REFLECTOR:IO360 to TSIO520

Scott Derrick reflector@tvbf.org
Mon, 03 May 2004 21:28:47 -0600


Scott, thanks for the great info....

Does the factory have plenums big bore continentals?  OR do people make 
them from scratch?

 > repositioning the main gear axles to the aft (this may not be an option if
>you have an RG) ... 8-hours

I do have an RG.  My axles seem like they are as far back as they could get?

> > new W&B and installation of ballast in the nose area (about 10 pounds)

That's encouraging, I was imagining 75 lbs!

> > 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)

I was hoping I could get away with a 68" prop, mine is 64" now and has 
plenty of extra room.   I was considering not putting any extension on the 
prop?   This would put it right about where it is now with the 8" extension 
I have.  What's the down side to this?

>The bottom line is that the conversion to the 6-cylinder is going to be a
>time consuming and costly adventure.

Yes this is true.   I wouldn't even consider doing this but a mostly loaded 
Std RG with a 200 HP engine , fixed pitch prop can be a scary airplane on 
TO in the mountain west.  Even low down in Arizona in the summer it can use 
whole lot of runway and once your airborne the first few minutes of climb 
are sickening slow. Once she gets up to speed she's a rocket.  Are summer 
average noon density altitude at Grants is around 9000 and tops 10,000 many 
days.

>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??

Hmm... I think I can do the TSIO 520 for less than 15K max...  35K sounds 
like a whole lot more.

thanks again for the great info.

Scott Derrick

"Those who sacrifice freedom to get security, deserve neither."
- Benjamin Franklin