay, Congratulations on your decision to swithch to the 3300 jabiru, I am runing the 5100 8 Cyl on my 801 and I can tell you it is as smooth as glass. I am not sure you would be making a good choice in changing from the Altitude compensating carbys that come with the jabiru and going to the injection system, it adds complexity to the system as well as cost and currently I don't know who would be able to give you the required specifications on ratios and timing that would match. It would be a shame to blow up such a nice engine by changing to a system not designed for the engine. Consider the engine was designed to be easy to operate and repair in the outback of Australia, thats deep in the bush, it also has a proven track recors with the Bings so perhaps the change would only be a source of unnecessary expense. just food for thought.
  • Phill Barnes

    Hi Jay
    Just a few updates about Jabiru. Stephen Smith on this site has purchased the Rotec TBI-40 injection system so it may be worth talking to him about the quality and functionality of this item. Here in Australia, there is a man by the name of Wayne Johns who is a Jabiru guru. He has developed an electronic fuel injection system for the Jab engines and is in high regard with Jabiru Aircraft company. I can't fin an email address for him at the moment but his phone number including country code is 618 8556 5562 . The word from the Jabiru staff is that Rod Stiff is also contemplating designing an electronic fuel injection system. I will ask him about it next time I visit the factory. Worth keeping an ear to the ground with the jab web site if that is the track that you would like to head down.

    Regards
    Phill
  • Jay Parker

    Thanks Phil that’s very good news to hear. I'm still far from getting the engine and fuel injection, so I hope by then Jab and Rod Stiff have worked something out. Some folks wrote back saying that the Rotec Fuel Injector wasn’t a true fuel injector so an alternative is good to hear. I will archive this message from you in case nothing develops by then. I received a lot of responds to my choice of using a fuel injector to the standard carburetor that comes with it and have been told by other folks who fly around here that besides the slightly better fuel economy it helps under conditions of icing where some carbs may freeze. I probably won't be flying very low most of the time as I have the Appalachian Mountains surrounding Knoxville, TN and I need to scale over the Cumberlands from here in Tennessee to get to Ohio where my family is from, so the freezing issues at 9000 to 10000 ft. do concern me. Thanks again for your response, as all the info I can gather is beneficial.
  • Bob Simmons

    The 3300 is my choice too, and I'm extrtemely interested in what you might find out about fuel injection, particularly if it's intended to work on the 3300. I want to fly my plane in the wintertime and don't want to worry about carb icing.