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-   -   RV-14 Engine choice (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=98748)

Mike H 07-16-2015 05:53 PM

If you already had a good Continental IO-360, and you felt like spending an extra year building the firewall forward it might be an attractive option for you.

On the other hand, the Continental IO-360 is the most expensive normally aspirated engine in aviation, they cost about $48k new and parts for them are also very expensive.

Rocky005 07-21-2015 06:01 AM

Lycoming and other engine options
 
Hi All
Now that Vans Oshkosh 2015 lycoming specials are online, link here
https://www.vansaircraft.com/pdf/Van...et_Oshkosh.pdf

Vans built the rv-14 for the io-390 and thus they don't provide information for other engine choices.
But other then these forums how do first time builders obtain details that help us plan our power plant? By the way these forums are great, I'm not taking a shot at anyone.
I know the RV-14 was a new model from vans, I am progressing well with my kits, and due to dollar/currency pressures i may need to buy our engine soon or lock the dollars in US$.

I have a lot of experience with automotive engines and I fly certified aircraft. Id like to go with electronic ignition but id have to retrofit if I buy the IO-390, sigh.
I know Most LAME's prefer magnetos but mechanics said the same about automotive engines 20 years ago. Ie mechanics would say "you wont get spares in the middle of no-were, best stick with points and don't buy electronic ignition..."
I also find information provided on elec ignition misleading as a failure with one vendors ignition system seems to be used to bunch all ignition systems together. The P-Mags seem to present a great safe alternative, again the other ignition products also look great.

I may purchase an io-390 engine via the Vans special but I am concerned Vans don't provide the engine with "options" such as alternators, belts, pulleys or an exhaust. Id also prefer these options are pre-fitted to the engine but I'm not sure this is possible before crating for delivery?

Vans do not yet also offer the firewall forward kits, again making planning hard.
Weight and Balance data is also sadly missing, again making informed choices difficult.

I have been sent some great information from aerosport on the wildcat 382.
But id like to hear from other RV-14 builders please, who may be more advanced on fitting a IO-390, wildcat 382 or a titan? What is the general opinion regarding RV-14 engine options for weight and balance, baffles, exhaust and cowl clearances please?
I have not seen any examples of RV-14 engines fitted other then the RV-14 tail dragger with the IO-360.

rwtalbot 07-21-2015 07:47 AM

Rocky,

As a fellow Aussie I feel your pain. I suspect that many RV14 builders will be looking at the IO-382 or IO-375 to save some weight. At $35k the IO-390 is probably not that much more expensive than the 382. The big drawback to the 390 for me is the cost of replacement cylinders (and possibly other specific parts) if you ever need them.

The IO-375 can be built from a core by changing the crankshaft, cam and pistons so you could save some money there.

I don't think having the accessories installed is an issue as you would only need to remove them to fit the engine - and they will probably not come installed at all.

I have a set of PMAGS and love them, but it is true that any of this stuff that needs to go back to the US for repairs will ground you for 3-6 weeks, so worth considering.

I'll let someone else comment on W&B if they can. It might be too early. With other models it is possible to get the engine mount changed to support moving the CG around. I.e. the O-320 mounts are longer than the O-360 for the RV7.

kamikaze 07-21-2015 07:51 AM

Although I'm not building yet, I've been struggling with the same questions ... and the same US dollar exchange issue!

Whatever options they do not give you with the engine, will be in the firewall-forward kit, of that I feel fairly confident. Since the engine I believe gets basically shipped from Lycoming directly, that's the way they have to do it.

You can probably find a shop that will take that Lycoming and parts of the FFW kit and further prepare it for you should you so wish ... doesn't *have* to be a clone for you to get that service.

The 382 + 200RV combo and the rebate that you get with it is certainly a very appealing option in theory. The different dimensions on the engine from the 390 could cause some experimenting to be required ... though van's now has experience putting an angle-vale 360 on a -14 ... how different are the 382 from the angle-valve 360 in terms of size and fit? (Obviously the cylinder head and rocker covers are different, so that will affect baffling).

Otherwise, you can be the experimenter, or wait to learn from someone else's experiments!

'tis frustrating, but the cost to pay of launching a build into a new model like this, and one reason I may yet go back to a -9A ...

dlrogers 07-21-2015 04:44 PM

Have you considered the Superior XP 400? It is angle valve engine very similar to the IO 390 and Superior will install the P Mags during the build.

Don

Yank 07-21-2015 05:36 PM

Or maybe a ECi/Titan angle valve 370 engine with a counterweighted crankshaft ( 200 HP + ).

jswareiv 07-21-2015 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlrogers (Post 999696)
Have you considered the Superior XP 400? It is angle valve engine very similar to the IO 390 and Superior will install the P Mags during the build.

Don

Ly-Con did the same for me, added the PMags and other enhancements for performance and economy on a brand new Lycoming IO-390. I spoke to all of the major players last year at Oshkosh and they had the best product for the price and a great reputation. Recommend them strongly. I went with the Lycoming engine, so hopefully Van's baffles will match up exactly.

pazmanyflyer 07-21-2015 06:08 PM

Don't forget ACE...
 
...Kevin with Advanced Component Engineering (ACE) could build you up a 238hp ACE-428R engine. Looks like his setup is starting to ship engines. The ACE website (http://www.ace-performance.com/) mentions you can overhaul your engine with ACE components too. A little more money sure, but another option.

https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedCom...type=1&theater

Rocky005 07-28-2015 10:39 AM

Fitting a 382 wildcat
 
Thanks guys, you have provided some great engine options.
I am keen to see pictures, has anyone fitted the Wildcat 382 (or any engine for that matter) on an RV-14 yet? I know its early days on finishing kits but I also know how fast some of you are a building :).
I've seen the RV-14 tail dragger but no detailed pictures of the IO-360 engine fit out.

Also I know the 382 Wildcat is a very simular size to the IO-390, is anyone able to provide details on how well the Vans supplied baffles would fit the 382 wildcat?
Anyone see any other issues I should consider before I stray from the IO-390?

Mike H 07-28-2015 12:36 PM

Even though the HP ratings and weight are very similar, the IO-382 is a parallel valve engine. The -14 firewall forward kit was designed for an angle valve engine. You would need to fabricate or modify the baffeling at a bare minimum.

What props are apporved for use on the IO-382? Is it approved for Mogas? What is the torque rating at typical cruise RPM? What are the advantages vs the IO-390?


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