Engine HP Upgrade

RV7A, Engine installed present,, is LYc 320, 160 HP, what are my challenges to remove and install 180-200 HP & CS prop??
do I need to start with new engine mount? & are there any cowling modes required.,
David

Id suggest starting with a call to Vans. If you need a new engine mount for IO-360, I have one (that has already been drilled to a firewall.....which could complicate things, idk). You can have it dirt cheap, but I'm not interested in going through all the work to ship. I bought the newer engine mount with elastomeric nose gear mount and no longer need the original mount.

Ellis
Fayetteville NC

Or...?

topacedave said:

RV7A, Engine installed present,, is LYc 320, 160 HP, what are my challenges to remove and install 180-200 HP & CS prop??
do I need to start with new engine mount? & are there any cowling modes required.,
David

Click to expand...

If that 160 is a hollow crank, able to be converted to CS prop... maybe check out what LyCon can do for you. I think they can develop 180 HP from an o-320 with just port & polish work. http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data/760/Porting_Air_Power_0409.pdf

If this is an option, it's certainly simpler than a complete o-320 to o-360 swap.

If you are going to the expense of swapping to a 180 + CS you might as well get the new mount/nose gear while you are doing all that work.

Just my $.02, but better design and would help the resale should you ever sell

Ok gents, It isn't as easy as an oil change, many factors involved, & $$
Will start with a call to Vans, Thanks,

Parts - that I know of - for o-360 swap

From what I know (which isn't comprehensive) - going from o-320 FP to o-360 CS
Engine mount should be unchanged, so long as both engines are Dynofocal mount
I'm assuming carb to carb. If going to/from FI that adds more stuff.

Baffling is different
Airbox is different
Spinner and backplate will need to be swapped (due to prop change)
prop bolts I think are larger diameter
Add your prop control vernier
Add MP gauge if you don't have one
Exhaust System? I see Vetterman sells different models for o-320 vs. o-360.
Cowl? I'm not sure about that. Vans would know.

I've read on this forum that the O-320 uses a longer engine mount for CG purposes due to the lighter engine.

blaplante said:

If that 160 is a hollow crank, able to be converted to CS prop... maybe check out what LyCon can do for you. I think they can develop 180 HP from an o-320 with just port & polish work. http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data/760/Porting_Air_Power_0409.pdf

If this is an option, it's certainly simpler than a complete o-320 to o-360 swap.

Click to expand...

This idea gets my vote, for the most part the 320 runs smoother and keeps it a wee bit lighter !

DanH has a webinar here that talks about the impact of more HP:

https://eaa.org/Videos/Webinars#?playlistVideoId=6226975310001 (Seems that link takes you into the neighborhood, but not to the right house)

He explains that the additional excess HP is good for climb performance, and a tiny bit of top speed. So if your goal is better climb, more HP will be helpful. If it's anything else, it could be a lot of work and money for not much gain.