sigflyer_us

Folks,
I'm about to make a significant investment in a 150 to power a Composite ARF 40% Extra. I'd appreciate your opinions about the DA 150 versus the 3W 150 in terms of reliability, support, and power to weight ratio. It appears that 3W 150 QS has an edge on the DA 150 in terms of power as well as weight. What have been your experiences?

Thanks in advance.

Antique

My Feedback: (4)

I can help you make a choice...928 635 2455

P-51B

My Feedback: (5)

DA.

Hobbsy

My Feedback: (102)

Gentlemen, I need to apologize for messing this thread up, I was trying to help a guy out and accidently removed about three posts, please just repost if your post is gone. Thanks, Dave Hobbs

edgeman55

My Feedback: (25)

DA-Best motor best service-Bar none.

flyinrazrback

My Feedback: (69)

3W 150 Most power and torque, questionable service, DA almost as much power, but excellent customer service. Decide which one is better for you.

A320driver

My Feedback: (1)

Both motors have been in TOC winning aircraft, which by itself should be an outstanding recomendation. However I feel very much the same way as "Flyinrazback". The customer service from DA is second to none. After owning a DA 100 for 2 years I had absolutley no questions in my mind where to go when it came time to buy a 150 size motor. Gerhart (sorry if I spelt your name wrong) up in New York is the only good person I know for servicing 3W motors. DA is 2 hours drive from where I live, kinda makes it a no brainer for me!

gravityrulz

My Feedback: (2)

if you like working on engines more than flying, get a 3W. if you want to trash a few planes while Bobby experiments on your engine, buy a 3W from cactus aviation. if you like flying without constantly tuning or trashing your plane, buy a DA.

Kris^

My Feedback: (1)

Post removed by Moderator.

stomper

My Feedback: (20)

DA will run right out of the box, the 3W will require extra parts(carb snorkel, DA carb mounting block,carb diaphragm cover) to run right.

JPrc

My Feedback: (22)

BS

We have several 3W's at our club and they all run excellent. They do seem to take longer to break-in but they all run great. I have had a DA 150 and have a 3W 150. They both run great but I personally prefer the 3W. 95% of the time it is a user problem not a mechanical defect. Also, one individual on this thread that I know personally claims to have had terrible customer service. I know for fact that this person sent in a 150 QS that was bought SECOND HAND and the distributor replaced a bad ignition with a new style ignition free of charge and also changed the pistons since this engine was from a batch that had problems. He also gave this same person a killer deal on a 106. This is pretty damn good cutomer service. We are not even going to get into how this same person conned Keith at BME into sending him a 110. This certain individual knows who he is and needs to stop giving bogus info to others because several of us in the universe know the truth...Jonas

sfaust

My Feedback: (11)

I've used a 3W-100 for a couple seasons. Rock solid, no complaints.
I currently have three DA-150s. All rock solid, no complaints.
A close friend had a 3W-150 and a crank failed, 3W replaced w/a 3W-150QS, it also failed.
He replaced it with a DA-150 and hasn't had any other issues since.
I currently still have a 3W-24 in a small gas fun fly. Rock solid.
Another friend had a couple failures with some 3W-140, and switched over to DA's.
The service I got from DA has been exceptional (my fault, they fixed no charge, very fast turnaround).
I have never had the occasion to deal with 3W's service, so I can't comment.
I know of two others, one flies a 3W-100 and the other a 3W-150, neither had had any issues.

I personally am on the fence regarding 3W. All the engines I've gotten from them have run perfectly, as have the DA-150's. But the experiences a couple of my friends have had makes me somewhat leery, at least in the 140 and 150 size. For what its worth.

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

DA
But that's JMO
RickP

deputydog

I dont have the 150's but I do have a DA and a 3W! DA has the best customer service I've ever had to deal with. While Aircraft Intl and Gearhard is a close second. I had heard horror stories about some 3W's but as with all things the kinks have been worked out. DA had problems with cranks also! My 3W runs great without all the gadgets for the carb. It just depends on your app and how the cowl circulates the air.
I'm happy with both and I think you will be too either way you go(now, personally I prefer DA, it's lighter than its counterparts!)