Here is a link to an article I wrote on converting my EA-81 back in 2001.

I am no longer flying behind the EA-81 direct-drive turbocharged engine. However; when I was, it included:

• 1984 1.8 liter EA-81 engine
• EA-82 water cooled turbo with carbon seal
• Automatic wastegate actuator (7.5psi)
• Aero-Carb 32mm carburetor
• 5/8" 4130 tubing motor mount
• Nippondenso 45 amp alternator
• Dual electronic ignition (single plugs/MSD coil joiner/GM coils & control modules)
• Valeo starter
• Aluminum prop hub
• Aluminum flywheel w/ring gear
• Mild steel intake manifold
• Mild steel exhaust system
• Turbo boost gauge
• Carb heat box
• Air filter box
• Coolant swirl pot w/pressure cap

Cruise was between 3300-3500rpm and burned approximately 4-5gph. Without using any boost the aircraft performed similarly to the 70HP Revmaster that was previously installed so I approximate the output at 65-75hp. With boost the aircraft performed better than previously so I approximate the output at 80-90hp. Total weight of all included components is approximately 206 pounds.



Performance with this engine was:

• Cruise: 140mph
• Climb: 1000 ft/min
• Stall: 80mph
• Touchdown Speed: 85mph

Turbocharger Calculation Spreadsheet




The following images were drawn by an engineer who used an EA-81DDT on his airplane. The prop hub & flywheel that I built were based on these drawings and were very similar. I believe the only change was to the flywheel diameter so it would match the ring gear that I selected.

EA-81 DDT Flywheel
EA-81 DDT Prop Hub