Carb vs injected

A forum to discuss the installation and maintenance of the O-320, O-360, & O-540 engines and their variants.
User avatar
cjensen
Whiskey Victor
Posts: 5275
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:36 pm
Location: Green Bay, WI

Post by cjensen »

Thanks for the lesson in I and O meanings CJ. Wouldn't have figured that one out without you pointing out the obvious. :roll:

My point is, that the injected engine has the ability to use cold air induction. If it didn't have that, it would put out 177hp. The carb'd engine is hot air only. That's the gain in horsepower.

A parallel valve 180hp injected Lyc uses hot air. So does the carb'd 180hp Lyc. 180hp is 180hp, carb or FI. Better distribution of fuel with the I engine is the advantage there. You may burn a half to one gallon an hour less with FI, but you have the same power.

Anything else, wiseguy? :|
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
Vertical Power support
920.216.3699
http://verticalpower.com

User avatar
cjensen
Whiskey Victor
Posts: 5275
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:36 pm
Location: Green Bay, WI

Post by cjensen »

jim_geo wrote:Can anyone give me a before and after on porting and polishing.
I can't personally Jim, but I know a guy who has run cylinders before and after, and the difference is noticable. He says as much as 10hp gain.
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
Vertical Power support
920.216.3699
http://verticalpower.com

User avatar
JohnR
Class B
Posts: 1081
Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:22 pm
Location: Iowa

Post by JohnR »

cjensen wrote: A parallel valve 180hp injected Lyc uses hot air. So does the carb'd 180hp Lyc. 180hp is 180hp, carb or FI. Better distribution of fuel with the I engine is the advantage there. You may burn a half to one gallon an hour less with FI, but you have the same power.
I'll jump in here and add my $.02, like it is worth that. The IO 360-M1B is a parallel valve engine but uses the forward facing sump. It is what I am planning on running. The fuel savings is great but also I just don't like the snout. :roll:
JohnR
RV-7A - Fuselage - SOLD, just not supposed to be
Numbers 6:24 - The LORD bless thee, and keep thee

User avatar
RV7Factory
Beanpolt
Posts: 522
Joined: Fri May 20, 2005 2:28 pm
Location: Livermore, CA

Post by RV7Factory »

Let me confuse the issue further... just because it is horizontal induction, does that also mean it is "cold"? At one point I thought they were one and the same, but I seem to recall someone telling me they weren't.

BTW... I too dislike the snout! No snout for me!
Brad Oliver
RV-7 | Livermore, CA
RV7Factory.com
Image

User avatar
captain_john
Sparky
Posts: 5880
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:17 am
Location: KPYM

Post by captain_john »

:mrgreen:

Chad, you do make me smile! Sorry if I offended you. I just like to joke around (as you know).

How are you going to really dyno test cold air induction in a test cell to verify an 8 hp gain and attibute it to cold air induction?

The Grumman guys have a cold air system for carbs and they don't see much of a gain in that system either.

No doubt, you CAN get 180 hp out of a carb or FI. It is going to be easier to do it with a FI, all things being equal.

Besides, any engines actual output will vary 5% from day to day depending on conditions.

From a practical aspect, an engine is an air pump. When you have more precise fuel metering, you can get a more accurate (ideal) 1:14 fuel/air ratio. When this burn is done consistently and precisely, you WILL move more air and subsequently, make more power.

IF (and this is a big IF) you can get a carb to do this ALL THE TIME (and you CAN'T!) they are equal.

Soooo, a test cell is one thing and actual stick it in the airplane and fly it is TOTALLY another!

Bottom line, start off with as much power as you can, because it WILL deteriorate with environment, setup conditions and accessories.

There is no replacement for displacement, as it is all about moving air! Start big, as there will ALWAYS be losses!

Does this make sense?

:? CJ

BTW, I don't dislike the snorkel. I want an alternate air system in the event of unanticipated icing of the airbox. Kinda like what Pipers do. You know, taking it from inside the cowling. Not that I plan on using it... just like the heated pitot tube.

:)
RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

User avatar
captain_john
Sparky
Posts: 5880
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:17 am
Location: KPYM

Post by captain_john »

RV7Factory wrote:Let me confuse the issue further... just because it is horizontal induction, does that also mean it is "cold"? At one point I thought they were one and the same, but I seem to recall someone telling me they weren't.

BTW... I too dislike the snout! No snout for me!
Brad, yah...

The 390 has the forward facing dillio too. It DOESN'T require the snout.

The FAB attaches to it and is fed from the left cowl inlet.

:) CJ
RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

User avatar
cjensen
Whiskey Victor
Posts: 5275
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:36 pm
Location: Green Bay, WI

Post by cjensen »

captain_john wrote::mrgreen:

Chad, you do make me smile! Sorry if I offended you. I just like to joke around (as you know).

How are you going to really dyno test cold air induction in a test cell to verify an 8 hp gain and attibute it to cold air induction?

The Grumman guys have a cold air system for carbs and they don't see much of a gain in that system either.

No doubt, you CAN get 180 hp out of a carb or FI. It is going to be easier to do it with a FI, all things being equal.

Besides, any engines actual output will vary 5% from day to day depending on conditions.

From a practical aspect, an engine is an air pump. When you have more precise fuel metering, you can get a more accurate (ideal) 1:14 fuel/air ratio. When this burn is done consistently and precisely, you WILL move more air and subsequently, make more power.

IF (and this is a big IF) you can get a carb to do this ALL THE TIME (and you CAN'T!) they are equal.

Soooo, a test cell is one thing and actual stick it in the airplane and fly it is TOTALLY another!

Bottom line, start off with as much power as you can, because it WILL deteriorate with environment, setup conditions and accessories.

There is no replacement for displacement, as it is all about moving air! Start big, as there will ALWAYS be losses!

Does this make sense?

:? CJ

BTW, I don't dislike the snorkel. I want an alternate air system in the event of unanticipated icing of the airbox. Kinda like what Pipers do. You know, taking it from inside the cowling. Not that I plan on using it... just like the heated pitot tube.

:)
CJ, no offense taken bro! I just like to do the same! Sorry, I was being a little wise a$$ie earlier...

I can't say I completely agree with you, based on FI alone. I can't dyno anything. I can just pass on the info given by a vendor, and pass on experience with the 180hp parallel valve engine with FI and it's carb'd brother.

There is no option from ECi for cold air induction for the carb engine. I've asked them, and they don't have it. I'm just saying that all things being equal (which, like you said, will never happen), the two engines with hot air induction, SHOULD produce the same power on the same air/fuel ratio's. The cold air is a small shot for a small gain in power. The 8hp comes straight from ECi's claims, not from me.

For the record, I'm in the minority that likes the snorkel... :mrgreen:

8)
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
Vertical Power support
920.216.3699
http://verticalpower.com

User avatar
cjensen
Whiskey Victor
Posts: 5275
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:36 pm
Location: Green Bay, WI

Post by cjensen »

RV7Factory wrote:Let me confuse the issue further... just because it is horizontal induction, does that also mean it is "cold"? At one point I thought they were one and the same, but I seem to recall someone telling me they weren't.

BTW... I too dislike the snout! No snout for me!
No snout for you! Come back, one year! :lmao:
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
Vertical Power support
920.216.3699
http://verticalpower.com

User avatar
cjensen
Whiskey Victor
Posts: 5275
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:36 pm
Location: Green Bay, WI

Post by cjensen »

gsimatos wrote:T,
Mines a '52. I put a photo in Gallery just search cessna and i think it should come up.
G
Here ya go Gary!

Image
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
Vertical Power support
920.216.3699
http://verticalpower.com

User avatar
captain_john
Sparky
Posts: 5880
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:17 am
Location: KPYM

Post by captain_john »

jim_geo wrote:Can anyone give me a before and after on porting and polishing.
Jim, no problem! I can!

Before: normal
After: a tad more

How is that?

What porting and polishing does is smooths out the transitions from one passage to the next. It also smooths out the passageway to reduce any flow disturbances along the way.

The end result is usually small but most agree, worthwhile in any "performance" engine.

It lets the engine "breathe" better.

Chad, no worries.

:) CJ
RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

User avatar
Wicked Stick
Class B
Posts: 1000
Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2005 10:00 pm
Location: KEWB

Post by Wicked Stick »

cjensen wrote:
A parallel valve 180hp injected Lyc uses hot air. So does the carb'd 180hp Lyc. 180hp is 180hp, carb or FI.
Except if you put a cold air sump on the parallel valve engine, with a forward facing fuel injection. Then it is the same intake configuration as the 200 hp angle valve engine but without the angled valves and extra weight of the counterbalanced crank. :mrgreen:

I think I ended up with around 190 hp in the test cell at Mattituck by going cold air sump, 9 to 1 pistons, electronic ignition, and the Red/Gold package.
I'm thinking once it's hooked up to the airplane with the 4 into 1 exhaust and a possible ram air setup, I might see close to 200 hp without all the weight penalty.
Dave "WS" Rogers
RV-8 (125 hrs & counting)
N173DR

User avatar
JohnR
Class B
Posts: 1081
Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:22 pm
Location: Iowa

Post by JohnR »

Yes sir, Dave! That is exactly what I am planning on at this time. I'd be real happy with 185 - 190. :)

I like the 390 for raw HP but don't like the 33 pound penalty.
JohnR
RV-7A - Fuselage - SOLD, just not supposed to be
Numbers 6:24 - The LORD bless thee, and keep thee

User avatar
RV7Factory
Beanpolt
Posts: 522
Joined: Fri May 20, 2005 2:28 pm
Location: Livermore, CA

Post by RV7Factory »

Wicked Stick wrote: Except if you put a cold air sump on the parallel valve engine, with a forward facing fuel injection. Then it is the same intake configuration as the 200 hp angle valve engine but without the angled valves and extra weight of the counterbalanced crank. :mrgreen:

I think I ended up with around 190 hp in the test cell at Mattituck by going cold air sump, 9 to 1 pistons, electronic ignition, and the Red/Gold package.
I'm thinking once it's hooked up to the airplane with the 4 into 1 exhaust and a possible ram air setup, I might see close to 200 hp without all the weight penalty.
This is exactly what I have been talking/thinking about!
Brad Oliver
RV-7 | Livermore, CA
RV7Factory.com
Image

Spike
Chief Rivet Banger
Posts: 4013
Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:40 pm
Location: Baltimore, MD
Contact:

Post by Spike »

captain_john wrote:...

From a practical aspect, an engine is an air pump. When you have more precise fuel metering, you can get a more accurate (ideal) 1:14 fuel/air ratio. When this burn is done consistently and precisely, you WILL move more air and subsequently, make more power.

IF (and this is a big IF) you can get a carb to do this ALL THE TIME (and you CAN'T!) they are equal.
And the proposition here is that with FI you can get more precise metering than you can with a carb? I would agree with automotible technology, but not aircraft technology. GAMI has made a whole business out of the fact that most aircraft injectors (in reality just a nozzle that wees fuel out of its end) are not acuratley flowing matched volumes. Managing 4 uncontrolled nozzles would be much harder than managing a single carb jet me thinks.

Im still not convinced, though, that might be hard to do anyway. To me the only real benefit of the injection is the avoidance of carb ice and the associated liabilities. Well, that and the option to spend a bit more money and time on the fuel system :mrgreen:

And Im with Chad, the snorkel is fine to look at.
http://www.rivetbangers.com - Now integrating web and mail!
Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl

1:1_Scale
Class D
Posts: 279
Joined: Mon Dec 11, 2006 11:23 am
Location: Central Oregon

Post by 1:1_Scale »

Spike wrote:And the proposition here is that with FI you can get more precise metering than you can with a carb? I would agree with automotible technology, but not aircraft technology. GAMI has made a whole business out of the fact that most aircraft injectors (in reality just a nozzle that wees fuel out of its end) are not acuratley flowing matched volumes. Managing 4 uncontrolled nozzles would be much harder than managing a single carb jet me thinks.
I would think that 4 injectors that aren't flowing matched volumes could easily be equivilent to a single carb jet as far as distribution goes, since with the carb, you then have to rely on the in intake manifold to distribute the fuel evenly to all cylinders. During this time the fuel may loose some of it's suspension in the air, causing it to burn less efficiently.

Admittedly, I don't know too much about airplane engines specifically, just engines in general. What kind of fuel pressure do the injection systems on these engines run?
Kelly
RV-7 Empennage done, wings done, fuselage to QB stage
1947 Stinson108-1 flying

User avatar
cjensen
Whiskey Victor
Posts: 5275
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:36 pm
Location: Green Bay, WI

Post by cjensen »

Depends on the fuel injection system, but most FI engines will average somewhere around 30-35psi. Carbs need no more than about 2-3psi, or if a boost pump is in place, 6psi at the most.
Last edited by cjensen on Wed Dec 20, 2006 12:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
Vertical Power support
920.216.3699
http://verticalpower.com

User avatar
Wicked Stick
Class B
Posts: 1000
Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2005 10:00 pm
Location: KEWB

Post by Wicked Stick »

One of the other reasons I went FI is so I can hang upside down every so often for the sheer fun of it. Image
Dave "WS" Rogers
RV-8 (125 hrs & counting)
N173DR

User avatar
svanarts
Air Marshall
Posts: 1512
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2004 5:19 pm
Location: Modesto, CA
Contact:

Post by svanarts »

I like carburetors.
Scott VanArtsdalen
Token Heretic
Nirvana Rodeo / Dudek Universal
S-6ES N612SV - GONE but not forgotten
RV-4 N311SV - SOLD

User avatar
cjensen
Whiskey Victor
Posts: 5275
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:36 pm
Location: Green Bay, WI

Post by cjensen »

Wicked Stick wrote:Image
Clever!!

:good job:
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
Vertical Power support
920.216.3699
http://verticalpower.com

User avatar
captain_john
Sparky
Posts: 5880
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:17 am
Location: KPYM

Post by captain_john »

WS, I dare say that your surplus ponies are mostly coming from the 9:1 pistons!

:) CJ
RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

Post Reply