V8 172

[denverpilot]

Someone should pour some in with their Marvel Mystery Oil...

 

[Spring Ford]

What's distinctly different between non-aerobatic Continental and Lycoming engine oil systems and an automotive engine? They both use a gerotor pump, are pressure fed, use gravity to facilitate drainback, and have an oil sump mounted on the bottom of the engine.

I'll google that for you -

https://corsairpower.com/questions-answers/
Section - "What’s the big difference between the Corsair V8 and a car V8 engine?"

"A lot. The engine block is a marine version of the General Motors L series engine with 2 decades of proven reliability in everything from production muscle cars, HD trucks, boats and industrial applications, modified internally & externally for its aircraft mission. A few differences include internal changes to the internal lubrication system to prevent oil pump cavitation during maneuvering and uncoordinated flight; elimination of several potential single point of failure components; alternator capable of providing power even at prop wind-milling speeds; complete redundancy of fuel and spark delivery systems, to name just a few."

 

[fasteddie]

Bump.

EAA's Sport Aviation magazine had an article in their "Innovation" section this month that covered the Corsair V8 C-172 conversion. Link to the article, but I think you may need to be a subscriber to see it.

Was just a couple of pages, and unfortunately didn't seem to offer anything I hadn't already read in this thread and elsewhere. It seems like their biggest challenge right now is finding an investor to help the pursue funding.

Anyone else know any more? Believe they fly out of Colorado Springs Municipal (KCOS). Anyone see them out there at all?

 

[A Martin]

Might be easier to just go ahead and certify this.

It's the T-Tail model with canard.

Below, demonstrating what a short field takeoff looks like.

edit: It even has a chute!

Good one ... haaa .... but TBO is 6 seconds ... a lot of those fuelers are rebuilt after every run.

Some years ago I read an excellent explanation how they can get thousands of horsepower out of a factory auto engine initially built to produce 400 hp.

In simplistic terms it goes like this .... several gallons of raw alcohol fuel are consumed in the 1/4 mile race .... which also has a cooling effect , thus no radiator or cooling system is required.

The alcohol contains plenty of energy but burns slower than gasoline ... which is good for preventing detonation ..... and the slow burn means it produces full power right to the bottom of the power stroke which is a huge advantage compared to explosive gasoline which mainly burns at the top of the power stroke

For that reason they have to use very small diameter exhaust valves so that the camshaft and lifters can overcome the tremendous pressures of the still-burning fuel.

And that is why all the flames can be seen coming from exhaust stacks .... and the earsplitting sounds are like 8 shotguns firing continually ... it is the alcohol that is still burning

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[A Martin]

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I have always taken a great interest in auto engines vs certified aircraft engines .
Bottom line is everyone is looking for something less expensive ... especially for the home-built experimental guys.

Junkyard Subaru engines did fairly well in many gyrocopters and homebuilts ... they are a boxer configuration and the original factory intended them for aircraft but after the war became automotive.

Several drawbacks .... most auto engines require a cooling system and radiators and a reduction gearboxes to the prop because auto engines produce their power at high rpm's

Along came ROTAX with its line of certified engines ... air cooled cylinders and water cooled heads which works well , but again require a gear reduction transmission to the prop ..... and no longer low cost ... about $30k for 115 hp. Right back where we started.

Bottom line is this ..... in the 1940's the Lycoming boys were not antiquated fools .... they knew that to direct drive a propeller under 3000 rpm required lots of cubic inches and that is what they did , along with a hefty crankshaft to handle the loads. Just that simple.

And your Lycoming is a HEMI ... most folks do not realize the excellent Chrysler Hemi-Head engine was developed by the aircraft industry

So dont hesitate to put one of these decals on your cowl.

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