SumoAir
Jeff
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2011
- Messages
- 79
- Reaction score
- 3
I'll be as brief as possible... I'm Part 91, instrument rated, fly 150+ hours per year, maintain currency even if that means shooting approaches on crappy days. I own a '69 Cherokee Six with a 260. With its current configuration and upgrades, I absolutely LOVE it, fabulous IFR stack and backup everything plus three crazy bright landing lights combining for 10,000 lumens for my 20% night flight. You all know the useful load of a Six simply cannot be beat.
So, my engine is "technically" OVER TBO. It runs like silk, 78-80/80 compressions, burns 5-8 quarts per oil change (well within spec) and is clean as a whistle. Suffice it to say I will run it for a while as I analyze my options for overhaul. My question is this: (1) Overhaul existing, (2) find a 300 and perform STC to gain more horsepower, or (3) convert to experimental (which if approved is one-way) and install a diesel conversion and carry and sell the STC myself.
The way I see it, if I could add 30 knots and drop fuel burn at the same time with THIS plane, using a diesel conversion, I would never get rid of it. The 300hp STC might gain me 15 knots, but that is not enough after 6 years at 135 knots, but it might add resale value if it costs me no more than an overhaul. Or, I just overhaul my existing engine, break it in and sell this gorgeous plane for what the market will bear and buy a faster plane and suffer with the cramped cabin space and lower useful load.
Anyone else out there daydreaming about a 300hp diesel conversion and burning 7-8 gph at 55% power setting at 160+TAS at altitude?
So, my engine is "technically" OVER TBO. It runs like silk, 78-80/80 compressions, burns 5-8 quarts per oil change (well within spec) and is clean as a whistle. Suffice it to say I will run it for a while as I analyze my options for overhaul. My question is this: (1) Overhaul existing, (2) find a 300 and perform STC to gain more horsepower, or (3) convert to experimental (which if approved is one-way) and install a diesel conversion and carry and sell the STC myself.
The way I see it, if I could add 30 knots and drop fuel burn at the same time with THIS plane, using a diesel conversion, I would never get rid of it. The 300hp STC might gain me 15 knots, but that is not enough after 6 years at 135 knots, but it might add resale value if it costs me no more than an overhaul. Or, I just overhaul my existing engine, break it in and sell this gorgeous plane for what the market will bear and buy a faster plane and suffer with the cramped cabin space and lower useful load.
Anyone else out there daydreaming about a 300hp diesel conversion and burning 7-8 gph at 55% power setting at 160+TAS at altitude?
