PROs and CONs of Engine Choices

[Swanny]

I'll add my overly lengthy and fairly limited knowledge based opinion for whatever it's worth.. I am building an STi and having the same inner conflict with myself. I currently fly a M20K 252 Mooney. So for me, everything about the choices screams turbo. The confidence in knowing your making all available power no matter the condition is a very reassuring feeling. Your ground roll and climb out typically are not as proportional to altitude as they are with an NA motor. Plus modern technology is pretty dang reliable these days. However, let us all be honest for a second. These planes are not fast, they are not built to fly cross country at 200kts. They cannot get you from coast to coast within daylight hours. Therefor, why toss in the extra turbo'd HP right? Dollar for dollar the 912ULS wins everytime. The 912is is almost the perfect little engine for these planes. Modern fuel injection (which isn't that modern in the grand scheme of all things petroleum powered... it's 2018 people.) If the Titan wasn't such a heavy install, it would be my first choice (and was). The 912ULS is the lightest of the installs and by far simplest. So I see a very strong argument for going that direction, the KISS principle is a real thing... Personally, I don't know how I am going to afford it, but I know how much time, hard work, heart and soul will be put into this build, so I would kick myself if I did not put the latest and greatest into this plane.. I am sold on the 912is. But, the wife says we are putting the 915 in it soo... happy wife, right?!

Ask yourself this, if you were to buy a brand new car tomorrow, would you want it to be carbureted with a 8 track and AM/FM radio?

As far as STi or SS7.. Only you can deside that one. I argued with myself there as well. Dollar for dollar option for option it was cheaper for me to go the STi route, I'll make up the speed difference with the 915.. If I built a second plane, it would be a ULS powered speedster.