C-172R to SP upgrade

More knowledgable people here will correct me, but from what I know, the
only difference between a 172-R and a 172-SP, besides the leather seats,
is the prop on the SP, running at a slightly higher speed.This produces
a significant performance difference between the two.

Is it possible therefore to "upgrade" a 172R to SP performance?
I am not referring to some aftermarket cruise prop, and I am only
interested in approved modifications (Cessna approved or STC'd).

Thanks in advance,

G Faris

Greg Farris wrote:
More knowledgable people here will correct me, but from what I know,
the
only difference between a 172-R and a 172-SP, besides the leather
seats,
is the prop on the SP, running at a slightly higher speed.This
produces
a significant performance difference between the two.

Is it possible therefore to "upgrade" a 172R to SP performance?
I am not referring to some aftermarket cruise prop, and I am only
interested in approved modifications (Cessna approved or STC'd).


The only one I know of is the Air Plains STC (www.airplains.com).
They jumped on this before the SP model came out. The 160 hp derated
IO-360 was a natural candidate for a hp upgrade. All you have to do is
spin it a little faster.

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

"Greg Farris" wrote in message
...
More knowledgable people here will correct me, but from what I know, the
only difference between a 172-R and a 172-SP, besides the leather seats,
is the prop on the SP, running at a slightly higher speed.This produces
a significant performance difference between the two.

Is it possible therefore to "upgrade" a 172R to SP performance?
I am not referring to some aftermarket cruise prop, and I am only
interested in approved modifications (Cessna approved or STC'd).

Thanks in advance,

G Faris


You may want to look into the new powerflow exhausts. I spoke with a guy
who did the exhaust mod along with some service from Lycoming that cleans up
the engine a bit. His claims for his Tiger were fairly unbelievable, but it
was clear he thought it was some of the best money he ever spent.

PS

I have heard from more than one person, including a Cessna rep that R models
actually cruise faster than S models. I dunno whether this is the weight or
the prop.

Just in case you wanted the extra speed rather than the load, climb or
altitude.

"Aaron Coolidge" wrote in message
...
Dude wrote:
: PS

: I have heard from more than one person, including a Cessna rep that R
models
: actually cruise faster than S models. I dunno whether this is the
weight or
: the prop.

: Just in case you wanted the extra speed rather than the load, climb or
: altitude.

I've flown both & studied both POH's. The 172R (160HP) says to use 85%
power for cruise. Amazingly enough, 85% of 160 is the same as 75% of 180!

The SP climbs a bit better in the configuration I flew in which was well
under gross, but you can load it up more than the R as I recall cutting
into
the perfromance delta.
--
Aaron C.


The SP definitely climbs better, but they usually come with more avionics as
well. I have flown both, but I never compared the cruises myself. I do
remember the climb being better in the SP.

In article , says...

I have heard from more than one person, including a Cessna rep that R models
actually cruise faster than S models. I dunno whether this is the weight or
the prop.

Just in case you wanted the extra speed rather than the load, climb or
altitude.


Yeah, that was my idea. I think Cessna gives something like 122KTAS for the
172R - but I have never been able to get it to go that fast in level flight.
110 or a pinch above is more typical, and that sort of cuts into the
usefulness for a plane that is otherwise very well appointed and quite
comfortable.

I thought the 180hp SP would be faster. It would be nice to at least break the
2nm/min mark in cruise.

G Faris