In article ,
Tim Long wrote:

Planning ahead, we've thought of a few options:

1 - 160 hp conversion (this is almost the minimum we'd do)
2 - Powerflow exhaust (article in Plane and Pilot claims 20% power
improvement - can it be combined with #1?)
3 - 180 hp conversion

Anybody know about praciticalities, costs of #3 above? I know it would
require extra $$ for dissimilar engine exchange, STC costs, and
cowling/engine mount mods.

#1 and/or #2 are not that expensive but wouldn't make the 140 into
a 160. That is, it is likely that a comparable 160 would sell for more
than a 140 converted to 160hp.


I know that some may say sell the plane and buy a 180, but we have a plane
whose condition we know, it has a pretty fresh paint job, it has all ADs
complied with, and we just spent ~$7K for a panel mount GPS. We have better
avionics than most and would hate to do the new buy thing and then spend a
lot extra getting the plane's condition up to that of our current one.


(note: I own a cheroke 140)

One significant consideration is useful load. Do you just want the speed
increase? There isn't any way to get a higher useful load.

The Cherokee Pilot's Association had an article on a 180 conversion a long
time ago. The bottomline was that the 180hp conversion was not worth it.

btw - if you convert to 160hp, also re-pitch the prop so that you can gain
higher cruise speed (the 160hp 140 will fly just about warrior numbers if
you use warrior power settings).

good luck.

--
Bob Noel
looking for a sig the lawyers will like