I am on a very tight budget. I have a man building a 79" Yak for me and it calls for (and is built around) a DA50. I really can't swing $600 for a new engine and Muffler, so how does the BME stack up against the DA??? The big thing is Weight, Length from fire wall, and power.

Any help would be great. I am NOT educated on gas engines.

First, the DA with muffler, shipping and prop jig is $680 not $600. The BME is about $100 less and is also a fine engine. However, it is a beam mount so that is a small additional consideration. Powerwise, it will turn perhaps 200 rpm less than a DA on the same prop. Both engines are MORE than enough for a 79" YAK.

If you could swing about 650 you can get the DA dont' really need the prop jig,, and the customer service is exceptional, I have heard alot of good things about BME but never had any experience with one.

I just received my DA50R, std muffler and drill jig shipped to my door, totalled $652
I've also been running a BME 50 for a while now. From my observation, the DA is quite a bit stronger. On the same plane (scratch built 85 inch 3D w/1800 sq in @ 17 lbs) the DA gives better performance but the BME is pretty strong also.
We run the DA50 with a 24x8 and the BME50 on a 22x8. The DA with the larger prop is outspinning the BME50 with the smaller prop.
Both are good engines, but IMO spend the extra few bucks and get the DA50, amortize the extra cost over the years and it is really not much extra at all.

Can the BME be mounted other than the beam mounts? Are there any back plate mounts for it like a cup mount?

I have the BME in an Midwest Extra...beam mounted. I didn't have any problem with the beam mount at all. I took a GreatPlanes 1.20 size(the adjustable one), glued it together, so it was basically a one piece mount at that point. Then I simply cut it directly in half, cleaned up the cuts on a belt sander, and had 2 perfect beams to mount the BME. Very easy to do, and lightweight, and absolutey no problem as it was very familiar to do that way...for about $6.00. So don't let the beam style mount detour you. I can say that the BME is a very good running engine, it's been in the plane for about 2yrs now, with no troubles at all. I've got about 7gallons of gas through it now, so it's just coming around nicely. I can only imagine a DA50 would run as good or better, and by reading these posts, I can say you probably won't go wrong with either one.
Either one will require a battery pack and switch harness of some sort though. Also a muffler that isn't included. The pitts-style runs right at $100 for the BME I think.
For a battery pack, I use a 1400Mah ni-cad, with a standard futaba switch harness wired onto the electronic ignition module. Thereby letting me charge the whole airplane with a Futaba style connector.

The beam mounting of the BME is fine, just use the Great Planes adjustable mount (modified a bit) or the Hanger 9 ultra mount (metal).
You won't be disappointed with either of these two engines. I have a BME-50 on a Great Planes Patty wagstaff Extra @ just under 16lbs. and the power to weight is awesome. I have a DA_50 on order, which will go on my Wild Hare Edge which will come out heavier than the Patty, but reports have been very favorable with this combo. The Wild hare should come out to be 16-1/2 to 17 lbs.

What is your Yak going to weigh.

The DA Pitts muffler is about $100 also. The DA swings more prop! Save a little longer for the DA. But if you settle for the BME you will be happy(just not real happy) Get the prop jig to do it right!

Greetings,

I flew this past weekend with my DA~50/ WH Edge "against" the same plane with a BME~50.
The BME owner had some needle/transistion issues, which he appeared to work out and on his last flight a dead stick that put him out in the field ripping out his LG. (No major damage, thankfully)
MY DA had only about 10 tanks so I too was richening up the bottom end for better throttle response.
The owner of the BME said he ran out of fuel, and that surprised me as I didn't think he was up THAT long.
I'm not sure if the DA gets better "mileage", but perhaps it's possible.
All I know for certain is I haven't had a dead stick on my DA for 15 tanks now, (knock wood), and furthermore I don't expect any.
I sure was sorry/sick to see that plane out in the sticks, though.

$680.00[X(]

I just paid 700 for all you see here. DA-50, prop jig, Mejlik 23-10, KS tuned pipe, header and all the goodies.
RickP

Both are great engines. The BME is a very well designed and modified chainsaw engine. I saw one on it's break in flight and it was excellent. It was not tuned to peak but performed very well. The DA is a more aircraft specific design.

I just don't understand all this break in stuff on these engines. Use a prop that will not overload the engine, tune it for 200 rpm rich off peak and do about five, five minute runs allowing to cool between each run to thermal cycle/stress relieve the parts and start to seat the ring. Set the low end for good transition, check the top end again and fly. It should not need an adjustment again until you change to synthetic oil in a gallon or so. Once it is broken in you should need to lean the needles slightly using the same prop. But if you install a prop with more load you may have to richen.

If it don't run good on the ground it won't get better in the air.

That's one sweet looking engine. I have found a deal I can't pass up. It's a BME 50, 4" aluminum spinner, electronics, all with less than 3 gallons through it. All for $$$$$ I can't say, but I am going to buy it.

Ive had 2 bme 50's and a 44, all great strong running engines, You will be very happy with that purchase.
Not enough difference between the two to be a significant detemination running wise to me. The DA I have seen on a PW didnt fly any better or different than mine with the bme 50. Go for the good deal and keep the extra dollars in your wallet

I have the BME 50 in a Great Planes Patty Wagstaff.I love this motor!!!!!Will pull the Patty out of anything.If I had the chance I would try the DA50.I heard it will turn a 24*8 or something like that.My BME turns a22*8.I would liketo try a Mejalik 24*8.

Thanks for all the help. I can always depend on the RCU groups to help out.

I have 2 DA-50R's and i have to say, the motors are AWESOME. 6900 RPM on a MENZ 24x8 after about 1 gallon. started at 6450 right out of the box. also ran a 23x10 MEJ at same RPM. no issues with the motors. fly it in a DP 330L Extra. both motors have been in the airplane. they kick ass.

i ran the tank dry one time and deadsticked it, ripped the firewall out, but no damage to the motor or the menz!!

i have 3+ gallons thru one and 2+ gallons thru the other. i may buy another one from dave at toledo, if they aren't already spoken for.

i have their DA 100 as well. just awesome products. spend the extra money, buy a DA!

cheers

joe

ps, nope im not sponsored by DA, although i can always dream!