VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #1  
Old 09-06-2017, 11:55 AM
Av8torTom's Avatar
Av8torTom Av8torTom is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Yardley, PA
Posts: 1,334
Default O-360 170 hp

Anyone have an opinion on the 170hp O-360 for the 9A?
Less than the 180 hp variant that Vans recommends against, and as an essentially 'derated' 180 it may have to work less hard than the 160hp O-320.
I think the extra weight up front in the 9 might also be helpful.

Thoughts?
__________________
RV-9A (empennage completed, both wings completed, fuselage and finish kit completed, engine hung, working on panel and wiring)
N677AT reserved
Superior XP O-320, 160HP
Picture log: http://s271.photobucket.com/albums/j...8tor215/RV-9A/
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-06-2017, 12:03 PM
Fred.Stucklen's Avatar
Fred.Stucklen Fred.Stucklen is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Brooksville, FL
Posts: 356
Default O-360

I helped a builder put a standard 180 IO-360 onto his RV-9A. Weight & Balance worked out fine with a Cato three bladed prop.
__________________
Fred Stucklen
wstucklen1@cox.net
RV-7A N924RV Flying (1825 Hrs & counting)
RV-6A N926RV 875 Hrs (Sold)
RV-6A N925RV 2008 Hrs (Sold)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-06-2017, 12:11 PM
grubbat's Avatar
grubbat grubbat is offline
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ga
Posts: 662
Default 180hp

That would be a fine engine for the -9. As with any of the Vans designs, good situational awareness of TAS would be prudent to keep in mind, whether in level flight or with the nose pointed earthward.
Note: I have a "slow" -9 with a 180hp with CS and I can not exceed 180TAS in level flight. (I went with hub caps instead of the pressure recovery wheel pants for the time being and I've got a bunch of draggy antennas)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Av8torTom View Post
Anyone have an opinion on the 170hp O-360 for the 9A?
Less than the 180 hp variant that Vans recommends against, and as an essentially 'derated' 180 it may have to work less hard than the 160hp O-320.
I think the extra weight up front in the 9 might also be helpful.

Thoughts?
__________________
Craig

RV-3 Sold
RV-4 Sold
RV-6a Sold
RV-9 IO-360 CS, Built and Flying
Aerostar 600A, Family Hotrod
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-06-2017, 12:21 PM
schmitty340 schmitty340 is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Louisville
Posts: 87
Default

I have that motor in my RV8 and it has been fantasic. O360-B2C

starts easy and will run on any fuel. wear numbers have been very low in oil analyst over the last 600 hours. I run this motor hard with high rpms/aerobatics and it has been very reliable. I'm also running a 3 blade catto on it. My cruise proformance mirrors all the RV7/8 that I fly with. I do notice the less HP on the takeoff, but it would be negligible with a constant speed prop.
__________________
Dave
RV-8 N8782D--Flying
Dues Paid

Last edited by schmitty340 : 09-06-2017 at 12:24 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-06-2017, 02:37 PM
JohnInReno's Avatar
JohnInReno JohnInReno is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Prescott Valley/Chandler AZ
Posts: 351
Default Nose weight

I opted for a 320 and I am happy with that decision. If you are going with the bigger engine, pay attention to the weight on the nose wheel as well as the weight and balance:

http://www.vansaircraft.com/pdf/Nose...ice_letter.pdf
__________________
John Morgensen
RV-9A N946PM 600+ hours since 2013
Nevada/Arizona
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-06-2017, 04:39 PM
Av8torTom's Avatar
Av8torTom Av8torTom is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Yardley, PA
Posts: 1,334
Default Thanks

What's the consensus on getting one slick mag and one p mag?
__________________
RV-9A (empennage completed, both wings completed, fuselage and finish kit completed, engine hung, working on panel and wiring)
N677AT reserved
Superior XP O-320, 160HP
Picture log: http://s271.photobucket.com/albums/j...8tor215/RV-9A/
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-06-2017, 04:55 PM
punkin punkin is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Northern Colorado
Posts: 276
Default I think it's a great idea...

For the reasons stated by schmitty, that would be an ideal engine for me! Low compression, run on autogas, with a constant speed prop.

In a perfect world I'll find a -6,-7, or -9 someday set up that way and replace my 150hp FP -6.
__________________
--
Scott
1995 RV-4 bought from original builder
1993 RV-6 (sold to good home)
2002 Rans S7 Courier
Double exempt but happy to contribute! Dues paid 2016-2018
www.know-love.org
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-06-2017, 05:21 PM
Av8torTom's Avatar
Av8torTom Av8torTom is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Yardley, PA
Posts: 1,334
Default

Interestingly, the 170hp O-360 and the 160hp O-320 are about the same price from Superior Air
__________________
RV-9A (empennage completed, both wings completed, fuselage and finish kit completed, engine hung, working on panel and wiring)
N677AT reserved
Superior XP O-320, 160HP
Picture log: http://s271.photobucket.com/albums/j...8tor215/RV-9A/
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-07-2017, 05:38 AM
agirard7a's Avatar
agirard7a agirard7a is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Newport, RI
Posts: 705
Default Pmag

Hi Tom. I switched the right mag for a Lightspeed 3.
Starts well. Have not flown the plane yet. Soon!
I personally think the 0320 160 hp will be fine here at sea level.
Plane weighed in at 1025 with wood prop. CG is fine with 75 lbs of bags.
What is the weight difference between the two engines. My opinion would
Be to keep the nose wheel light.
__________________
Al Girard, Newport, RI
N339AG
RV-9

Last edited by agirard7a : 09-07-2017 at 05:40 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 09-07-2017, 09:21 AM
Av8torTom's Avatar
Av8torTom Av8torTom is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Yardley, PA
Posts: 1,334
Default Weights

Weight range on the O-320 is 276-280lbs
The O-360 is 290-297lbs
So a maximum difference of about 25lbs
__________________
RV-9A (empennage completed, both wings completed, fuselage and finish kit completed, engine hung, working on panel and wiring)
N677AT reserved
Superior XP O-320, 160HP
Picture log: http://s271.photobucket.com/albums/j...8tor215/RV-9A/
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:37 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.