DAYTONA BEACH, Florida — Power Flow is celebrating the anniversary of shipping tuned exhaust systems around the world for 15 years. The first shipment followed two years of development, flight testing and pursuit of the first STC. Since then the company has shipped more than 4,500 tuned exhaust systems for 15 different aircraft types and 73 models.
The systems have a dramatic impact on performance, according to company officials.
Using a test cell at Ly-Con in California, Power Flow measured the horsepower of a Lycoming 0-320 A1A, rated at 160 hp, and equipped with an original Cessna exhaust for a baseline, they got a peak horsepower of 133.3. When they removed the OEM exhaust and replaced it with a Power Flow Tuned Exhaust System, the horsepower peaked at 157.1, a 23.8 hp difference. That extra horsepower translates into more torque, a shorter takeoff roll, better climb and faster cruise at normal settings, company officials said, noting the engine also runs cooler.
The key behind the tuned exhaust is the length of the pipes coming off the exhaust manifold and the “collector” that allows for a more complete evacuation of exhaust gases from the cylinders, officials explained. That, in turn, allows for a greater amount of gas/air mixture to enter the cylinder before firing, increasing efficiency and boosting power.
For more information: PowerFlowSystems.com
Glenn Darr says
I had the Powerflow system installed on my 1969K 172 with a O-320-E2D engine in 2009. It is pretty much as advertised. I get a faster ground roll and better climb out. I do think to get additional speed the propeller needs to be re-pitched. I am satisfied with the Powerflow system.