O-320 in a CHAMP

WWhunter · Post by **WWhunter** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 15:49

I'm just curious......has anyone ever legally installed a Lycoming )-320 in an early Champ? Not Citabria...a Champ. The reason I was wondering is because I have a 7AC/Conv with an O-235 and when I was looking at various weights of engines last night I noticed that an O-320 is only, on average, about 10 pounds heavier.

I "heard"

of a guy putting an O-290 in a Champ with a Warp-drive prop on it. I guess it was a hell of a performer. Especially on skis, but this was many years ago.

Just food for thought since the baord seems a little slow lately.

Keith

BobK · Post by **BobK** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 03:31

Keith,

I know of at least one, and possibly 2 here in Anchorage. I don't know the particulars of them though... I spoke to one of the owners very briefly last fall, but didn't get the scoop on his hotrod Champ.

I was wondering the same thing as you though... Especially when you start to compare the cost of a rebuild/overhaul for an 0-235 vs 0-320.....

Hasta ~

Bob K.
Anchorage, AK

Post by **joea** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 05:34

Bob,

Any chance you might remember the "N" number on that Champ? If we could get the registration number then Keith could both contact them AND get the FAA records CD from the feds and check into the 337 or STC data.

Joe

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 09:14

Interesting idea.....

Lets see... you could take a 7AC and convert it to a 7EC (C-90-8/12) with Service Letter #56. Then you could convert the 7EC to a 7GC (O-290) with Service Letter #60.

From there it would be a little more difficult. You could go from a 7GC to a 7GCAA (O-320 160hp) but that would require a 337 and a field approval. But since the 7GCAA was the natural progression of the 7GC, it may not be that hard to accept.

One thing going for you is the entire GC series (GC, GCA, GCAA, GCAB, GCBC), was the evolution of the EC series.

If you could find a 337 prior to 1956; that is considered "Approved Data" and can be used in lue of an STC or Service Letter.

nkh

Captgrumps · Post by **Captgrumps** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:42

I had a 7GCA years ago--wish I still had it. 150hp O-320. It was a zoomer. Got one daughter a private license in it and had one son solo it. Then sold it when I bought a Cessna 180. You didn't see many of them--in fact I think only two are registered. It was sort of a transition airplane between Aeronca and the Champion to be.

Doug

BobK · Post by **BobK** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 15:53

The next time Im out there I'll see if I can get the N Number. I know about where it was parked this summer.

Hasta ~

Bob K.
Anchorage, AK

BobK · Post by **BobK** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 22:06

Whew... Sorry it took so long, but it seems the days when I have time to fly, the weather is bad. When I dont have time, its clear as a bell...

My buddy signed up for a tie-down on the apron where the 0-320 Champ sits, so I found it by looking up the N numbers of the other planes on that apron.

Tail number is N 8988R

7-EC with an 0-320 on its Airworthiness Certificate

What does that mean for the rest of us ? What steps would be needed to go from say, an 0-235 to an 0-320 ?

Hasta ~

Bob K.
Anchorage, AK

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 08:18

Order a records CD from the FAA and look for the 337. Use that as approved data when you petition for your engine swap.

nkh

Post by **joea** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 10:09

Or call the owner and see if you could meet for coffee (or a beer) and talk Aeronca's and get more info directly from him!

Joe

N-number : N8988R
Aircraft Serial Number : 7EC-732
Aircraft Manufacturer : CHAMPION
Model : 7EC
Engine Manufacturer : LYCOMING
Model : 0-320 SERIES
Aircraft Year : 1960
Owner Name : YOUNG ANDREW J
Owner Address : 10921 NAXOCHINA CIR
EAGLE RIVER, AK, 99577
Type of Owner : Individual
Registration Date : 30-Aug-2006

CptKelly · Post by **CptKelly** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 19:37

My question is why would one want to do this? Even with the non-LSA Champs, one's useful load would be so compromised that it would be truely only a single place plane, sure it go like a bomb, but at what cost?
If you want that level of takeoff/climb performance, build a Smith Kit with a 180, or simply buy a 180hp Supercub. I can tell you from personal experience, it ain't worth the difference in cost, and I should know since I have both. A C-85/0200 Champ really performs well, and is much more comfortable than a standard width Cub. Just my 2c worth, and I'm not trying to start a flame war.

Mike

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 21:30

Andrew's a nice guy. I met him and got to fly that Champ while up in Alaska. I think he's ex-airforce.

All those pony's sure were nice to get us off the gravel quick.

nkh

WWhunter · Post by **WWhunter** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 21:55

Mike,

I see you posted a question about a "new" fusealage....well, that was my original intention when I asked the question about putting an O-320 in a Champ. I was thinking of maybe one day building an "experimental" Champ with an O-320. Like I said earlier, the 320 doesn't weigh much more than an O-235, but has more horsepower.

I would love to build/have a SuperCub but the price of one is WAY out of my reach. I've sat in Supercubs and I really like the extra room a Champ has. The widebody SC may be different. I'll be by to check out yours someday.

Keith

SteveR · Post by **SteveR** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 21:14

Here are some pictures of a Lycoming powered Champ I flew a few years ago. I believe it was a 150hp O-320:

http://www.wotelectronics.com/flying/20 ... /dsc1.html

I don't know anything about the paperwork, and the N-number isn't visible in the pictures.

TomFord · Post by **TomFord** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 17:06

Where can i get copies of all the old service letters?

Tom

David Johnson · Post by **David Johnson** » Sun Oct 12, 2014 09:27

Tom, what do you need? We got most of them on pdf. If you need them quick, try aeroncamuseum.org. Email me direct david(at symbol)rrbodyshop.com. David J./Jasper Ga

National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

O-320 in a CHAMP

O-320 in a CHAMP

0-320 in a Champ?

Re: O-320 in a CHAMP

Re: O-320 in a CHAMP