<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
         <<  Lancair Builders' Mail List  >>
         <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

  I have enjoyed the discussions about the L vs C vs Auto conversion
that have taken place on the list in the last few days and a few times
in the past.
  One thing I find surprising in the debate over the standard GA engines
and the auto conversions is that no one has mentioned that the auto
engines are producing roughly twice the HP per cubic inch as that of the high output GA engines. For example:
IO550  310 hp  .56 hp per ci - normally aspirated
TSIO550  350 hp  .63 hp per ci- turbocharged LS1 corvette engine  345  hp   .99 hp per ci - normally aspirated
89 thunderbird 232 cid  supercharged aprox 280 hp  1.2 hp per ci the last example is my car and has been slightly souped up.
My whole point here is that the autos are built to withstand much
higher stress levels and if they were derated to produce the HP
Per Cubic Inch that GA engines do, They would absolutely have
no problem reaching a 2000 or more TBO at 75% power.
My car engine for example can produce  55 in of MP and has
gone 140,000 mi so far and shows no sign of dying.
This is the norm for the auto engines also, and yes modern cars
can easily go 100,000 mi between tune-ups and I know this
because I'm a tool dealer and I go to car shops every day and
I have done surveys.
IMHO most Lycoming and Continental engines are very poor
examples of engine technology and they should be ashamed
of charging the ridiculous prices they do.

Mark Lally  ES

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.