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10-12-2010, 03:21 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Missouri
Posts: 6
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Which Engine for a -8
The 10,000 dollar question I,m sure has been asked! First 180hp, 200hp? Kit engine, certified engine, find a used one to rebuild etc. What do you experts recommend as the best combo for a -8. I,m a tall, 250 lb. newbee pre-planning a -8 and would appreciate any input. Thanks Wayne
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10-12-2010, 04:31 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 427
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IO-375
Next question?
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10-12-2010, 05:38 PM
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VAF Moderator / Line Boy
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,256
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I'll get back to you, as soon as I answer my current puzzler "What is the nature of Truth?"
Fact is, there is no single answer, and it all depends on your circumstances, what you want the airplane to do, and what you mean by "best". If we can't even get folks to agree on the definition of "performance", it's pretty hard to pick a power plant to maximize it....
Paul
__________________
Paul F. Dye
Editor at Large - KITPLANES Magazine
RV-8 - N188PD - "Valkyrie"
RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
RV-3B - N13PL - "Tsamsiyu"
A&P, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Dayton Valley Airpark (A34)
http://Ironflight.com
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10-12-2010, 05:46 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Missouri
Posts: 6
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IO 375 ? Paul yes your are right with what you say, however comments are good and educational just as long as the receiver uses the comments to make his/her decision. You like the 180 in yours? Wayne
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10-12-2010, 07:57 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: St. Helens OR
Posts: 429
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whatever makes you happy
I will say that if you have a good engine mechanic that you could help rebuild a engine I would do it that way, or go to one of those experimental build schools. Knowing what exactly goes into the engine will pay dividends later on in the ownership of the plane. Knowledge is power.
Randy 8A Flying
0-360
sensenich FP
Bendix Mags
Basic 6 Pack
Dirt Simple
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10-12-2010, 09:38 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,275
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No smaller than O-360. Constant speed prop highly desirable to most pilots.
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10-13-2010, 06:29 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Charleston, WV
Posts: 139
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whmc
The 10,000 dollar question I,m sure has been asked! First 180hp, 200hp? Kit engine, certified engine, find a used one to rebuild etc. What do you experts recommend as the best combo for a -8. I,m a tall, 250 lb. newbee pre-planning a -8 and would appreciate any input. Thanks Wayne
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I asked Van that same question at Oshkosh a few years ago, and while he did not give a specific reccomendation, he did explain that the RV-8 was designed for an O-360 at 180 HP.
So, after talking to him and several other people about this same issue, what I plan to use is an:
IO-360 at 180 HP,
fixed pitch, 3-blade, Catto prop (but with a plugged, hollow crank just in case I decide to later upgrade to constant speed),
most likely a certified Lycoming.
However, you will have to make your own call on this issue.
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10-13-2010, 07:06 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 184
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Will it make a difference if the question is biggest bang for the buck? I've been considering the same question. Though I'd love to have a new Thunderbolt, I doubt it's in my future. Suggestions for reliable "good" performance for the best price? It seems when people ask if this used engine is a good deal, there are many replies that by the time it's rebuilt they're up to near the same price as new 180hp.
__________________
Loves to fly
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10-13-2010, 07:19 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Grand Prairie, Texas
Posts: 232
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Fly
I thought I wanted an IO390 for the RV8 I'm building. Then, I flew in an RV4 with an O320 rated at 150 HP, and I realized that I didn't need all of the HP a 390 brings. The airframe performs amazingly well with moderate power, and you may find, no matter what you put in it, that it has more capacity than you do. I bought a mid-time O360A1G6D that I am overhauling, and have replaced the 8.5-1 pistons with 8.9-1 pistons. I'll have less than $15,000 in the engine when it's complete, about half the cost of a new O390.
The short answer is to try to fly in several aircraft and observe the performance. Then, get what you want and can afford.
__________________
Mike Gray, A&P IA, AET, KGPM, Grand Prairie, Texas
1956 Bonanza for sale.
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10-14-2010, 10:22 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Birmingham,Alabama
Posts: 62
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I put an O-320 D2J (160hp) in mine(first time runout and the price was right $0). But before putting it in though I put in 9:1 pistons and a different crank and used a C/S prop. Painted it weighed 1044#. I weighed 235# at the time and it will out run a "V"tail Bonanza!!! It's a Van's plane, no matter what you put in it's gonna go like stink and will be the best plane you've ever flown!!! Can you tell I'm a "Van Fan"!!! Have fun with your 8. Oh, and BTW I talked to Van himself about my choice of engine and he said that the 160hp O-320 with a C/S prop was the best choice for W&B, performance , and fuel burn...about 6.5 GPH!! and with 42 gals -man you better have a relief tube!!!
__________________
Joel McMillian VAF#1954
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