Primarily for general aviation discussion, but other aviation topics are also welcome.
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By irishc180
#1852319
Anyone here operated a Continental IO-550 upgraded aircraft, coming from a stock IO-520? It's a common enough mod for Beech, Cessna and Mooney types.

I have flown one years ago, it was on floats and it didn't seem to be that reliable in service, but it was carrying around Wipline 4000 floats under it. We are only going to be operating on oversize tires.

The other option is upgrading an IO-520-F to an IO-520-F-CF (cross flow) engine using the Vitatoe modification. That is a less common mod but has good results for Alaskan operators. Benefits are increased power, tuned induction, ease of LOP operations, and increased TBO. Cost is so close to an IO-550 upgrade it just doesn't seem to stack up on paper.