Price Increases and Engine Sticker Shock

[engineerorange]

was the understood rule when it came to buying the older 2 stroke outboards. Didn't matter if it 40HP or 200HP, it was $100/HP. I can imagine they have increased by 30-40% easily with all the fancy variable valvle timing, electronic ignition blah blah blah by now. And the people with the $35k bass boat and the $40k truck say flying is expensive.

Originally Posted by robpar

Yesterday I saw a neat little motorcycle so I decided to see who made it and went the the Yamaha site. While there I looked at their outboard motors and talk about sticker shock, it is a good thing I have a strong heart, $32,000 for their big outboard, $32,000.

I will still complain about the price of aircraft engines, but not as much or as loudly as before. Did I mention $32,000 for an outboard.

Bob Parry

[Gary Bricker]

If everyone who needs an engine just puts it on hold I bet Lyc will see the light in about 6mo. Worth the wait.

[Mike Macon]

Maybe I am missing something here but I just looked at Van's prices for experimental engines and they appear to be the same as last year. I bought an X0-360 A1A in August for the same price they have listed today. The other engines also appear to be priced the same.

[Tom Hunter]

One of the sources for ECI kit engines that you might consider is http://www.lycon.com/

Kenny Tunnel is the owner. Here in California many experimentals (and certified planes) are flying with Lycon engines.

In my case I purchased an IO-320 mildly leaned on. It put out 202 hp on the dyno. Kenny ground runs each new engine 5 hours on their dyno and you get a computerized print out with a number of interesting parameters.

I can go fast and burn 9.2 gph at 7,500 feet or slow down to 160 and burn 4.9. I prefer to go fast.

At last years Reno Air Races, Lycon engines were running in 27 racers....Shawn Tucker has used Lycon engines for many many years.

I just talked to Kenny today and his business is still running a back log which to me shows that cream always rises to the top.

If you can't go full boat on a new engine, you just might find a way (if you're not in a rush) to get something that will be very special and not break your bank account. Kenny is a good guy and if you get an opportunity to talk with him and tell him your situation, you might be surprised what you can work out.

I know this sounds like a commercial, but when you work with a quality company like Lycon, you want everyone to know what fine folks they are.

Tom Hunter

[Transporter]

Mike,
As I said in the opening post, the price for an IO-390 now tops $39K. Mattituck's website now says "attractively priced at $39,100." BPE has also raised their price to the $39K bracket for this engine.

Smaller engines (I've been watching IO-360 180hp) have also gone up in price and the prices are being reflected on various websites as they are updated.

Van's has been closed over the weekend but I plan to call them tomorrow. Van's website (like everyone else) has the usual disclaimer "Prices subject to change without notice" but I'm hoping the increases haven't hit them yet.

My intent is not to bash any vendors-it just seems strange that we're seeing such a large price increase. I'm sure most of them aren't happy either-I know I wouldn't be if I were in the engine business!

Thanks Jay-I'll check out America's Aircraft Engines-didn't have any price info from them on my spreadsheet.

Mike

[N55CU]

You can't beat Mattituck! Prices are the same as when I bought my IO360 almost two years ago and after 180 hrs of flight time I could not be any happier with their product.
Randy Utsey
N55CU / RV-7
Charlotte, N.C.

[APACHE 56]

Mike,
Got this off the net a few minutes ago. I noticed that Barrett doesn't put his prices on his website now. As I recall the 390 was about $34K a couple of months ago.
Aero Sport Power IO-390 (210 H.P.) Engines:

Constant Speed Outright with Lycoming Roller Tappet Technology $ 36,500.00 US

Don Stiver

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by Gary Bricker

If everyone who needs an engine just puts it on hold I bet Lyc will see the light in about 6mo. Worth the wait.

Well, let's see....

With the downturn in the commercial aircraft business;
and everyone building Van's aircraft putting their engines on hold..

Maybe Lycoming will be shutting it's doors in six months..

I don't think this is the best approach

L.Adamson --- RV6A

[APACHE 56]

Aero Sport Power Engines lists their 390 for around $36K. Barrett used to show their prices but I see nothing is listed anymore.

[rv8180]

Originally Posted by Transporter

Looks like the going rate for the IO-390 is now upwards of $39K. That's a big jump from the $33K ballpark in 2008/$31.5K in 2007.

I'm also looking at IO-360 engines and I'm starting to see similar price increases for other experimental engines.

Are price jumps this large normal in the industry? Or is this due to lack of competition for Lycoming parts now that Superior has closed its doors?

Any rumor of engine specials for Sun-N-Fun?

Mike

That would definitely have killed the 390 for me. Glad I've got mine already.