|
|
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
<< Lancair Builders' Mail List >>
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I wonder how it is that the automobile and truck makers can change their
engine designs regularly and still produce engines that perform well past
2000 hours with serious mistreatment and sometimes zero maintenance while
Continental and Lycoming have been producing effectively the same engine
for
over 50 years and they still cant get it right.
Compare a $45,000.00 Continental IO550 to a $45,000.00 Cadillac with a
northstar engine. This engine has a cost problem. IT NEEDS TO BE TUNED UP
AFTER 100,000 MILES.
Seems to me that 100,000 miles at an average of 50 mph is 2000 hours.
On the surface, this seems like a reasonable question/comparison, but one
needs to consider the different operating regime - 65% to 100% of power used
most of the time during those 2000 hours for aircraft engines, and the
operating environment - major altitude changes with very significant impact
on engine temperatures. Also you have to convert the high revolution power
of the auto engine to max torque at a much slower rotation for the prop -
enter the PSRU discussion.
I sure as hell don't want to be confused with admirers of air cooled piston
aircraft engines made by Continental and Lycoming - I think these guys have
their heads in the dark ages or somewhere similar that has no light. That's
why I'm using the Engineair V8 instead, but there is surely a huge
difference and there are significant hurdles to overcome when you talk about
using that auto engine in a high performance aircraft.
Regards,
John Barrett - LIVP
CARBINGE- "The World Hinges on Us"
360 385 1000
LML website: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
Builders' Bookstore: http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair
Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
|
|