I am in the early stages of an overhaul on my 0-540 J1A5D. It is time---2700 hrs TT, no metal and Iron content on 25 hr oil chg has been normal all along.

I am looking for suggestions, ideas, etc.--cylinders, mods and anything to get the most performance, lightest weight with reliability and longevity.

Thanks

Flow match and balance for Certified now if you oare EXP then there are a few more ideas

i overhauled my -J1A5D this year also.
i went with new ECI cylinders that were flow ported by lycon.
good news- my engine has never ran smoother. it has more power, and i can lean it to lean-of-peak in cruise better than most fuel injected engines (mine is carb'ed). the difference is amazing.
bad news- ECI just came out with another AD concerning another bad run of their cylinders that must be removed from service. luckily mine don't apply by serial number, but what if they did? is there a warranty? who pays to have the new ones flow matched like the old ones? if i had it to do over- i would spend a little extra for superior or lycoming cylinders, and then have them ported by lycon.

the other mod i did was the "centri-lube" camshaft mod from firewall forward. it should add a line of defense against the lycoming's achillies heel (premature cam wear)

also a sky-tek starter helps pull 5-8 lbs off the nose.

all good ideas...having one myself in my 182...i'd suggest sending it to

western skyways in colorado and turbo-normalizing it...this works real

well in the back-country, and when managed right, doesn't really burn

much more fuel than an old 470R. but when u get in a tight spot, like

soldier bar or etc. it gets my 182 out and gone in less than 500'...

just an idea...their company is reputable and reliable. good luck...!

jomac wrote: turbo-normalizing it...this works real

well in the back-country,

There are a lot of tricks, even for a certified engine to get more power. If you figure out the actual power increase per dollar you would be shocked. Nothing will make power like always having your engine breath sea level pressure, if you can afford it it's they way to go.

I overhauled my I/O 540 W1A5D a couple of years ago, went with new millenium cylinders, Gami injectors, etc. If I had to do it again, I would go with Lycoming cylinders and left the injectors alone etc. You can spend a lot of money and not get much for it on an engine. The bone stock engine has lasted 2700 hours, can you beat that with anything aftermarket? It wasn't available for me, but if I could go with the new Lycoming roller cam, I would if I were you.
Price a Factory overhaul, It's been my experience that they aren't that far off, a little more, but certainly in the ballpark.

UP_M5 wrote:
the other mod i did was the "centri-lube" camshaft mod from firewall forward. it should add a line of defense against the lycoming's achillies heel (premature cam wear)

I did the "centri lube" from firewall forward about a year ago and so far so good. It makes sense and for the few extra dollars it can save you a lot down the road.
http://www.firewallforward.com/

ECI cylinders are junk!!! buy lycomings. as up-m5 said I just wanted to emphisise it. we had some on a 550 cont. and within 14 hours 2 of them cracked and one had about 6 square inches of crome come off and end up in the oil pump.they never warnteed shit! not cool on a brand new engine, avoid them like the plague!

Thanks to all for your help. I decided to go with lycoming cylinders with Lycon flow match/porting. Still on the fence about the cam.....?