Fixed PItch 200 HP IO 360?

[garrys]

I am brand new to this forum and will be purchasing an RV 7A partially completed kit from another builder. In thinking about what engine I want to hang on the front, my thoughts are leaning toward a 200 HP IO 360, but have no need (at least I don't think so) for a CS prop. From I can determine from my research, you can't get a 200 HP IO 360 with a fixed pitch prop. Does this sound right?

Garry Stout
Odessa Fl

[cjensen]

to Rivetbangers!

You can do whatever you want, basically. If it has a hollow crank, you can plug it, or find one with a solid crank...have ECi or Superior or Mattituck build one for you. They can do whatever you would like.

[captain_john]

Yup, what he said.

I too have bandied this one about and from what I can tell, it is all about the pilot. What do you want? The rumor mill generates stories of FP's running right alongside CS's with marginal differences. The obvious ones being slightly better cruise and/or climb and possibly better economy. As you know, all these variables depend on your choice of prop.

I plan on CS because the extra weight on the nose is beneficial for the -7's CG, it is really fun cycling it in the runup area, the regular flight benefits and most of all... because I want one!

The latter should be your discerning factor because as you know, it isn't any cheaper!

CJ

[jim_geo]

Well the IO-360 fixed pitch combo is exactly what I'm doing. I am however going the route of the parallel valve rather than the 200 HP angle valve. The problem you will find is this, the Sensenich Prop 72FM8S9-1 (85) is not recommended for the 200 HP angle valve. It is made for the 180 HP O-360. I was concerned about being able to use this prop with an IO-360 parallel but was told by Vans that it would work fine.



I went ahead and ordered the prop and the finish kit. The prop came last week and I'll be picking the finish kit up next Tuesday.

[cjensen]

Another option to consider when looking at FP props is Craig Catto props. He can custom make a prop for your needs that will work with a 200hp angle valve 360.

Here's the link http://www.cattoprops.com/

And a quote from his site regarding prices-

The propeller cost about $950 for 60 inch diameter two bladed for a O-200 up to $1200 for a 68" O-320.

Three bladed props run $1450 for a 56" diameter O-200 Eze, $1650 for a 60" diameter O-320 Ez, $1650 for a 66" diameter O-320 RV, $1850 for a O-360 RV. Three bladed props for the 540 engines will run from $1850 up to $2350.

Craig quoted me a two blade for the angle valve for $1250 when I was considering a lyc/clone.

The metal Sensenich prop is a GREAT propellor, but like Jim said, they are not necessarily recommended for the angle valve engine.

You are building an experimental airplane, and there are TONS of options for engines and props. Find what you want, and go for it!!

[Spike]

Welcome Gary. Glad to have you around!!

-- Spike

[Dan A]

In my opinion, you really don't need the 200hp angle valve engine on the 7 or 8 series. If you buy the IO360 parallel valve engine from Bart at Aero Sport Power, He'll port and fuel flow it anad it will produce about 195 hp. And it is aobut 30 lbs lighter. I have that engine in my 8 and it really performs. A couple of weeks ago I flew from SFF to AWO (Washington State) about 230 miles direct and about 1.3 hrs in the air flight time. After taking my son for a flight and having fun there,by the time i arrived back at SFF, I put a total of 3.7 hrs on the plane and burned 27.3 gal. That figures out at 7.4 gph! Not too bad! As for the prop, I have a CS Whirlwind prop and like it. You can put what ever prop you want on your plane but you will get more pereformance i.e. shorter takeoff, with a CS. I tried a takeoff Saturday with full flaps Yes an RV will take off with full flaps, My take off run was about 150 ft. (no wind) and even before the ASI began to indicate it wanted to fly. I lifted off at 40 kt. indicated then dumped the flaps slowly and by the time the flaps were up I had gained about 300 ft altitude. These are really a fantastic aircraft!!
Dan

[jim_geo]

I agree with Dan. Even without going to the trouble of porting, an injected engine with an electronic ignition can be expected to produce into the 190’s HP at sea level. By the way an O-360 is 18 pounds heavier than an O-320 but the parallel valve O-360 is nearly forty pounds heavier than an O-320. Not that, that will make much difference to many.

[garrys]

Wow, is this a great forum or what!!!!!!!! As a newcommer I'm totally impressed with the helpful responses to my posting about a 200 HP IO 360 with a fixed pitch prop.

Y'all have almost got me convinced to go with the "180" parallel valve engine, which you say can produce up to 195 HP with fuel injection, electronic ignition and misc. tweaks. Now here's my next question.......

Based on a few demo rides in an RV 7, it gets off the runway quickly and climbs like a scalded cat. Since I usually fly off of 3000 foot plus hard surface runways, I don't think I need the short field capability of a CS prop. What I DO want to do, is go FAST in cross country cruise. Given my mission profile, wouldn't I be better off with a fixed "cruise" prop?

Assuming I got the Aero Sport 195 HP engine, with a cruise fixed pitch prop, what kind of speed could I expect?

Thanks for all your help guys! I'm departing on Wednesday to purchase a partially completed RV 7A kit from a guy in Texas, and truck it back to Tampa where I'll finish the build, hang an engine, build a panel, upholster it, paint it, etc. Whew, I'm exhausted just thinking about it, but excited beyond belief too!

Garry Stout

[cjensen]

You'll honestly get at least as good, if not better, cruise performance with the FP prop as you would with a CS. The CS is more versatile, and will climb better, but as RV's go, you'll climb like homesick angel regardless of what kind of prop you use. The FP cruise prop is a great match for high cruise numbers, and for someone that doesn't neet to get off the ground and clear the proverbial 50' tree with a 1000 feet of runway, the FP is unbeatable, IMHO. That's what I plan to use.

[captain_john]

I agree with Chad. From what I am told, you can run right alongside those CS guys.

You may want to go to Dan's www.rvproject.com site and run some W&B scenarios with his data. When I get closer to an engine purchase I will choose the heavier engine for W&B purposes. Some of the -7's end up with a heavy tail otherwise.

CJ