montesmustangII
Member
Chevy has introduced the new 4.3 ecotec LV3 V6 in 2014. This has aluminum block and heads from the factory!! until this engine the only way to get a Chevy aluminum block was to find an old discontinued bowtie racing block and pay $4000 for it. I just checked with a couple salvage yards and a low mileage ecotec can be had for $2500 with free shipping. Even better is the fact that these engines come with a forged steel crank , roller lifters etc..
Ballistic Drives (and others) makes a 1000 hp rated reduction gear box that will bolt up to this engine and it only costs $2100. Airboat gear boxes are designed for much more abuse than aviation typically can dish out.
I am building a Mustang II and so far this engine is my leading candidate for a power plant. There are a couple of concerns however. The Ecotec has direct fuel injection with a built in high pressure fuel pump. I assume this setup would not be ideal for aviation use because of the high pressure fuel. I am thinking of converting it to a 500 cfm Holley carb with the Mcneilly leaning block, similar to the Belted Air Power setup. This may involve buying new heads and intake manifold , but even with that added in, it your still talking under $10000 for the FWF package.
What do you guys think?
Monte
Ballistic Drives (and others) makes a 1000 hp rated reduction gear box that will bolt up to this engine and it only costs $2100. Airboat gear boxes are designed for much more abuse than aviation typically can dish out.
I am building a Mustang II and so far this engine is my leading candidate for a power plant. There are a couple of concerns however. The Ecotec has direct fuel injection with a built in high pressure fuel pump. I assume this setup would not be ideal for aviation use because of the high pressure fuel. I am thinking of converting it to a 500 cfm Holley carb with the Mcneilly leaning block, similar to the Belted Air Power setup. This may involve buying new heads and intake manifold , but even with that added in, it your still talking under $10000 for the FWF package.
What do you guys think?
Monte
