LS-3 approved by FAA for Cesna 172

[Ash]

Well...local junkyards are gonna be a bit more baren. Cars, Boats, and now Aircraft. Pretty wild.

"What happens when you put a Corvette engine in the Cessna 172? First, you use 1/2 the fuel, and SECOND, you’re not using avgas that is half again the cost of mogas, and you don’t pay road tax, a better than 67% savings. Nor do you add oil each flight or so.

Quiet Aviation (QA, previously Orlando Helicopter Airways) has received the FAA approval by way of an Issue Paper to install the GM LS3 430hp all aluminum V8 in the Cessna Models 172I thru 172M. This Issue Paper establishes the Basis or method in which this retrofit is to be made that when completed will become a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) which can then be installed in the 172’s and Skyhawks. QA will begin immediately in defining the details, documenting, implementing, and testing this first ever chance to greatly modernize these airplanes and boost their performance with an advanced and proven automotive engine."

[Rod]

a cheaper more efficient Cessna! wait till we start putting prochargers on thoses

[1989GTA]

Interesting. Is the radiator enclosed in the sheetmetal under the oil pan? Just wondering how that part works. Also the motor is rated at 430hp at what 5500rpm? So the gear reduction is like what 2:1? Thanks for the interesting post.

[moreHP]

thats really interesting and neat to see.

[CarlC]

I wonder why there are two different versions with the engine reversed.

[MuscleRodz]

I wonder why there are two different versions with the engine reversed.

The only difference is the intake orientation. Cant see if they actually have the cold air intake complete in first pic. Has to go in backwards so they can drive the planetary off the flywheel.

[MrQuick]

nice, i like the fuel line routing..... not sure but I have have contracted a tubing fetish.

[MuscleRodz]

Well...local junkyards are gonna be a bit more baren. Cars, Boats, and now Aircraft. Pretty wild.

"What happens when you put a Corvette engine in the Cessna 172? First, you use 1/2 the fuel, and SECOND, you’re not using avgas that is half again the cost of mogas, and you don’t pay road tax, a better than 67% savings. Nor do you add oil each flight or so.

Quiet Aviation (QA, previously Orlando Helicopter Airways) has received the FAA approval by way of an Issue Paper to install the GM LS3 430hp all aluminum V8 in the Cessna Models 172I thru 172M. This Issue Paper establishes the Basis or method in which this retrofit is to be made that when completed will become a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) which can then be installed in the 172’s and Skyhawks. QA will begin immediately in defining the details, documenting, implementing, and testing this first ever chance to greatly modernize these airplanes and boost their performance with an advanced and proven automotive engine."

Never heard the term "issue paper". I think the terminology meant here is the FAA has granted approval to relicense the Cessna in experimental R&D category to allow testing and development of the engine package. Trust me when I say this is a LONG LONG way from getting an STC. It can take years and STUPID money to get this approved. I know of an engine swap my uncle did using ALL FACTORY Cessna parts going from 145hp to 210hp and took 10 years and a DER to get approved.

fuel burn is misleading considering rpm is going to be higher than normal range for cars in order to take advantage of the horsepower. If you flip over to the details on the powerplant on their web page, it does use a 2:1 gearbox, and they have derated paower to 180 hp so as not to exceeed Cessna structural limits. The one big no no I see is the use of ethanol gas. Any use of ethanol gas is forbidden in airplanes as it lowers the vapor point of the gas and could easily vaporlock with the right under cowl temps and air density. Also ethanol corrodes aluminum and guess what Cessna fuel tanks, valves, a lines are made from?

[protour_chevelle]

Never heard the term "issue paper". I think the terminology meant here is the FAA has granted approval to relicense the Cessna in experimental R&D category to allow testing and development of the engine package. Trust me when I say this is a LONG LONG way from getting an STC. It can take years and STUPID money to get this approved. I know of an engine swap my uncle did using ALL FACTORY Cessna parts going from 145hp to 210hp and took 10 years and a DER to get approved.

fuel burn is misleading considering rpm is going to be higher than normal range for cars in order to take advantage of the horsepower. If you flip over to the details on the powerplant on their web page, it does use a 2:1 gearbox, and they have derated paower to 180 hp so as not to exceeed Cessna structural limits. The one big no no I see is the use of ethanol gas. Any use of ethanol gas is forbidden in airplanes as it lowers the vapor point of the gas and could easily vaporlock with the right under cowl temps and air density. Also ethanol corrodes aluminum and guess what Cessna fuel tanks, valves, a lines are made from?

All I took from that is that I should buy one and slap a big ol dirty snail on it and have some fun!

[Muscle Express Ryan]

That's cool. I think turbos were created originally for planes. Because the air is less dense but I'm guessing the computer will correct those issues now. But I don't really have a clue, sounds good though.

[broken1234]

What he said... These comments are spot on...

Never heard the term "issue paper". I think the terminology meant here is the FAA has granted approval to relicense the Cessna in experimental R&D category to allow testing and development of the engine package. Trust me when I say this is a LONG LONG way from getting an STC. It can take years and STUPID money to get this approved. I know of an engine swap my uncle did using ALL FACTORY Cessna parts going from 145hp to 210hp and took 10 years and a DER to get approved.

fuel burn is misleading considering rpm is going to be higher than normal range for cars in order to take advantage of the horsepower. If you flip over to the details on the powerplant on their web page, it does use a 2:1 gearbox, and they have derated paower to 180 hp so as not to exceeed Cessna structural limits. The one big no no I see is the use of ethanol gas. Any use of ethanol gas is forbidden in airplanes as it lowers the vapor point of the gas and could easily vaporlock with the right under cowl temps and air density. Also ethanol corrodes aluminum and guess what Cessna fuel tanks, valves, a lines are made from?

[novaderrik]

i suppose the FAA would frown on a set of long tube headers and a 3" X pipe...

towards the end of that page, it says that the conversions will be done starting sometime in 2011.. wonder what became of it?

[SPDMETL]

What would happen if you gave it the whole 430 HP ?

[1989GTA]

What would happen if you gave it the whole 430 HP ?

I think the problem is propeller speed. If one had a gear reduction unit to the propeller then that would be possible. That would also mean you could use a different propeller that would take a bigger bite out of the air. Then there are things to consider such as engine rpm and fuel consumption.

[Che70velle]

Not to be picky or anything, but that is not an ls3. The rectanguler port l92 head castings that ls3's employ do not have the "freeze plugs" on the end of the heads. I'd say this is more than likely that this is an ls1. I'm actually trying to convince myself that these pictures haven't been photocropped, and this is actually fake. Hmmmmm.