Fuel burn
160hp O-320 with Pacesetter 68x69 wood climb prop. Way under pitched but that's what it came with when I bought it two years ago and I just love it. Climbs like mad. The cruising sweet spot with this low pitch prop seems to be about 2150rpm at lower altitudes, which I'm indicating only 140mph but burning only 5 gph consistently and its pretty quiet. I think you could add 8-10 inches to the pitch to use the available power more effectively if you wanted best speed, but I love the vertical performance for fun flights and the economy cruise is very acceptable for my solo cross country missions when I'd rather be relaxed in the plane than on the ground anyway. If I HAD to change the prop, I'd proably up the pitch 4-5 inches as a compromise, up the rpm's, accept the higher fuel burn rate, and enjoy a higher cruise speed. But I am not in a hurry, so I am not in a hurry.......&=)
Not sure what pitch/power and airspeeds others are getting.
