Turbo charger for o-300

[skyhawk4754]

Hello Everyone

Don't kick me off, I'm here from the POA board and I was doing a web search for turbo chargers for a o-300 Cont. with a wastegate and the search brought me to this forum......you must be the "Good Guys" eh.

Anyway is there anyone here that can point me in the correct direction. I have a 1957 C-172 with a o-300 that could use a little help on the high den alt days.

Thanks

Willie

[rv6ejguy]

If the aircraft is in the experimental category, I could help you match something up. If not, you'd have to see if anyone has an STC for this combo.

[N941WR]

Willie,

Welcome to the VAF!

The straight tail 172's are great airplanes, light and simple.

You might be better off with an O-360 STC for that bird. It will be simpler and possibly more reliable. I know, the O-300 is a very smooth running six cylinder but it is long out of production so parts are hard to come by and should you turbo-charge it, you will be buying parts.

Just my $.02

Oh, and the O-360, engine mount, etc. might cost less than a turbo.

[osxuser]

Yep, the 180 lycoming with a Constant speed prop should be what you are looking for. To the best of my knowledge no STC exsists for your application.

[skyhawk4754]

Originally Posted by N941WR

Willie,

Welcome to the VAF!

The straight tail 172's are great airplanes, light and simple.

You might be better off with an O-360 STC for that bird. It will be simpler and possibly more reliable. I know, the O-300 is a very smooth running six cylinder but it is long out of production so parts are hard to come by and should you turbo-charge it, you will be buying parts.

Just my $.02

Oh, and the O-360, engine mount, etc. might cost less than a turbo.

Would you be talking about the Continental IO-360KB or the Lycoming 360? Where would I head to get more info? Some people don't like handing out info unless your buying. I like to gather as much as possible b/4 I decide what to do and then make the purchase. My o-300 still runs strong and hope it will for awhile yet, but it does have 1650 hours on it so if I start to look now I won't be in a rush. I'm 6'3 260lbs and my son (taking lessons) is 6'5 250 lbs.....that doesn't leave a whole lot for mom and her stuff.

[KPmarc]

I'm sure there's one out there somewhere, but I'm not aware of any O-300 turbo installations, certainly never one from Continental itself. (Again, someone may find a drone or tank engine in the dark mists of TCM R&D, but I doubt it.) Just look at the lack of fins, and recall how hot the exhaust valves tend to run in this engine and the O-200.

There are really just two good options, I think: Do the Lycoming installation, which is available under and STC, or trade for a 180 or 182.

Marc

[skyhawk4754]

Originally Posted by lcnmrv8r

I fly a 57 also. I've looked at what you're wanting to do and couldn't justify it. The 180 hp conversion makes a great bird(especially when you move the little wheel from the front to the back during the conversion) but it's expensive. Lycoming O-360, mount, cowling, accessories, prop, stc, etc...

I'm pretty sure there's no stc for a turbo.

I would seriously look at selling it, taking the money it would take to upgrade, and buy a plane that fits the mission(180,182).

Just thinking out loud but considering fuel burn and some other factors you could probably buy another 172 and still come out saving money. Just a thought.

BTW, what do you consider high density altitude??

No way will I sell it.....it's a classic....I guess if I have a need for speed I'll have to do what you guys are doing and start working on a RV.
We have a 2100' grass strip at home and the other day the HDA was @4700' which compared to NM I'm sure that's not much, our elev is 1735' so it was somewhat of a change.