Looking for intel, operational experience for the stroked Conti C-85, is it as good as everyone says.

It'd be interesting to see how it stacks up against a big bored Rotax 912S, both in thrust and weight. As much as I like my Rotax, I sure liked the A-65 in my T-Craft, especially the sound, especially at idle. I remember the A-65 being pretty light also, when I had it out. The thrust/weight ratio between a stroked 85 and the Rotax may be very close, a lot of the Bearhawk LSA builders are planning to use the 85, and as that's a plane that has caught my eye, that engine has also, looking forward to see other reports on it.

Absolutely fantastic engine. My pops and I installed one in a Luscombe and flew it for 500ish hours. Turned a typical ‘cruise prop’ (McCauley 1A90 7151) to max allowable static rpm and would happily cruise 2350-2400rpm (100mph) burning under 4gph of mogas.

I've yet to hear anyone that has one, complain about it. They pretty much all sound like Whee!!
John

Over on the Bearhawk forum, one pilot published data for some flight testing he did with his Bearhawk LSA, powered by a Bob Barrows modified C-85 that is probably putting out something over 100 HP. The climb performance was flat out amazing, and even going through 10,000 feet it was still climbing like a bat out of hell... Sold me on the concept of "stoker C-85", for sure! Way better performance than comparable O-200 powered Bearhawk LSAs.