I Need Help Engine Swap O-320 to TITAN

[Cold85]

I probably should have just sold my plane and bought something else but I can’t sell it now I like it way too much. I have a Mooney Ovation that I keep but have been buying a selling fun planes that I keep for short time fly 30-40 hrs then sell. Past year I have bought flown and sold a Tiger Champ and Husky and I bought this Rv8 with a O-320 and fixed pitch prop

I have never had a RV and I decided I just wanted to keep it so I painted it

I also bought a new panel have not installed it yet and I put a GA prop and it just was not up to the performance I wanted
So I probably messed up and ordered a new engine the Titan IO-370 because I probably should have just got a O-360 because I fly this 4 days a week so I would like as little as downtime as possible

I also just clicked what I thought I needed so I am sure I will need to change some options


I really need some help ordering the correct parts so my down time is as little as possible I have even thought about just changing to a O-370 from them to save time but I think that may be the wrong way to go about it.
Thanks

 

[drill_and_buck]

That is one serious project and a difficult question to answer. Systems will need to be designed before materials can be ordered.

A few thoughts regarding scope...
Aft of the firewall you will need to:

• Install a high pressure fuel pump
• Redesign and install new fuel lines from the fuel selector forward
• Assuming you are going with a constant speed prop, install a new throttle quadrant with prop control
• Remove fuel transducer (if present)

Forward of the firewall you will need to assess all components in Van's firewall forward kit to determine which items are needed including:

• Prop governor
• Fuel flow transducer
• Oil pressure sensor
• Oil temp sensor
• Voltage and Amperage sensors
• Oil cooler and oil cooler mounting
• Baffle Kit
• Fuel and oil lines
• Exhaust System
• Upper and lower cowl
• New backplate and spinner for constant speed prop
• Engine mounts
• :

I'm sure there are a few things I forgot. Best to get a copy of the plans and builders manual. Assume nothing has been done firewall forward. That will give you a good idea of the scope of work.

Good luck with the upgrade.

 

[scarlson]

I would second the opinion from Mike that this is quite a project. I have a similar IO-370 to the one you listed and would recommend a couple of changes:14 mm spark plug holes (allows auto plugs without need for adaptors) and dual P-mags as your spark system; a B&C alternator instead of Plane Power; engine with the lower compression ratio (8.3, not sure if the listed engine has the higher offered CR, who knows what fuel we will be burning after 2030).

If you like the way your RV 8 presently flies and handles, substituting a Titan I/O-340 might be an option. Same weight and dimensions (I think) as your O-320, but with 180 hp. With that you could use your existing cowls and (maybe) engine mount. A well matched FP prop would give you essentially the same W&B. Good luck

 

[jclark]

If it were me, I would go with a basic O-360 as close to the O-320 configuration as possible (The configuration that required NO changes, if possible).
Then I would **probably** go with the Hartzell Blended Airfoil CS prop and at least on P-Mag. I would stick with a carburetor, at least in the beginning.

Don't get me wrong, there are configurations that will take the RV8 to another level. I have flown my friend's (SnF Reserve Grand Champion) RV8 with an IO390 EXP119, fuel injection, 4 into 2 exhaust, AFP fuel injection and dual P-Mags. And there is a noticeable difference between it an my RV8 (see below), but I am basing my comments on minimizing "downtime" and getting "nice" plane back in the air ASAP.

See my "configurations" below. I have about 2500 hours in the 6 and maybe 500 in the 8, so I am biased toward the 6. But the 8 configuration is a FAR SMOOTHER ride!

=====================
I have a "6" that had an O-320, and I "upgraded" to the O-340 "Stroker" (9:1 CR) after 2000+ hours (later changed it to AFP fuel injection). It has a Whirlwind CS prop (the only one that supports the 340, as I recall). It has dual PMags. The alternator is Plane Power.

I also have an "8" that is stock O-360 (carbureted) with a constant speed prop (Hartzell Blended Airfoil). This plane has one magneto and on P-Mag. The alternator is B&C.
=====================

Now, if money, work required, and downtime were of no consequence, I would go with the configuration my friend (a couple of others that are known here have), the IO390 with all the trimmings.

 

[Cold85]

Well I had already sent the deposit it so I need to stay with this motor but I can make changes to the order in terms of options

 

[johnbright]

FYI Titan tapered cylinder fins baffling:

Baffles for Titan Engine

I have a Titan IOX-370 and I'm working on the Van's baffle kit for a Lycoming IO-360. The stock baffle has two sections that wrap around the side and bottom of a cylinder: a larger radius that wraps the cylinder head and a smaller radius that wraps around the cylinder barrel. The Van's baffle...

vansairforce.net

 

[Ralph Inkster]

Add to the list:
Different length throttle & mixture control cables
Engine brackets & linkages for control cables
Air filter system changes to accommodate fuel injection. Possible air inlet snorkel & filter install
Lower cowl fiberglass changes.
Larger oil cooler
Plus a bunch of little stuff…

This will be a big job- good luck.