Lycoming 0-320 in a kitfox 7

[ridgerunner]

What are the pro’s and con’s of putting a 160hp 0-320 in a kitfox 7SS? What prop. would work well with the motor?

[jmodguy]

I’m putting an IO-340 in mine. Kitfox installed an O-340 in their silver/green demo bird and flew it for a year.
Pro- gobs of power!
Con- 2-3 hrs endurance if you run it hard.
I’m using the Whirlwind 200 STOL prop.
A 320 will work in a Kitfox 7. Yes it will weigh more, but I think I read that Palmers Freedom Fox is over 900 now with the 915 and constant speed prop.
Build it light as you can and enjoy!

[ridgerunner]

Thanks, I am looking into the whirlwind, and a friend suggested I look at the MT prop also. Thanks for the help.

[Denalifox]

Old thread resurrection. Care to share numbers? Just picked up a 320-B2B for my STi.

[jmodguy]

My typical takeoff is 1500-2000’/min and I have seen 2600’/min. The airplane has more.
When I fly with Mountain Fox here in Indy I’m burning 2.5-3 gph. He is running a 912is and whirlwind 3 blade on a -7.
My prop is pitched at 14 degrees for climb. I cruise about 110-115mph at @5gph. I plan to add a couple degrees to see if I can get a faster cruise and keep some of the takeoff performance.

[Denalifox]

curious to see Ridgerunners numbers as well. Jeff you are running that whirlwind 80" GA prop correct?

[jmodguy]

Yup GA200L STOL

[ridgerunner]

My numbers are not as good as Jeffs, I have to keep my take offs flatter due to airport restrictions due to sky divers. Don't really want a wing ornament. But my 320 will climb at 2500'/min at around 85mph. I'm running a prince p-tip 72-50 carbon fiber fixed prop. At 2300rpm I'm cruising at 110-115 mph and burning about 5.3 GPH I can lean that down to around 4.8-4.9 GPH. At 120 mph I burn about 5.7GPH. All of these numbers are at 7000'. I'm at 960 lb. empty weight. From a stop I can take off in less than a hundred feet, and I will cross the numbers on a 5000' runway at a little over 110 mph. Once I change to a tail wheel these will change. I'm also putting on strut fairings and wing fences.

[Denalifox]

My numbers are not as good as Jeffs, I have to keep my take offs flatter due to airport restrictions.....

Sent you a PM.

[jmodguy]

Ridgerunner,
I’d say your numbers are pretty good for an engine I was told would ruin the airplane 😂. I’m a skosh heavier at 1013 empty

[Denalifox]

Funny thing about a "lycosaur" vs any other engine. If properly balanced, the Plane doesn"t give a single hoot what engine is on the front. HOWEVER at gross it will care how much power you have. I think people tend to get too wrapped around the axle about certain things.

[jiott]

I think that when folks say "it will ruin your airplane" they mean usable load capacity rather than anything performance related. If your flying "light sport" at 1320 gross then an 0-320 will ruin any ability to fly with a passenger/luggage and any reasonable amount of fuel. If you register at 1550 gross things are much better but still not a lot left for baggage/camping gear.

[Billy]

Funny thing about a "lycosaur" vs any other engine. If properly balanced, the Plane doesn"t give a single hoot what engine is on the front. HOWEVER at gross it will care how much power you have. I think people tend to get too wrapped around the axle about certain things.
Good morning my friends,
It is nice to see the 0-320 conversation. I am building a SS7, E3D 160 h.p. 0-320. Skinning the fuselage now, wings and tail done , nothing painted. Doing what I want as far as keeping it as light as possible, but building it as I intended. I have the shock monster, t3 tail ,29's ..... so I should have some empty weight numbers in a couple months after I paint and reassemble. I did weigh it with engine, cowl, gear, tail feathers, seat, modified extra length baggage, without the wings and struts on and was at 580 lbs., add the wings and all the paint and minimal instruments????? Glad to see your posts, Billy

[Denalifox]

Good morning my friends,
It is nice to see the 0-320 conversation. I am building a SS7, E3D 160 h.p. 0-320. Skinning the fuselage now, wings and tail done , nothing painted. Doing what I want as far as keeping it as light as possible, but building it as I intended. I have the shock monster, t3 tail ,29's ..... so I should have some empty weight numbers in a couple months after I paint and reassemble. I did weigh it with engine, cowl, gear, tail feathers, seat, modified extra length baggage, without the wings and struts on and was at 580 lbs., add the wings and all the paint and minimal instruments????? Glad to see your posts, Billy

I have yet to see any mounted. happen to have any under cowl pictures?

[jmodguy]

Heres some pics of my install using factory dynafocal mount. Engine sets pretty close to the firewall so a 90 deg oil filter adapter is handy.

[Denalifox]

Heres some pics of my install using factory dynafocal mount. Engine sets pretty close to the firewall so a 90 deg oil filter adapter is handy.

That sure is tight, doesn't look like my Atlee Dodge hot rod exhaust will work. bummer

[Eric Page]

Bah! Just put four straight pipes through the bottom cowling. Lots of glorious noise and impressive flames at night!

[Denalifox]

Bah! Just put four straight pipes through the bottom cowling. Lots of glorious noise and impressive flames at night!

I like the way you think. haha. "allow me to sing you the song of my people" ;)

[jmodguy]

The 4-1 header makes a bit o’ noise on its own👍 No muffler for me

[Cobb]

My typical takeoff is 1500-2000’/min and I have seen 2600’/min. The airplane has more.
When I fly with Mountain Fox here in Indy I’m burning 2.5-3 gph. He is running a 912is and whirlwind 3 blade on a -7.
My prop is pitched at 14 degrees for climb. I cruise about 110-115mph at @5gph. I plan to add a couple degrees to see if I can get a faster cruise and keep some of the takeoff performance.


I'm really wondering if you typed the correct numbers? Every 320 I've ever run is around 8gph at 65%. You did say when flying with someone else, so possibly you have it throttled waaaay back? Also, do you have mods to it, i.e. FI, PMag, etc? I don't really expect to see 5gph on my 320/KF7 running over 100mph. Great news if achievable...

Cobb