REFLECTOR:IO360 to TSIO520

[Scott Baker]

Scott -
The Velocity Service Center has been involved with several conversions from
the engine cooling "arm pit" downdraft to the roof-top downdraft system.  I
understand that you have an updraft cooling system, which you hope to
convert to a roof-top downdraft.  This is what I call a "medium" difficulty
scale project.  It involves some work inside the aircraft - but the lions
share of the work will be in fitting an engine plenum.
We have also been involved in fitting several IO-540 engine installation in
Standard fuselages.  The engine fits - but doing so requires extensive
changes to:
> the engine cowling ... 40-hours
> "everything" associated with installing a new engine from scratch ...
80-hours
> repositioning the main gear axles to the aft (this may not be an option if
you have an RG) ... 8-hours
> new W&B and installation of ballast in the nose area (about 10 pounds)
> new propeller (remember the reduced ground clearance - the prop needs to
be a (relatively) small diameter - say around 65")
> new propeller extension (the factory might have a 3" extension for the
Continental)
Does the fuel system for the Continental require a fuel return line?  If so,
additional plumbing and/or fuel sump hard points and fittings.
The firewall needs nothing new.  The gear legs could probably benefit from
some additional support - although it is not necessary.
The bottom line is that the conversion to the 6-cylinder is going to be a
time consuming and costly adventure.
Q:  Have you looked at Superior's new TNIO-360?  180-hp, fuel injected,
turbo-normalized, costs in the low $30's for a NEW engine (no core
required), automatic wastegate, able to deliver sea level performance up to
20K??  I think I'd consider this b4 going to a 6-cylinder conversion.  Sell
the IO-360 to help pay for the TNIO.  It's possible a group like Mattituck
might take the old IO in trade.  (Velocity is also a dealer for Superior.
If you are interested, please give me a call).
Best regards,
Scott B.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Scott Derrick" <scott@tnstaafl.net>
To: <reflector@tvbf.org>; <Canards@tnstaafl.net>
Sent: Sunday, May 02, 2004 10:15 PM
Subject: REFLECTOR:IO360 to TSIO520


> I'm approaching the decision point on wether to buy a TSIO 520 to replace
> the IO360 in my Velocity.
>
> I measured one and it will fit with a highly modified upper and lower
> cowl.   I was actually amazed to see that they are the same width.
>
> I'm convinced I will need to convert to downdraft  cooling.  Has anybody
> retro-fitted the NACA scoops and ducting to a finished updraft V before.
>
> The engine plus the weight I will have to add to the nose will be
> considerable.  In certificated airplanes, installing a larger engine
> usually changes the airplane's GW to a higher gross weight.  I know
> of  some odd modifications like tip tanks for Bo's that add a considerable
> amount to the airplanes legal gross weight .
>
> Being I would have plenty of power for takeoffs, what is the limiting
> factor of a Std RG's gross weight?  Gear legs?  I have heard of people
> doing a carbon fiber wrap on the main legs to beef them up..
>
> Would I need to beef up the firewall in any way to handle the larger
engine?
>
> I was thinking about using a older model  C210 engine mount.  This was
made
> for a tractor configuration,  would that be ok?
>
> Scott
>
> "Those who sacrifice freedom to get security, deserve neither."
> - Benjamin Franklin
>
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