Firewall Forward

After much consternation, I decided to order an engine from LyCon, in Visalia, CA. I did this partially because they have a good reputation among the racers at Reno, who certainly test their engines thoroughly, and also my hangar neighbor Frank knew the owner, and said he was a good engine builder and an honest businessman. The owner, Ken Tunnel, told me that the best way to go was to build up a parallel valve engine, rather than start with the angle valve IO-360. He does the same thing for people like Sean Tucker, with a 540 rather than a 360. The parallel valve engine weighs 40 lbs less, which is important to me. Ken guaranteed me 220 HP on the dyno, using port and polish techniques, 10:1 pistons, ceramic coatings, and converting the O-360 to Bendix fuel injection. The engine actually produced 223 HP on the dyno. In the end, a new O-360, converted to a 220 HP IO-360, with LASAR mags, B&C 60 amp alternator, B&C voltage regulator, B&C starter, and exhaust system. cost less than a new IO-360 from Van's, and still weighs 40 lbs. less. The engine still carries the factory new engine warranty.

Normally, the fuel injection servo would just hang from the bottom of the sump like a carb, but I am using these adaptors so that I can use the Sam James holy cowl.

Here is a view from the other side. The white brackets are for the throttle and mixture cables.

Here is the exhaust system, a four-into-one setup from Sky Dynamics. It makes a very compact installation, and easily fits under the Sam James cowl.

Side views. Note the Conada style tailpipe.