Is the IO-550 significantly smoother than the IO-3

[LuvFlying]

Is the IO-550 significantly smoother than the IO-360?

I'm shopping for my first plane/Mooney and I'm trying to decide on a mid-model J or an early model R. I've read a buncha articles reviewing the Ovation and all rave about the smoothness of the engine compared with the 360 in the J

I took a flight in a J a couple of weeks ago and noticed quite a bit of vibration. I could actually see the panel vibrating a bit. Before reading those articles, I wrote the vibration off as the prop being out of balance. Maybe not?

My only other experience is the 150hp IO-320 in a C-172.

I'm sensitive to noise and vibration. It fatigues me seemingly faster than the average person. So this is an important consideration for me.

Any light shed will be appreciated.

[Piloto]

Yes the Ovation is smoother. This due in part that the IO-550 is 6 cylinder vs 4 and the 3 blade prop vs. 2, also the engine is mounted further foward on the Ovation. I would recommend ear plugs in addition to headphones. These http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/earplugs3.php are very good and you would be able to hear the radio thru the headsets.

José

 

[KSMooniac]

I would also say the Ovation is smoother, but perhaps the J you flew had something amiss.  The prop and engine mounts could need some attention.  My J is pretty darn smooth, and I certainly can't see the panel vibrating!  You might try to get a ride in another example and see if it will meet your criteria. 

If the budget (both initial and operating) supports it, an Ovation is hard to beat, though!  The IO-550 engine is a real jewel, but you'll have to feed it more fuel of course, and have 2 extra jugs and 4 extra plugs to maintain vs. the IO-360.

I consider a quality set of ANR headsets as required equipment too.  It sure helps with the fatigue aspect of long XC flying.

[jlunseth]

I have a 231 and also fly a J for instrument lessons.  The 231 is a six and the prop is further from the pilot than the J.  The 231 seems quieter and smoother to me, than the J, but that is comparing two particular airplanes.  I rode in a different J about a month ago, that had been worked on by Willmar and was being delivered to a buyer.  Very smooth. 

[LuvFlying]

I've got the Bose ANR.  That was a early priority when taking my PP lessons. ;-)

Ok... the 4 vs 6, 3-blade and distance all makes sense.

A loaded J is comfortable on the budget, a slightly less loaded R is a very tight streach.  I really lean towards the J, but I really don't want ANY (shudda gotten the faster, smother R or Missile) buyers remorse.

I'll have ta get in another 201 and see how she flys.

[GeorgePerry]

Quote: LuvFlying

Is the IO-550 significantly smoother than the IO-360?

I'm shopping for my first plane/Mooney and I'm trying to decide on a mid-model J or an early model R.

[LuvFlying]

Thanks for the tip!  I had dismissed the Eagles becasue I didn't think the 44hp would make much of a difference. I'm very suprised to see that, looking at that article, typical speed of 180 is only a few knots slower than the 300hp Ovation.  ..Really Suprised!

[triple8s]

I have a Lyc 360 in my C model and my friend owns a 231 w/6cyl Connie and it is a bit smoother however, the difference isnt very much if everything is in order. I had my 2 blade prop dynamically balanced and it made a HUGE difference, was work every penny of the 275$ i spent. The older mooney with the 4 cyl lyc does everything I need and more, for less money invested and costs less money in maintenance expense per annual than the 231. The speed difference is just not worth the extra costs for my purposes, 145 kts for 8-9 gph = 19 mpg, that oughta make anybody smile.

[RobertoTohme]

Quote: JimR

I know that there are some Eagle owners that post here that would know better than I, but I suspect that 170 knots is more like it for a stock Eagle, but the nice thing about the Eagle is that you can always modify it, basically just with a prop and RPM limits change, via the STC'd "Screaming Eagle" conversion if you want more speed. I personally think that the Eagle is one of the neatest and most under appreciated Mooneys out there.

[KSMooniac]

I'd agree with Roberto...and an Eagle would make a great candidate for a glass upgrade today since they weren't as "loaded" as the Ovations in the same years.  So, less to remove and/or integrate with a new Aspen, Garmin or other PFD/MFD combo.

[GeorgePerry]

I see the "controller" link no longer goes to the M20S that was for sale.  I wonder if it sold?

[Parker_Woodruff]

You can get FIKI on the M20S as well...

[N513ZM]

Yes. Ovation with IO550G is smoother than 201/231/252/262 etc. Once you get the prop dynamically balanced It's like a turbine, dude!  Also - just as FYI - it is 280hp, not 300. An Ovation 3 conversion (available as STC) will produce 310hp - done by using a new prop governor that will turn to 2700rpm.

[231Pilot]

More cylinders should be smoother, but the J is a smooth running airplane if it is set up correctly.  Vibration has never been a problem in my 201.

[bjbruni]

FYI, we have an M20J with a 3 blade prop that has had a lot of vibration.  We have had the prop dynamically balanced several times but it just wouldn't run smooth at anything less than full RPM and WOT or full RPM and under 20 inches or so.  Very fatiguing on long flights and the panel shaking is certainly distracting in IMC.  We finally brushed it off as a 4 banger and 3 blade prop combo problem. In any case, we were recently having a problem with the engine missing on final with the throttle out and an A&P took a look at our dual magneto.  Turns out that timing was off by 5 degrees and points were in real bad shape.  It really made a difference in the way the plane ran and really smoothed out most of the vibration.

 

Bob

[bjbruni]

FYI, we have an M20J with a 3 blade prop that has had a lot of vibration.  We have had the prop dynamically balanced several times but it just wouldn't run smooth at anything less than full RPM and WOT or full RPM and under 20 inches or so.  Very fatiguing on long flights and the panel shaking is certainly distracting in IMC.  We finally brushed it off as a 4 banger and 3 blade prop combo problem. In any case, we were recently having a problem with the engine missing on final with the throttle out and an A&P took a look at our dual magneto.  Turns out that timing was off by 5 degrees and points were in real bad shape.  It really made a difference in the way the plane ran and really smoothed out most of the vibration.

 

Bob

[ovation0219]

I have over 1000 hours on a tsio360 and around 500 on a io550. no comparrison. the 550 is a new design engine and i have done the gami test to see if i could use gami injectors and they said they could not help it was as close as most using gamis.

it is the smoothest engine i have ever flown. and the 360 i had was a victor major and balanced prop. but the 550 was better

[KSMooniac]

Bob, how many hours were on the mag?