Fifteen Percenter...
I am thinking of pulling the 320 out of our -6A and putting in the 360 that is listed in the classifieds section. Should it be a drop-in replacement? I understand CG issues, but the engines should be the same size from engine mount to prop flange, right? Has anybody done this that would be interested in sharing their experiences?
Hi Jess,
You and I have had this discussion per the recent conversion of my RVX from and 0-320A to an 0-360J2A.
My goal all along was a 15% gain in HP with ZERO weight gain. As you know, I actually
reduced the RVX overall weight by 5lbs. The end result was a 15% gain across the board in performance and a cost overrun of around, you guessed it, 15%!
Difficulty?
1. Baffles: as you know since you built mine, the 0-320 baffles won't work without some cutting as the 360 is wider. New 0-360 baffle kit from Van's is needed.
2. Mount, a Dyna to a Dyna or Connie to Connie should match up perfectly depending on model.
3. Prop will need to be replaced as well as extension and crush plate, difference is lugs, hole size and pitch.
4. New Airworthiness Certificate. You know the drill,
all too well.
![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
5. New W&B (if it changed). Logbook entry.
6. Cowl scoop: Van's FAB won't work with MA4-5 as it is much bigger than the MA4-SPA. Fuel Injection/FAB/Ellison TBI will. Or custom build your own air-box (as I did). Or cut the cowl and glass on a bigger scoop.
Otherwise it's a win win. However comma, my conversion of my RV4's 0-320 to 10.4:1 compression+balance/blueprint to 178HP was much easier and required none of the above except a new prop, drilling my Carb jet and a bigger cockpit to hold my bigger grin!
![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
The Hot Rod 0-320 runs equally well and as fast as the 0-360J in the X. The cost factor will be the consideration.
Hot Rodding your 0-320 might be a more cost effective option. I sold my old engine FWF and overall my cost was....fifteen percent above estimate!
Call me anytime...
V/R
Smokey
PS:
Until you bolt a GE F110 (F16C) in an RV, the performance gain will be slight, but noticeable.