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-   -   IO540 Lycoming Thunderbolt vs Reg Lycoming (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=169008)

Subwaybob 02-21-2019 03:09 PM

IO540 Lycoming Thunderbolt vs Reg Lycoming
 
Is the only difference that you can paint the Thunderbolt? They seem to have the same HP. The reg experimental is 260, so it the Thunderbolt. Both are IO540's. Is the any reason to get it or not to?

rocketman1988 02-21-2019 03:26 PM

Differences
 
I am pretty sure you can customize the thunderbolt whereas buying the regular lycosaurus, you get what they built...

bkervaski 02-21-2019 03:28 PM

The rods and pistons are balanced and cylinders are polished and ported -- overall smoother engine. It will make more power than stock. They also dyno and test run on the bench. And you get to pick the color :) https://www.lycoming.com/engines/thunderbolt

RV10inOz 02-21-2019 03:46 PM

I have done 25 hours of test flying on a brand new RV10 with a thunderbolt and 3 blade carbon fibre Hartzell.

I normally fly behind a stock IO540 and two blade.

My observations;

Don't get it painted black!
No appreciable HP difference although there may be one or two.
Was very smooth and it may be partly the prop, but it was smoother than our engine by a small amount. And we dynamically balance ours, the test aircraft has not seen a balance yet so the engine and prop must have been good out of the box.
Lots more $$$, and even more so with the prop.

Would I do it, no not likely but each to their own.

YMMV

rdrcrmatt 02-21-2019 09:17 PM

Balanced rotating assembly, pistons, rods, etc. Roller cam. Port and polish, volumetric balancing of the cylinders.

We went with dual slick mags, we will get a CPI2 in the near future. And a Airflow Performance fuel servo.


Vic Syracuse told me to get the Thunderbolt. I listened and I'm glad I did.

dejavu 02-21-2019 10:30 PM

I asked the same question to the Lycoming representative who gave a presentation at our local airport. His reply was they both swing big heavy weights at the end. He recommended the prop. dynamic balance, to balance the system.

These are aircraft engines; the parts need to conform to design specs, thresholds, and tolerances. The thunderbolts may conform to tighter specs and weights, but do these improvements overcome the prop/system's imbalance.

steve murray 02-22-2019 05:50 AM

Titan Option
 
For those looking for IO540, don't forget about Titan option. I recently had a Titan clone delivered. Working with James Ball and Titan team was very good. They worked with me to build\ship and IO 540 D4A5 clone minus the fuel ignition system so I can install SDS electronic ignition and fuel injection.

The engine was run 3 hours using slave ignition and injection system and then shipped to me.

Pricing was very competitive and they have worked with me to resolve minor issues. The one issue for those having an engine built to keep in mind is the Van's supplied governor requires longer case studs than those on std engine.

paszekj 04-04-2019 04:18 PM

Why not black?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by RV10inOz (Post 1326476)
I have done 25 hours of test flying on a brand new RV10 with a thunderbolt and 3 blade carbon fibre Hartzell.

I normally fly behind a stock IO540 and two blade.

My observations;

Don't get it painted black!
No appreciable HP difference although there may be one or two.
Was very smooth and it may be partly the prop, but it was smoother than our engine by a small amount. And we dynamically balance ours, the test aircraft has not seen a balance yet so the engine and prop must have been good out of the box.
Lots more $$$, and even more so with the prop.

Would I do it, no not likely but each to their own.

YMMV

David, have to ask. Why not black? I was just looking at the 90th anniversary Thunderbolt at Sun ?n Dun and the matte black looks really cool.

cderk 04-04-2019 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paszekj (Post 1337008)
David, have to ask. Why not black? I was just looking at the 90th anniversary Thunderbolt at Sun ?n Dun and the matte black looks really cool.

For me, i?d Imagine it would be harder to look at the engine and see places where oil was possibly leaking. I ordered mine. I?m getting it painted red :)

RJornd 02-17-2020 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV10inOz (Post 1326476)
I have done 25 hours of test flying on a brand new RV10 with a thunderbolt and 3 blade carbon fibre Hartzell...


I'm looking at this exact set-up for my -10 build. What was your average fuel burn rate?


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