hello tim, randall grandpre here . you wanted to know about the viking eng. I like it!! was out flying yesterday and got to listen to a vw eng.  no comparison The viking is more responsive  it is almost scary how fast it spools up. runs smoother!!! i am running 12.6 deg. on prop and it max's at around 5,000 rpm. probably should reset to 12 deg. and try that.  the rate of climb varies500 to 800 fpm  at present. My eng. is one of the original's. there have been Quite a few updates as the r@d was still ongoing.The engine if ordered now would be bullet proof.  

I fly over some pretty rugged mountains here in N. ID. and feel real confident in the eng. my cruise varies with load and configuration.  Standard 701 at close to gross at 4600 rpm i  get about 82 mph. without slats gets about 86 mph.  OH and I burn auto non E. at $2.00 a gal. less and has averaged 4 gal. per hour. make sure you plan for ethonal in your fuel lines!!  the eng. is made to run on 87 oct. ethonal.  gotta go later randall

Hi Tim, my fld. elev. are 2200 t0 2500'  Wt. on nose is 193 and empty wt. is 628'. C.G. is 1 person and gas= 14.5 and 2 p. and baggage is= 17.3 in. You would have to talk to viking about the prop. , warp dr. is all they warranty. When it comes time for maint. the honda core swap is easy and cheap compared to rotax's price for cyl. and pistons.let alone the rest of the stuff for an O.H.   if you order the eng. get the prewired switch setupfor $400, it will save a lot of time and frustration. they are getting everything about rapped up with a maint. manuel and updates so now you won't be r@d ing like I did!!!!!! Still happy with the eng. randall

Hi Tim, I must have missed your post. I like the Honda engine and am not having many problems with it.

Thinking of getting another one for a 750 Cruzer.

Dan