wrote:
Hi folks - I just purchased a 1964 172e with a newly overhauled
Continental O-300-D engine and was hoping to get some suggestions for
improving performance on it. Is this feasible with this engine? I
knew
buying it that climb performance was quite a bit different than the
150HP Lycoming, but I wonder if there are modifications/enhancements
that people have tried that would provide any worthwhile gains in HP
(like maybe change exhaust perhaps)?

Any thoughts on this subject would be greatly appreciated.


Generally, the best thing you can do to enhance performance on an
O-300 is to overhaul it. Of course you've already done that, so the
answer would be "no", there are no HP enhancing mods available for that
engine. The Powerflow exhaust upgrade is only for Lycoming equipped
172s.

I learned on the 150hp Lyc. powered 172s, then bought a 145 hp
Continental powered 172. I didn't find the climb performance lacking
in the O-300 powered version. Although there are 5 less hp, the older
planes usually had a lower empty weight that compensated for that. My
guess would be that your 172 has a prop that is pitched to optimize
cruise. These can often be re-pitched for better climb performance by
a knowledgable prop shop.

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)