RV10 Engine Options

RV10 Engine Options - Builder #40237 (N237VX)
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When Van's introduced the RV-10 they planned three engine configurations. One configuration using a smaller lighter 210 HP Continental IO-360ES, and two others using the larger 235 and 260HP Lycoming I/O-540. The #1 factory demonstrator used the IO-540, while the #2 RV-10 used the Continental IO-360. I guess trying to anticipate demand, in late 2004 Van's did a builder poll on engine choices. The results of the poll was published in the 2005 #1 issue of The RVator.

Results of the poll; 25% - New IO-540; 53% - Used 540; 1% - New O-540; 5% - IO-360; Other - 5%; and 11% - Don't know

With only 5% of the builders (myself included) planning on the IO-360, they will most likely NOT follow through on providing a firewall forward kit for this engine anytime soon. Since most builders are opting for the IO-540 they will most likely focus on this and may not expend the tooling effort to support the Continental IO-360.

Vans has also unequivocally stated that they DO NOT intend to support the Continental IO/O-470 and IO-520. It's too heavy for the RV-10 frame and the induction system intefers with the RV-10 nose gear suspension system. The angle valve IO-540 producing 300 HP will also NOT be supported by Vans. It is too wide, too heavy and too powerful according to Vans.

Personally I like the Continental IO-360 and was leaning that way if Vans was going to offer it. This is the same engine that powers the Cirrus SR-20 and the Lancair ES. I currently fly a 2,800 pound gross weight Cardinal with a 200 HP engine. It cruises respectible and is super efficient. 210 HP in a 2700 pound gross weight RV-10 would have been fine with me. The new Lycoming I/O-540 clones on the market however have caused me to reconsider the IO-540s. An IO-540 clone with ALL new certified parts (but not a certified engine) at a resonable cost will now become my first choice.

My TMX IO-540 arrived from Mattituck this week.

Below is a list of the vendors offering the Lycoming clone IO-540.

Model	Seller	Cost	Comments
IO-540-D4A5	Van's Aircraft	$42,650	Outright All New Certified - Van's RV-10 builder only
TMXIO-540-X	Mattituck	$39,200	Outright All New Clone - From Lycoming parts. (See full Brochure here) With Red Gold option
IO-540-X	Aerosport Power	$40,300	Outright All New Clone - From Lycoming parts
IO-540-X	Barrett Performance Engines	$4?,??0	Outright All New Clone - From Lycoming parts
O-540-E4A5	G&N Aircraft	$35,505	Outright All New Clone - From Lycoming parts
IO-540-D4A5	VanBortel	$31,417 + Core	Certified Factory rebuilt with core trade in. ($12,500 approx.)
TIO-360-ES	VanBortel	$32,470 + Core	New 210 HP Continental with Core (~$10,000) trade in. No Firewall Forward kit from Vans as yet