High Compression Pistons
I have an ECI engine with Lycon 10:1 pistons.
I anticipated it would run hot, but it actually runs cool!
I would recommend Lycon to anyone who wants more performance out of a Lycoming engine.
I typically don't run my engine full out except on take off and initial climb...but if I want those extra horses to stomp a little, they're there.
Also, be advised that Lycon does NOT endorse LOP operation in their high compression engines, so normally I run no more than 100 degrees ROP. At 8,500 I typically get good speed and good economy at 24 squared, but it can gulp fuel if you lean on it!
The way I look look at this option is....a poor man's turbo without the weight of a turbo. The extra compression raises the ceiling at which you can get what the factory rates as sea level horse power. And if you throttle back at altitude you gain excellent MPH figures.
I would like to caution that merely adding high compression pistons is only part of the "package" to get more power and economy from your Lycoming or Kit engine. Talk to Kenny at Lycon for his options. Also, if you read the recent Kit Planes mag about "o" ringing case halves, I think that is an excellent idea to ensure long term no leaking or seeping of oil.
I elected to purchase a high performance I0-320 and am very very pleased with it. I liked the idea of the lighter weight of the 320 and my plane already had a 320 so the swap out was fairly straightforward.
Lycon has two dynos and my engine was (as all the custom engines Lycon builds are) run for 5 hours on the dyno.
There are a number of parameters the dyno measures, but the one that most are interested in is HP. 205 at 2710 rpm.
The engine now has about 250 hours on it, and runs very smoothly and does not use a lot of oil...about a quart every 25 hours. Kenny did recommend using Lycoming cylinders as he (at the time) felt they gave superior service life to the ECI Titan ones.
Tom Hunter