Jambo everyone, im just about to get a 550 to replace my 520 on the 185 and wondering which one to go for B,D?? dont really get it, then there is the spec ie IO550D13B what does all that mean?
Getting a new engine....does anyone have and advice or things i should add, or could add.

Cheers any help much appreciated

The model of engine you install is most likely going to be dictated by the approval basis, ie: the particular STC.

You can go to the Continental website for information on nomenclature. Different letter/number designators can indicate everything from type of engine mount to induction, to magnetos, to......

The two big differences are the upper and lower induction on the 550s, but again, the STC is going to specify what model engine you're going to install. How many STCs are there for the 185?

MTV

Of the 3 STC's I've looked into they are all for the IO 550D. But like MTV I would be interesting in knowing how many STC's there are for this conversion - choice is good

fwank wrote:Jambo everyone, im just about to get a 550 to replace my 520 on the 185 and wondering which one to go for B,D?? dont really get it, then there is the spec ie IO550D13B what does all that mean?
Getting a new engine....does anyone have and advice or things i should add, or could add.

Cheers any help much appreciated

Jambo, Habari gani?

I'll be interested to hear how this goes for you as well - our 185 is down right now, waiting for a new IO520D to arrive from TCM. For our mission, we really didn't need to upgrade to the 550.

Wait, when did "need" start filtering into these mod discussions?!

I have a IO-550D that is a Bonaire STC. I believe the "D" has tapered cylinder fins which is less weight and seems to be most common on Cessnas. It also has a manual leaning injection pump vs the auto-leaning which everyone says is the way to go. The Auto-lean seems to have problems and the manual leaning is bullet proof. The later top induction is rated for I believe 330hp in factory trim. I love mine and theres no comparison to a IO-520 regardless of what some people try to throw up for arguements. It's just two birds of a differant feather performance wise. Call Donna at Davis Engineering.. She knows everything about the conversion and has been around this deal for many years. Nice southern lady and friendly.

The automatic leaning fuel pump was the dumbest thing Continental ever did. That one feature got that great engine so many naysayers early on.......

We eliminated the auto lean on all our 550s and that ended most of the problems with the engines.....still had some issues convincing pilots that they were no longer flying a 520, but they are pilots after all.

I agree....best big engine Continental ever built.

MTV