Originally published: May 18, 2020
Updated: August 12, 2020
Since the introduction of the Lycoming IO-390A engine, some of our customers have expressed their desire to install this engine on a RV-7/7A or RV-8/8A airframe. Van’s Aircraft has recently completed an in-depth review of horsepower limitations for the RV-7/7A and RV-8/8A and is now approving the use of Lycoming’s 210HP IO-390A (YIO-390-A3B6) and IO-390-EXP119 engines on these models.
Update regarding addition of the IO-390-EXP119 engine model: Beginning July 22, 2020 Van’s has also approved and will sell the 215HP IO-390-EXP119 engine to customers for the RV-7 and RV-8. The “Technology Recommendations to Manage Risk,” “Installation and Required Builder Changes/Modifications,” “Support for this Configuration is Limited,” and other caveats described below in the context of the 390A engine also apply to use of the IO-390-EXP119 engine.
Airspeed Limits and Safety
Keep the following in mind as you make your engine selection: With the 10 HP increase above the angle valve IO-360, there were concerns of the increased possibility of exceeding the Vne limitation of 200 KTAS. Our extensive experience with the IO-390A on the RV-14A has demonstrated the engine’s true performance. The extra horsepower will result in a top speed increase. However, it will not be a significant enough change to raise a concern, providing the pilot continues to abide by the existing 168 KTS Vc (max-cruising) speed and 200 KIAS/KTAS Vne (never-exceed) speed limitations.
Technology Recommendations to Manage Risk
Should this higher-powered engine be installed, Van’s Aircraft strongly recommends that the aircraft be equipped with or upgraded to an EFIS system with an audible voice warning of Vne. Overspeed events may occur in maneuvering flight (such as aerobatics) when the pilot’s attention is turned away from the airspeed indicator. A voice annunciation, coupled with standard screen-displayed warnings, will help warn the pilot of impending danger. A screen message on its own and/or audible tone warning is not as effective. If your aircraft is equipped with an EFIS that does not have a voice warning for Vne, contact the manufacturer and request this feature to be added in the future. Note that most popular EFIS systems now allow Vne to be set up for KIAS and KTAS simultaneously, and for the RV-7/7A and RV-8/8A both values should be set to 200 KTS on systems with that capability.
Installation and Required Builder Changes/Modifications
Use of the IO-390A on a RV-7/7A or RV-8/8A will require modifications to the standard IO-360 angle-valve firewall-forward kit sold by Van’s. The plans supplied with your aircraft or kit will not reflect these modifications. This will result in incompatibility with certain standard firewall forward kit items that will require builder resolution. For example, the IO-390A engine cools the pistons by spraying oil on the piston skirts. This results in significantly higher oil temperatures than one will see with an angle valve IO-360. A larger oil cooler such as the cooler used on the RV-14 will need to be installed to compensate. The standard oil cooler included in the angle valve IO-360 firewall forward kit can be removed from that kit by request. The larger cooler will need to be mounted to the firewall approximately as shown in the RV-14 plans. Consequently, the installation of other firewall-forward items such as solenoids, battery box and hose routings will need to be modified by the builder without specific plans or documentation covering the modifications. The opening in the rear baffle behind cylinder #4 that results from the deletion of the standard oil cooler will need to be blocked.
There are other modifications and alterations you should anticipate that will be required to the existing firewall-forward kits. Van’s has not done a complete evaluation to compile a list of modifications, nor will we soon.
Support for this Configuration is Limited
Van’s Aircraft has not installed an IO-390A engine on a RV-7/7A or RV-8/8A at the factory. Therefore, our builder technical support department may not be able to assist you in resolving issues related to your installation of this engine on the RV-7/7A and RV-8/8A. We are aware that this engine has been successfully installed by builders a number of times, and therefore we are confident the modifications required are not beyond the capabilities of the builder, and members of the Van’s Aircraft community will be able to share information about their experiences. Should you install an IO-390A engine, we are of course open to hearing your feedback so we may better serve other customers who choose this engine, as well.
