Our glider club is trying to figure out why our 160hp PA-18 has lost its "oomph" over the last few years and one member brought up the idea of re-powering the cub to a 180hp engine.

Questions for the group:

Has anyone done this?
What did it cost you?
Did it help you in high DA situations compared to the lower power?

KSYNpilot wrote:Our glider club is trying to figure out why our 160hp PA-18 has lost its "oomph" over the last few years and one member brought up the idea of re-powering the cub to a 180hp engine.

Questions for the group:

Has anyone done this?
What did it cost you?
Did it help you in high DA situations compared to the lower power?

I can't help you with cost. But, you're going to have to come up with an engine, obviously, a propeller, and depending on the STC, engine mount, cowling mods, propeller, etc, etc.

The 180 will give you more power on takeoff and climb, no doubt. In a glider tow operation, fuel burn isn't that much of an issue, but it'll burn more fuel.

THere is a wide variation in the various models of Lycoming engines, and their weights. I've seen these conversions from 150 to 180 that gained only a few pounds, and others that gained a LOT of weight up front. Which affects the flying qualities of the airplane. But, it really depends on what model of each engine you're dealing with.

But, yes, the 180 will make better takeoff and climb power.

MTV

You might try asking on www.supercub.org . I guarantee there are folks with LOTS of experience with the many variations of 180 hp conversions, including glider tow operations. Heck, many of them have "dual citizenship" here, as mtv can attest. Some very substantial technical expertise there.

Thanks. cubscout

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