Lycoming vs Continental Titan -IO540

[bruceflys]

I also took a look at the Titan IO-540 last week. It has the advantage of a new crankcase and crankshaft whereas the rebuilders have to source used, but serviceable ones. That said Lycoming does the same in their rebuilt (a.k.a. remanufactured) engines sold as zero time.

Rebuilders also use flat lifters vs. Lycoming's roller tappets. The merits of rollers are debatable; do a search on VAF Traditional Engines forum.

Titan's IO-540 has the major disadvantage of being newly introduced. I would like to see 500 hrs of actual use in the field before committing.

Lycoming has a custom build program named Thunderbolt. When I talked to them two years ago, EFI and electronic ignition from others, along with flow porting and balancing could be incorporated. Give them a call.