Can I use the Radial Motion engine in my aircraft?

The Radial Motion engine was designed with aircraft in mind. Please email us and we can discuss your aviation application.

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What vehicles does the Radial Motion engine suit?
Fitment is limited by your imagination and the constraints of your engine bay. 
As standard it fits the VW 5-bolt pattern, with a removable rear adapter plate that can be specified to suit a variety of gearboxes.

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How does this fit on a non-VW vehicle?
We will support most applications using custom bellhousings and covers. Custom flywheels and clutch solutions can be created for some applications. 

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Is it street legal?
That depends on your local jurisdiction. We have engineered a vehicle that is legal and roadworthy in South Australia, and has passed emissions tests making it suitable for modern vehicles as well as classics.

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What if I need spare parts?
Many parts, such as conrods, pistons and rings, valves, rockers, bearings, seals are all off-the-shelf after-market or OEM parts to suit GM LS engines, commonly available from your local auto supplier worldwide. 
Components such as cylinder heads, cranks, camshafts, heads and timing gears are available from us.

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Can you install it in my vehicle for me?
Yes we can! We can install and set up to your spec including wiring, induction and exhaust system. 

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How is it different from a traditional 1930s radial aircraft engine?
Our common crank journal is much simpler and more compact than the traditional arrangement of master and articulating rod assemblies. We also use an individual camshaft for each cylinder.

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Why would I choose this over a standard straight four engine?
If you are looking for an engine that is easy to install and remove, easy to work on and delivers reliable power, this is a good choice for you.
If you’re looking for something different and unique, this engine is for you.
It offers overall weight and weight distribution advantages over most other options.
The Radial Motion engine also comes standard with a dry sump setup.

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What does it sound like?
It sounds like nothing else on the market. 
At full noise it is often mistaken for a small V8, but not quite…  Think 3/8, not V8.
Click the play button to hear it…

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How is it cooled?
The engine is liquid-cooled, but requires a much smaller cooling system and radiator than an equivalent capacity 4- or 6-cylinder engine, due to its individual barrels.

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How does oil return from of the lower heads?
The Radial motion dry sump system features three scavenge pumps – one for each head, plus one pressure pump. The pumps reside in a cassette arrangement under the engine and are easily replaced.

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How are the cam gears oiled?
Camshafts and cam gears have individual squirters.

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What sort of camshafts are used?
There are three camshafts, one for each cylinder. It is a two-valve pushrod setup for simplicity and robust operation.

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Why does the engine use pushrods instead of a timing chain?
The main consideration was ground clearance of the two lower heads. By using pushrods, we were able to offset the rockers and valves to one side, lifting clearance height of the left lower head. The right head is then rotated 180° to give us the same clearance on the right side. Other reasons include availability off the shelf parts, reliability, and simplicity of engine assembly and service.

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What sort of clutch and flywheel is used?
The standard flywheel is a VW/Porsche Type 4 5-bolt flywheel.

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What about fuel efficiency and emissions?
Being smaller and lighter than most equivalent capacity engines, we anticipate fuel efficiency and emissions to be on par with engines of similar outputs. 

Everyone is shifting to electric, why have you made a new type of petrol engine?
If you need to ask this question, this engine is probably not for you! Radial Motion engines are all about individuality and fun. While mass transport moves to electric and hybrid, there is still room to make a little noise… 
Seriously though, we are working on hybrid options for this engine for road, motorsport, aviation and industrial applications where efficiency, reliability and performance are paramount.
The Radial Motion engine was conceived and designed as an aeroplane engine, and usable electric planes are still a long way off. As we began prototyping and testing, we figured a car was an easier and safer way to test the new engine, and discovered just how much fun it is on terra firma.