Fuel Inject or not to

[rcarson]

Don't think my first post took so here goes again. I have opted for the 0320 Lycoming and would like some input on weather to go fuel injection or carb. don't really know the advantages but have been flying carb for 20 trouble free years. It is difficult to make an informed decision. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Mike S]

Injection has some bennies,

Much more resistant to intake icing.

Ability to run LOP, thus saving fuel.

Ability to balance injectors for smoother running, and better control of individual EGT/CHT.

Probably more, but that is what I am aware of.

[strahler13]

I vote for carbs. I've seen too many FI owners crank, and crank, and crank prior to starting. Mine always starts on the 2nd blade.

Mark

[Sig600]

When I was flight instructing years ago, we had a fleet of brand new C-172's, all FI. I had the starting sequence down to a science, and even hot I could get it to fire by the 2nd or 3rd blade. But yeah, on a hot day a hot start can be a bitch.

Carb is cheaper initially, and probably easier to install and maintain. However the long term bennies of FI are, as was mentioned, that you can run LOP with a good EI and better control of CHT and internal pressures on the engine, and longer life. There are some good articles on Avweb for both, but personally I'd like to go FI when it comes time for the motor.

[Garage Guy]

Originally Posted by Mike S

Probably more...

Flying inverted.

Though if you don't also have an inverted oil system, having the engine quit when you go inverted and lose oil pressure is probably what you want to happen.

As an anecdotal data point: in my experience, people who deal with aircraft engines a lot more than I do, like A&P's, tend to prefer carburetors. I was a bit surprised by that the first couple of times I asked the question, but the trend has held up. Reasons given are simplicity, reliability, repairability.

We have LASAR ignition with our O-360-A1A, and cruising at altitude I can lean about as well as folks flying injected engines say they can. Carburetor ice has been a total non-issue (so far).

That said, if I was building, I'd probably go with injection and some kind of inverted oil system, to open up the aerobatic envelope a bit. But the carbed engine we have has been working out quite well.

--Paul

[Jerry Cochran]

Originally Posted by rcarson

Don't think my first post took so here goes again. I have opted for the 0320 Lycoming and would like some input on weather to go fuel injection or carb. don't really know the advantages but have been flying carb for 20 trouble free years. It is difficult to make an informed decision. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I struggled with the same issue but finally bit hard, spent the extra $$$ and never looked back. Hard starting? Pretty much a myth, just have to learn the drill. I'll admit not as easy as carb tho... I just love running LOP, but of course it takes sensors to do so... Above 8000' I'll get 25+mpg (statute) saving money and extending range.

YMMV of course...

[Mel]

Personally I prefer carbs. Been flying behind them for over 43 years. they are simple, cheap, run on less than 3 lbs. of fuel pressure, and rarely have problems.

When I built my -6, I looked into FI but decided that it would never be worth the several thousand extra dollars.

[Finley Atherton]

I have an 0-320 (carb) and if I could choose again I would still go carb. Less weight, a bit cheaper, simple, easy to install, maintain and adjust and easy starting.

You may not be able to run LOP on all 4 cylinders with a carb (although some will) but you should get similar fuel economy if you lean it as much as possible (just in from the point of roughness). At this setting the EGTs should be around peak and this will give similar fuel economy to LOP. All the experts and engine manufactures say operating at peak (or any mixture setting) is no problem and will not damage the engine provided you are under about 65% power (Lycoming has the limit at 75% power).

Fin
9A

[Neal@F14]

On a 320, carb.
On a 360 or bigger, FI.
Just my opinions

[elippse]

With FI you won't have the 1.1"-1.5" pressure drop that the carb needs to operate so you'll pick up about 5% more power, so your 160 hp will go up to about 168 hp. I like a carb for its simplicity, but I have no druthers. I think the new electronic FIs, such as Ross sells, are better than the mechanical ones. If you mount the automotive injectors in the induction tubes on the bottom of the engine, you will have no problem with heat soaking as you do with a distributor on top of the engine.