I have an o-320 E2A with about 1950 hours total and 540 since it was majored with NuChrome cylinders and 7:1 pistons. Oil use is very low, not scary low, but pretty minimal...about a quart every 30 hours depending on how hard I run it XC. Based on the timeframe it was majored, I don?t think it was chromed due to problems, it because at that time it was the ?thing? to do.
So I could...:
1.) pull my cylinders, send to engine shop to inspect and hone, and install 8.5:1 pistons and the upgraded wrist pins (if not equipped) and reassemble. I?d get 160hp and cylinders and lower end with about 540hrs on them. This assumes nothing is wrong and the engine shop can put a surface on the Nuchrome walls. (Likely well Under $2k)
2.) pull and replace with Superior Millennium complete cylinders and pistons and have new cylinders and a lower with about 540hrs. (Around $4300?)
3.) pull and replace with Lycoming factory nitrided cylinders (a little more, maybe closer to $4800)
What would the folks who know better do?
I?m looking to eek every last bit of takeoff performance out of my airplane, and constant speed is not an option. A little more power can?t hurt, right?
So I could...:
1.) pull my cylinders, send to engine shop to inspect and hone, and install 8.5:1 pistons and the upgraded wrist pins (if not equipped) and reassemble. I?d get 160hp and cylinders and lower end with about 540hrs on them. This assumes nothing is wrong and the engine shop can put a surface on the Nuchrome walls. (Likely well Under $2k)
2.) pull and replace with Superior Millennium complete cylinders and pistons and have new cylinders and a lower with about 540hrs. (Around $4300?)
3.) pull and replace with Lycoming factory nitrided cylinders (a little more, maybe closer to $4800)
What would the folks who know better do?
I?m looking to eek every last bit of takeoff performance out of my airplane, and constant speed is not an option. A little more power can?t hurt, right?