<<Wt. approx same as Continental TSIOL 550-C (water cooled, turbo charged)
don’t know what weight this is… anyone know?
Cost ~ $50K>>

I don't know the origin of the engine (BMW?), but after looking at lots of
engines for potential use I would have to say that getting a 4-liter V8
diesel down to the desired weight would be a stretch.  I'm sure the engine
has 4-valve heads which also add weight.  Burning jet-A would be desirable,
but as was reported it is about 10% heavier than gasoline.  Diesels have a
big fuel economy advantage in cars, but the biggest difference is at light
loads, not a factor in aircraft operation.  I'm sort of a diesel fan, but
for aircraft applications, I'm not holding my breath.  The engine is
supposed to weigh the same as a TSIOL-550C and Continental lists that "basic
engine" at 415 pounds, but they don't say what is included in that weight.
TSIOL-550 engines vary from 401 to 436 pounds.  The IO-550N is listed at 412
pounds so they must be leaving a lot of equipment off the list (turbos,
scavenge pump, intercoolers, plumbing?).

Gary Casey