Great Lakes Aircraft and Warner Engines are jointly conducting a market study to determine the interest level for the installation of a Warner R-500, 165/175 horsepower engine in a Great Lakes.  

In the past, many Warner radial engines have been installed on Great Lakes airframes and the combination is an excellent match. The sturdy Great Lakes airframe and the smooth-running seven cylinder Warner radial engine are well suited for each other.

The Great Lakes Aircraft Company, by special arrangement with manufacturer Waco Classic Aircraft, will offer a limited number of NEW Great Lakes for sale powered by the venerable Warner R-500 Super Scarab engine. 
 
From the firewall aft, the new production Warner-Great Lakes will be identical to its Lycoming powered cousin, with only a couple of exceptions. There will be ailerons on the lower wings only, and the airframe will have a different and distinctive color scheme. 
 
Performance numbers for the new Warner-Great Lakes will be approximately the same as the Lycoming powered Great Lakes. Construction will begin once a minimum number of aircraft orders and FAA approvals have been received. Price $242,500. 

If you currently own a Great Lakes and would like to replace the Lycoming AEIO-360 engine and propeller with a Warner R-500/165 HP radial, we would like to hear from you. The complete re-engine package includes a zero time since major overhaul Warner R-500/165 engine (175 hp for takeoff), new Sensenich wooden propeller, new engine cowling, new engine mount, new intake system, and new exhaust system. Price of the complete and installed firewall forward package is $64,500, slightly less if you wish to exchange your existing firewall forward hardware.

What do you think? I would like to hear from you. Please contact me,  johnaduncan@msn.com.