A large diameter fine pitched prop on a Lyc O-360 or O-320 in a C170 would be great for backcountry and float ops, and said FWF would deliver a very noticeable performance upgrade from the O-300. You don't see all of the Supercub guys trading their borers in for CS props. There are a handful of reasons for this. Fixed pitch props are lighter, less complex, field serviceable, require less maintenance and work perfectly well if your mission prioritizes takeoff and climb performance over cruise performance. While I love how smooth and dependable a Continental O-300 is, O-320s and O-360s are truly outstanding engines in terms of performance and durability. Given the proposed options, I would personally make plans to install a 160 hp O-320 with something like an 8242 FP prop.

At the risk of sound very "hotrodish" (I'm sure that's a real word) its been suggested that gains are had by including a "port & polish" application to the jugs, thoughts anyone !!!!

Mapleflt wrote:At the risk of sound very "hotrodish" (I'm sure that's a real word) its been suggested that gains are had by including a "port & polish" application to the jugs, thoughts anyone !!!!

To the contrary, polishing the intakes of our slow turning low velocity engines can actually hurt power.
Unless you're reving to 8 or 9,000 RPM, you're better off keeping the intake walls rough so the fuel air mixture can tumble across it.

Porting, sure. Match the intakes, get rid of sharp edges, open any known restrictions (all within approved Continental guidelines of course). But polishing, Id say no.

See more good intel from the BCP clan, thanks

I'd say porting and flow matching definitely add power.
Powerflow doesn't have any 6 cylinder exhausts that I know of, but they would probably make one for you if you asked. Acorn would be great to work with on this kind of project, they are very knowledgeable and could cook something up for you that would net you great results I'm betting.
Do you have an engine shop kit there that does porting? Otherwise Pro aero in Kamloops does it. Might save a bit if you bought cylinders from them and had them do the porting right away. Saves you some extra shipping if nothing else. $1500 USD for my IO-520 was the last quote they gave me for porting/flow matching.

One other thing you might consider: The cost of an overhaul on your existing engine. Might be speedy.

MTV

The work plan includes:

Top overhaul, with higher compression pistons and associated bits & pieces (pins, rings etc)
Ported intakes (no polishing allowed)
Electronic ignition (to help with better timing etc)
Acorn exhaust ( and any required carburetor adjustments)

Can anyone suggest other power or engine efficiency enhancements ?

Cheers,

Mapleflt wrote:The work plan includes:

Top overhaul, with higher compression pistons and associated bits & pieces (pins, rings etc)
Ported intakes (no polishing allowed)
Electronic ignition (to help with better timing etc)
Acorn exhaust ( and any required carburetor adjustments)

Can anyone suggest other power or engine efficiency enhancements ?

Cheers,

If takeoff and climb performance are where you seek improvement, a finely pitched large diameter prop will likely deliver more than any of the aforementioned upgrades.

Agreed, one of the first "upgrades" I did last year was a Catto prop, very happy with it they are a great company to deal with

Mapleflt wrote:Agreed, one of the first "upgrades" I did last year was a Catto prop, very happy with it they are a great company to deal with

A Catto prop on a Cessna 170.

That's it, I'm moving to Canada.

Welcome to Canada sir, as mentioned earlier by fellow BCP,

"The beauty of the OM category is that you don't need a conversion, you just do it. Just have to follow some guideline. Staying under 200 hp and remaining fixed pitch are a couple of the big ones."

However there some operational limitations;

flights may only be conducted in Canadian airspace Thankfully Canada has lots to offer and explore by winged vehicle.

Its also a one way trip, no returning to a standard C of A. Some see this as having an impact on overall value and resale. Others may see it as a bonus, its very dependent on how well the airplane was cared for once placed into the OM category both work and record keeping !!

Bagarre wrote:

Mapleflt wrote:Agreed, one of the first "upgrades" I did last year was a Catto prop, very happy with it they are a great company to deal with

A Catto prop on a Cessna 170.
That's it, I'm moving to Canada.

Check the C170 TCDS #A-799.
Under data pertinant to all models:
item #1 propeller ( b) Sensenich 73BR-50 *or any other fixed pitch wood*.

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guida ... Rev_55.pdf

This is the loophole (or whatever you want to call it) that lots of people seem to use as a "basis of approval" to install Catto props on their Cubs etc. A friend of mine hung one on his Luscombe based on a similar item in the Luscombe TCDS.
Your IA and / or his PMI may or may not agree with it.

Ah, I was looking forward to having Bagarre as a neighbor, make him an Honorary Canadian just because !!!!!

hotrod180 wrote:

Bagarre wrote:

Mapleflt wrote:Agreed, one of the first "upgrades" I did last year was a Catto prop, very happy with it they are a great company to deal with

A Catto prop on a Cessna 170.
That's it, I'm moving to Canada.

Check the C170 TCDS #A-799.
Under data pertinant to all models:
item #1 propeller ( b) Sensenich 73BR-50 *or any other fixed pitch wood*.

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guida ... Rev_55.pdf

This is the loophole (or whatever you want to call it) that lots of people seem to use as a "basis of approval" to install Catto props on their Cubs etc. A friend of mine hung one on his Luscombe based on a similar item in the Luscombe TCDS.
Your IA and / or his PMI may or may not agree with it.

Yes but I think the "Any other" fixed pitch wood propeller would still need a PMA or other acceptable way to show it is airworthy.
Not saying Catto aren't great props but I dont think "or any other fixed pitch wood" pardons one from all of the requirements that or any other fixed pitch wood propeller would have to meet before being hung on a 170 or other certificated airplane.

I guess it likely that the various "cub" variants are in fact experimental themselves. I'll hold off sending you the real estate listing for Canada

Mapleflt wrote:I guess it likely that the various "cub" variants are in fact experimental themselves. I'll hold off sending you the real estate listing for Canada

Got any Canadian real estate listings with palm trees and no snow. Being a Mediterranean girl, my wife tells me those are some of the requirements for our next place of living or I might not be living too long.

Sorry !!!!!!