Q: The airplane owner wants 10% to 20% increase in horsepower without breaking the bank (if that is possible). The engine in the Cessna 182RG is going to be due for a major overhaul in 300 or so hours.
Ronnie Hawkins
A: Ronnie, I think the best advice I can offer in this case is tell the owner to save his money and look around for a higher horsepower aircraft.
I think if you check the FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet for the Cessna 182RG you’ll learn that this aircraft is probably not certified for a higher horsepower engine.
However, I would also suggest that you review any FAA information regarding any STCs that may have been approved for a higher horsepower engine installation in this particular model of aircraft.
If it’s for an increase in cruise speed to me it usually isn’t a good return on investment. I.e. if the objective is 10 knots more cruise speed (140 to 150), that reduces ete by only 9 minutes on a 300nm flight.
Send the cylinders to LyCon in Visalia, CA. They do a flow that nets a 10% HP increase in an IO-520.
Better performance? Flap gap seals, so it climbs and cruises faster. Electronic ignition for ignition advance below 24-25” MAP, less fuel burn and more speed.
Put that airplane on a diet. The ones I have flown weight almost 2200# empty. I try to keep my 185 down. It weighs 1812#. Weight makes a big difference. Removing the vacuum system when installing Garmin G5’s dropped 12#.
Little things make a big difference if you want to keep that particular airplane.
Air Plains has an STC for 260HP in the R182. Not sure what it does to your bank account.