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-   -   Engine Sizes (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=7703)

rv8ch 05-12-2006 12:16 PM
Engine Sizes
 
This is totally obvious, but I'm always amazed a the size of aviation engines that have been installed in RVs. Here is a quick list of displacements in liters and cubic inches. I've got the two popular Subaru engine sizes followed by the Lycomings. I know this is not a "fair" comparison, since the RPMs are very different. Still, I am just amazed that the Lycoming 540 is almost 9 liters! The Hummer engine is 6.6 liters.

Code:
Engine        Liters        Cubic Inches
Sub 2.5        2.5        153
Sub H6        3.0        183
O-235        3.9        235
O-320        5.2        320
O-360        5.9        360
O-390        6.4        390
O-540        8.8        540

Yukon 05-12-2006 12:26 PM
Corvette Engine
 
Mickey,

There's a guy here in Phoenix (Arizona) who has installed a Corvette V-8 in an
RV-6. I has a about a 300 lb useful load. Goes reeal faaast!

John

rv8ch 05-12-2006 01:12 PM
Experimental rules!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yukon
There's a guy here in Phoenix (Arizona) who has installed a Corvette V-8 in an
RV-6. I has a about a 300 lb useful load. Goes reeal faaast!
That's what it's all about - building what you want. I'm sure he'll be the first to admit that it's not practical, but I'll bet it was fun to build!

flyingdefinescontent 05-13-2006 11:39 PM
Mmmmmm, V-8 goodness
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rv8ch
That's what it's all about - building what you want. I'm sure he'll be the first to admit that it's not practical, but I'll bet it was fun to build!
I bet it sounds sweet too!

osxuser 05-14-2006 11:18 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by rv8ch
This is totally obvious, but I'm always amazed a the size of aviation engines that have been installed in RVs. Here is a quick list of displacements in liters and cubic inches. I've got the two popular Subaru engine sizes followed by the Lycomings. I know this is not a "fair" comparison, since the RPMs are very different. Still, I am just amazed that the Lycoming 540 is almost 9 liters! The Hummer engine is 6.6 liters.

Code:
Engine        Liters        Cubic Inches
 Sub 2.5        2.5        153
 Sub H6        3.0        183
 O-235        3.9        235
 O-320        5.2        320
 O-360        5.9        360
 O-390        6.4        390
 O-540        8.8        540
Yep, engine size is only one function of power, RPM is also a big factor, which is why the subes can put out the same HP as a engine twice their size. Twice the RPM...

Of course props can't go that fast... so the gearbox is needed. In theory, it's possible that a 'vette engine could put out as much power as a O-320 with no gearbox, but it's not designed for the HP that low in the RPM band. Whats amazing is with all manual controls, we can get a 5.9 liter IO-360 to get over 30MPG in an RV. Whats that about land-based vehicles being more efficient?


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