engine order...what to get?

A forum to discuss the installation and maintenance of the O-320, O-360, & O-540 engines and their variants.
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hydroguy2
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engine order...what to get?

Post by hydroguy2 »

Looks like I'll be ordering a engine this week.

I've jumped around pricing different engine combo's, even toyed with building my own ECI kit. But what I really wanted is a IO-360, C/S, 9to1, FF cold sump, AFP, Emag and 1 Slick....with a warranty. Aerosport has them available in 6 weeks, so leaning that direction.

Money has always been a consideration, but I discussed this with a friend last night and...short version, I got a financial backer...

what's the best deal out there?
Brian
Townsend, MT

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bullojm1
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Post by bullojm1 »

Brian-

I think there are only a number of choices to go on a new engine:

1) 3rd Party Experimental Engine Manufacturers - Mattituck, AeroSport Power or Barrett.

2) Lycomings from Van's

3) Used market.

4) Build your own (i.e. ECi Kit).

5) Hire a local builder


Since you want something very specific, you are forced to go with option 1, 4 or 5. I don't think Mattituck sells their engines with EMAGs, so you are pretty much forced to go with AeroSport or the other guys out there (sorry, I am not that knowledgable). Do you know any local engine builders? The one that I was going to use had a great local reputation and a great price. The nice thing about a local builder is if anything goes wrong, you don't have to worry about dealing with the warranty through either shipping it back or a 3rd party.

Those are my two cents. I lucked out by finding the exact engine I wanted, new in box, on the classifieds. Somehow I talked the guy into giving me a $10k discount from new price. I haven't fired it up yet, so I can't tell you who got the better deal?
Mike Bullock
http://www.rvplane.com
RV-7 | Superior IO-360 | Whirlwind 200RV
Garmin GTN650 | GRT Dual Sport SX EFIS
Status: FLYING!

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hydroguy2
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Post by hydroguy2 »

bullojm1 wrote:........I lucked out by finding the exact engine I wanted, new in box, on the classifieds. Somehow I talked the guy into giving me a $10k discount from new price. I haven't fired it up yet, so I can't tell you who got the better deal?
I've been looking for a sweet deal, but the stuff I've found hasn't been much of a saving to take a chance.

1 place with the best price wants $18K up front, but can't give me a delivery date and they are waiting on cases for 4 other engines. So I keep looking, but need to decide this week.
Brian
Townsend, MT

Spike
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Post by Spike »

I went through some of this pain at Osh this year as I was talking to vendors. I hope to order before Osh next year so I wanted to do the talking this year.

For me the only real players left are Aerosport or Mattituck. Either way you can't go wrong. The other option as brought up above is have someone assemble an ECI kit for you. That might come down to your opinion on ECi, etc.

Let us know what you decide.

Hey Mike, who was the local builder?

Spike
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smithhb
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Post by smithhb »

Hey guys & gals,

I went with the ECI kit (purchased through Jesse at AERO) and assembled the engine with the oversight and help of a local A&P in our EAA chapter. I must admit that this was by far the most enjoyable part of my building experience.

http://www.flightinnovations.com/engine.html

It took us about 3 days to assemble, was a blast and I saved about $2000. The best part is when folks ask me if I built the plane I can say "Yeah, and the engine too".

DON'T RULE THIS OPTION OUT!

These Lycoming engines are dirt simple. Follow the Overhaul Manual and you can't go wrong. My ECI IO-360 runs smooth and strong!
Bret Smith
9A Flying (N16BL)
Blue Ridge, GA
http://www.FlightInnovations.com
APRS Tracking: http://www.flightinnovations.com/tracking.html

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Post by Spike »

Hmmm, $2K isn't as much as I would have thought. I guess that we now know what the approx labor charge is for having it built 8)
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bullojm1
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Post by bullojm1 »

Spike wrote: Hey Mike, who was the local builder?
Mike Peters of KTM engines at KFDK. He built Jack Savages RV-8 engine, along with a lot of the other RV'ers at KDMW. When I spoke with him I think he wanted about $2000 above the price of the kit for assembly.
Mike Bullock
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RV-7 | Superior IO-360 | Whirlwind 200RV
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Post by Spike »

Got it. Jack seems to have good things to say about him. Though his whole experience has made me very leery of ECi.

Spike
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Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl

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hydroguy2
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Post by hydroguy2 »

I was initially doing the ECI kit. I've built plenty of chevys and fords, so the building I'm not worried about. The problem is....they have no cases in stock. Slowly, they are trickling in, but there is a waiting list. Sending money with an unknown delivery date is a bit scary.

I figured I could save $2-3000, by shopping parts.
Brian
Townsend, MT

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Post by airguy »

The only thing about building the ECI that gives me pause is that first flight on the airplane is also break-in on the engine. I would prefer to have an engine with a couple hours on the test stand so that there is a bit more comfort level with it on first flight.
Greg Niehues
Midland, TX
RV9A - finishing - 90% done, 90% to go
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Building a 9A with too much fuel and too much engine - should drop dead any minute now. :roll:

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hydroguy2
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Post by hydroguy2 »

oh hold.

No engine order yet. I decided I would not accept financial help from friend. :( tough decision, but he is a good friend and I did not want to have any money issues come between us. he was bummed as he really wants to help.

oh well, I'm still pushing forward
Brian
Townsend, MT

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bullojm1
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Post by bullojm1 »

Brian,


Good call. I have only lent money to a friend once, and it ended up ruining our friendship. I will only hand out housing, food, rides, borrowed cars, etc.. now. Money just makes things different.
Mike Bullock
http://www.rvplane.com
RV-7 | Superior IO-360 | Whirlwind 200RV
Garmin GTN650 | GRT Dual Sport SX EFIS
Status: FLYING!

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captain_john
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Post by captain_john »

Mike, you have handed out booze to me and I have only appreciated it!

Could you please amend your list?

:lol: CJ
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It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

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captain_john
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Post by captain_john »

OH!

...and one of those clippy things for the passenger's stick!!!

Thank you!!!

:) CJ
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Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

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hydroguy2
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Post by hydroguy2 »

bullojm1 wrote:....... Money just makes things different......
yep, Although I was thrilled to have a way to finish up quicker, I knew it was against everything I believe. He almost bought an engine for me while he was at the Reno AirRaces.

I've been putting him off for a few weeks. We had planned to meet today to finalize the terms. I didn't sleep well last night, because I knew I was going to tell him No. When I went over, his wife said "I forgot today was the special day" anyway, I said I am very grateful to have friends like them and the opportunity they are offering, but must decline....the room got very quiet. He was devastated, I think he felt insulted when I told them I couldn't take their money. After I explained my reasons, he simply said "no this would not affect our friendship, if you never paid me back I'm ok with it". that's when I told them, it is already affecting our relationship and they were too good of friends to lose. He got up and walked out of the room.

$30K between friends is just too much pressure for me.

Whew, helps to spill my guts, thanks for the therapy session
Brian
Townsend, MT

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bullojm1
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Post by bullojm1 »

captain_john wrote:Mike, you have handed out booze to me and I have only appreciated it!

Could you please amend your list?

:lol: CJ
CJ - Booze, Food and some form of an escort are the only ways I pay people back! Different than a handout/loan in my book!
Mike Bullock
http://www.rvplane.com
RV-7 | Superior IO-360 | Whirlwind 200RV
Garmin GTN650 | GRT Dual Sport SX EFIS
Status: FLYING!

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Post by Spike »

I understand that hydro. I am looking forward to hearing how it is all going to work out for you.

Spike
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Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl

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hydroguy2
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Post by hydroguy2 »

Spike wrote:.... I am looking forward to hearing how it is all going to work out .....
me, too.

I'm thinking it's back to the pay as I go....see ya in a few years. :(
Brian
Townsend, MT

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Post by Bob Barrett »

In the long run, I am sure you will never regret your decsion! :)

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hydroguy2
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Will this 360 work?

Post by hydroguy2 »

Rebuilt O-360, w/9 to1 piston
Image

Not the brand new ECI IO-375 firebreathing monster I had hoped for, but should be plenty of ponies. A couple of changes need to be made like add 1 Emag, add forward sump w/AFP injection, and get rid of that street walker red paintjob. :mrgreen: my grandaughter said it has to be yellow, of course the other one said purple....hey, I can't control everything.
Brian
Townsend, MT

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