I have a BME 44 that I'm trying to sell and a clubmember is interested in it as a replacement for his G-45 on a GP Pitts. Does anybody have any head to head comparisons of the engines? I know the BME will be almost 2 lbs lighter, but what about performance. Right now his G-45 spins a 20 X 8 APC in the mid 7s.

This probably doesn't do you any good, but your friend will probably do better by getting an elec. ignition kit for his G45. That and by adding a set of motor mounts to your BME 44, the difference will be quite a bit less than 2lbs.

Powerwise, I don't think the difference, if any, is worth the expense unless you two are doing a trade.

If it is your BME 44, I'd think you'd have some idea of its performance. Why not just tach it for comparison?

I bought the engine and decided to go with a 50 and have never mounted or ran it. With reported RPM numbers all over the place, I'm trying to get first hand information from people.

The only way to get "first hand information" is by running it. As you said, reported RPM numbers are all over the place. Do a little comparison. Get both engines together on the same day with the same prop and run them. Then you can give us first hand info on the power difference that will be more accurate than just about any info you will find.

well, the so called side by side thing doesn't work, because when the engines are breaking in, the rpm numbers are meaningless. with a menz 20/8 standard, my bme started about 7100 and when broken in - several gallons later - was up in the 7500 to 7600 range. the bme is probably close to the g38, but whereas i know a lot of people who were flying aerobatics with the bme, i have never seen a g38 show up at a contest, or heard anyone sing their praises....ignition conversion or otherwise. 2lbs out of the nose is a heck of a lot. i sold the airplane a couple of years ago, but that 44 pulled a 14lb 29% edge around with real authority.

If his BME 44 is brand new, I can understand him not wanting to run it to find out. That would make it a used engine and worth less.

My Bme 44 is not yet breaking in. I use a Mejslik 20*10 and it is about 7200 rpms at the most. I guess a Menz 20*8 would do at 7500 easily.