310 Capabilities

[GaryP1007]

Picking up my new Ovation (310 hp) in a couple weeks. I am really curious about its climb capabilities/performance above 10k feet. What are others seeing for real world performance?

[Hank]

@carusoam will be along shortly to extol the virtues of the 310hp conversion!

[gdwinc]

I literally just walked in the door from a quick day trip to Bryce Canyon in my 310hp Ovation. Density altitude was 9,400’ I was carrying four people and just a few pounds under max gross and was off in 3000ish feet and climbing at better than 500’ a minute. 
 

Do you have the POH yet? Message me if you want a copy. Mine includes the 310hp stc pages so you can see for yourself what the book says  

These are amazing machines!

[Alan Maurer]

I have a question.....My M20R is a 2008 model and Ovation 2. Is any Mooney dealer still doing the change to 310 HP?

And what is the likely price to do  this?

Thanks

Alan, N913ND

[ilovecornfields]

12 minutes ago, Alan Maurer said:

I have a question.....My M20R is a 2008 model and Ovation 2. Is any Mooney dealer still doing the change to 310 HP?

And what is the likely price to do  this?

Thanks

Alan, N913ND

Any MSC can do it.* $5000 for the STC paperwork plus changing the spring on your prop governor and adjusting the fuel flow. Only some propellers are compatible with the STC so if you don’t have one of the approved ones it’s going to be a lot more expensive.

* - Any MSC can do it, but some do it better than others. The one I took mine to messed up the fuel flow (way too low) and didn’t adjust the prop correctly so it only made 2650 RPM. Had to take it to another MSC to have it done correctly. 

[Jeff_S]

On 5/22/2022 at 11:38 AM, GaryP1007 said:

Picking up my new Ovation (310 hp) in a couple weeks. I am really curious about its climb capabilities/performance above 10k feet. What are others seeing for real world performance?

I've posted this a time or two, but it shows climb and cruise performance for my 310hp Ovation at various altitudes. Note that climb was at 2600RPM and WOT, so not quite the full climb performance you would see at 2700RPM.  Hope it helps!

Altitude Climb and Cruise Performance.pdf

[carusoam]

The only thing left to add….

I typically only go to 12.5k’

So climbing from 10k’… not very noticeable….  
 

The 310hp and 2700rpm…. Is not quite the same as a TC…. But it does get you to the flight levels….

Check your max FF setting…. Some people prefer 29 or 30gph for CHT control….

 

+1 for the data Jeff posted above….

Best regards,

-a-

[StevenL757]

On 5/22/2022 at 11:38 AM, GaryP1007 said:

Picking up my new Ovation (310 hp) in a couple weeks. I am really curious about its climb capabilities/performance above 10k feet. What are others seeing for real world performance?

How much time do you have?  :-)

Seriously - and briefly - the upgrade shaved between 500 and 1000 feet off my takeoff run at sea level.  Climbs with full fuel are normally around 130-135KIAS, and 1000-1200FPM.  Beyond 8000 feet MSL, you need to lower the deck angle slightly to cool the cylinders properly.  #5 will likely get hotter than the other five in the climb, but will settle down quickly upon leveling and transitioning into cruise.  Above 12k, the climb rate starts to fall off a bit, but is still far-better than a 280HP Ovation.  Above 15k, it falls off more.  I've had the airplane to 20k several times - and at varying weights - and have experienced 200-300fpm climbs from about 17k to 20k.  With the 280HP flavor, I had barely 100-150fpm climb from 17k-20k.

On 5/22/2022 at 11:50 PM, ilovecornfields said:

Any MSC can do it.* $5000 for the STC paperwork plus changing the spring on your prop governor and adjusting the fuel flow. Only some propellers are compatible with the STC so if you don’t have one of the approved ones it’s going to be a lot more expensive.

* - Any MSC can do it, but some do it better than others. The one I took mine to messed up the fuel flow (way too low) and didn’t adjust the prop correctly so it only made 2650 RPM. Had to take it to another MSC to have it done correctly. 

Yeah - agree.  For @Alan Maurer - it would be well-worth your time to call Brian Kendrick, make an appointment when you're ready, fly West along the gulf, and have him do the upgrade for you.  You'll thank me afterwards.  If you need more details - PM me and we can chat on the phone.  Happy to do it.  Edit:  I realize you may have choices much closer, but again, ping me offline if you want and we can talk specifics if you want.

Edited May 26, 2022 by StevenL757

[GaryP1007]

1 hour ago, StevenL757 said:

How much time do you have?  :-)

Seriously - and briefly - the upgrade shaved between 500 and 1000 feet off my takeoff run at sea level.  Climbs with full fuel are normally around 130-135KIAS, and 1000-1200FPM.  Beyond 8000 feet MSL, you need to lower the deck angle slightly to cool the cylinders properly.  #5 will likely get hotter than the other five in the climb, but will settle down quickly upon leveling and transitioning into cruise.  Above 12k, the climb rate starts to fall off a bit, but is still far-better than a 280HP Ovation.  Above 15k, it falls off more.  I've had the airplane to 20k several times - and at varying weights - and have experienced 200-300fpm climbs from about 17k to 20k.  With the 280HP flavor, I had barely 100-150fpm climb from 17k-20k.

Yeah - agree.  For @Alan Maurer - it would be well-worth your time to call Brian Kendrick, make an appointment when you're ready, fly West along the gulf, and have him do the upgrade for you.  You'll thank me afterwards.  If you need more details - PM me and we can chat on the phone.  Happy to do it.  Edit:  I realize you may have choices much closer, but again, ping me offline if you want and we can talk specifics if you want.

Thanks for the responses.  I am doing my transition training two weeks from today and am so excited to learn this new to me machine!  I am sure I will posting many more questions.