Good news
If Ross is helping or trading info with Jan. cool, great.
Ross's posts, I think, are based on fact. Sure he is a proponent, enthusiastic about auto engine conversions, clearly. Nothing wrong with that.
Appreciate Jconard strongly worded motivation:
"I am worried that other home builders will be taken in, and financially hurt or worse," but I don't see any thing bluntly faults or miss leading. We are all big boys and girls and make our decisions based on facts and realistic expectations. The info is on the web for anyone to see.
When it comes to safety I do get wrapped up around the axial. I don't see there being a real safety issue. The Lyc is a known and a simpler power-plant. I say simpler because of less systems, re-drive, water cooling and electical only ignition fuel delivery. Still the reliability is reasonable on those extra auto engine systems.
Besides safety, good info and facts to make the alternative engine decision is important. Folks like Ross put their plane where their mouth is. Granted his installation may be better than the average Subie installation, still it shows what can be done. It's not all perfect & pretty, but he shows it all. You can't ask for any thing more.
Ross's business is not our business or questioning his motives needed. As long as I have debated Ross on this subject, he has been consistent and fair. Clearly if you want the Con of his Pro, just look other post, including mine. No need to repeat my self. When it comes to "truth" I don't think that's an issue, just different opinions or sides of a fair and valid debate.
The one thing I railed against in the past, my pet peeve, was rhetoric & propaganda for auto engine's that "they're modern". What does that mean? Nothing, "modern" is an emotional red herring. It has nothing to do with the complex issues of converting a car engine for aircraft use. Clearly the more you know about a Lyc, the more you appreciate the precision and special purpose design. It's still hard to beat a Lyc in almost every catagory (weight, cost, performance, simplicity), even if the basic design is 50 years old. Some times "farm tractor technology" works; the more things change the more they stay the same.
Electronics have changed the most in the last 50 years, but mags, mechanical FI, carbs and fuel pumps still work the same. The claim to fame of a self sufficient mechanical engine is no battery or alternator power needed to keep running. Don't confuse simple with crude. Simple is often elegant and promotes reliability. That does not exclude complicated designs, like a re-drive and EFI, which can be reliable as well.
Buyer beware? If Jan has a brand new part, like a new drive, I would not buy it until its flown for a year on several planes and has some hours, significant hours on it. Significant hours is what? You decided, 2000 hrs or more with a tear down inspection? It's just common sense to me, don't be an unpaid test pilot is my motto.
Clearly Jan's newest designs, re-drives or what ever, are unproven or less proven. Caution would tell builders wait till a new product is out and flying around before sending in money. Even an in person demo flight would be in order. At least that's what I would do. Others may go for it sight unseen. Some one had to buy the first, second, third...... RV kit. More power to them (pun intended).