CAMit 3300

CAMit 3300
CAMit 3300
Type Piston aircraft engine
National origin Australia
Manufacturer CAMit Pty Ltd
Major applications Light sport aircraft
Ultralight aircraft

The CAMit 3300 is an Australian lightweight four-stroke, 6-cylinder, horizontally-opposed air-cooled aircraft engine. Direct drive and using a solid-lifter valvetrain, the 3300 develops 127 hp (95 kW) at 3300rpm.

The engine was manufactured by CAMit Pty Ltd, of Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia.[1] CAMit has manufactured engines[2] for Jabiru since the Italian-sourced engines used by Jabiru became unavailable in 1991.[3][4] After receiving requests for and producing aftermarket Jabiru engine parts, CAMit went on to produce whole engines incorporating these modifications in late 2013.[2][5]

Many parts are interchangeable with the original components from Jabiru 3300 engine. However, in terms of component design, lubrication, valve train operation and metallurgy, the CAE engine is a completely different motor to the Jabiru design.[6][7]

The CAMit series of engines are classed as Experimental. Each serial number includes 'SLRE', designating 'Solid-Lifter Revised Experimental'.

CAMit Pty Ltd ceased operations and was placed in receivership in October 2016.[8][9]

Results of R&D program

[edit]
  • Improved crankcase sealing, and the addition of piston cooling jets[2][10]
  • The use of CAE-design 7/16" thru bolts[11]
  • 25+ modifications to the heads,[2] including use of an improved alloy[10]
  • Modified barrels: 10+ modifications, including thicker base flanges, improved honing process, and the reversal of piston orientation[2][10]
  • Improved flywheel coupling - lessens the chance of failure through various modifications[10]
  • Belt-driven 40A and 15A alternators to help damp the flywheel and provide charging at idle[12]
  • Redesigned rocker arms[11]
  • Modified oil cooler adaptor (TOCA also available)[13]
  • Breather/oil separator[14] (see photo; device connected to rear end of black hose)
  • Redesigned, easy to read oil dipstick[13]
  • Honda ignition coils, lifters, and starter clutches are used[11]
  • Ignition lead sets are assembled in-house[2]
  • CAE-design collectors and twin-exhaust system[13]

A number of accessories were sold to complement both CAE and Jabiru engines.

  • CHT Sensors[15]
  • TOCA (Thermostatic Oil Cooler Adaptor)[13] - blocks off oil passage to cooler until engine is at temperature
  • Digital tachometer sensor[13]
  • Engine inhibitor system - allows longer storage while preventing bore rust from occurring. Can be applied from the pilot's seat, just on shutdown.[16][17]

CAE not subject to CASA restrictions

[edit]

In December 2014, the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) imposed restrictions on all aircraft powered by Jabiru engines "in response to power-related problems involving engines manufactured by Jabiru Aircraft Pty Ltd (Jabiru)".[18] It was stated in Sport Pilot magazine shortly after this that "the CAMIT [sic] engine is not subject to the Jabiru operational limitations described in 292/14, because the engine is not manufactured by a person under licence from, or under a contract with, Jabiru."[7]

As of July 1, 2016, these restrictions were lifted for "most Jabiru-powered aircraft in Australia. Stock Jabiru engines that are maintained in strict accordance with Jabiru service bulletins and maintenance instructions are no longer affected by the limitations, which were issued in late 2014."[19]

Specifications

[edit]

Data from the manufacturer[2]

3300SLRE
Configuration 6-cylinder opposed
First run October 2013
Displacement 3300cc (201cu. in)
Bore 97.5mm
Stroke 74mm
Compression Ratio 8.45:1
Dry Weight 82.4 kg (182 lbs)
Max. Power 127 hp/95 kW @3300rpm
Max. Torque 285N.m @2900rpm
Power to Weight 1.15 kW/kg
Firing Order 1-4-5-2-3-6

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "CAMit". Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "New CAMit Aero Engines". CAMit Aero Engines. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  3. ^ Sport Pilot, February 2016 (PDF). Recreational Aviation Australia. 2016. p. 11.
  4. ^ "Background to the Development of the Jabiru". web.aeromech.usyd.edu.au. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  5. ^ "KITPLANES The Independent Voice for Homebuilt Aviation - 2015 Engine Buyer's Guide: Traditional and Conversion Engines - KITPLANES Article". www.kitplanes.com. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  6. ^ Garland, Ken (2015). AirSport, January 2015 (PDF). SAAA. p. 28.
  7. ^ a b Marcel, Arthur (2015). Sport Pilot, March 2015. Recreational Aviation Australia. p. 39.
  8. ^ "Demise of CAMit Aero Engines". jabiruna.com. Archived from the original on 23 November 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  9. ^ "Aviation manufacturer closure a sign of the times, industry insider says". ABC News. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  10. ^ a b c d "New CAMit Distributor". Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  11. ^ a b c "LAA Technical Leaflet TL 3.17: List of approved Prototype mods" (PDF). Light Aircraft Association. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  12. ^ Licheri, D (8 January 2015). "Replace stator, flywheel rotor magnet and regulator with belt driven alternator". Retrieved 8 August 2016.[permanent dead link]
  13. ^ a b c d e "New CAMit 127-hp engine at AirVenture". Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  14. ^ "Breather/Oil Separator". CAMit Aero Engines. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  15. ^ "Engine CHT Sensor". CAMit Aero Engines. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  16. ^ "Engine Inhibitor System". CAMit Aero Engines. Archived from the original on 25 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  17. ^ "Shop Talk, May 2015" (PDF). Sonex Foundation. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  18. ^ "Operational limits on Jabiru-powered aircraft". Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  19. ^ "Australia Lifts Restrictions on Jabiru Engines". jabiruna.com. Archived from the original on 10 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.