Below is a photo of Deems BPE IO-540-X with Cold Induction and upgraded fuel injection system (AFP FM-300). We both upgraded to 9:1 compression for a modest increase in Hp while retaining the same 2000 TBO. Deems engine developed ~292 Hp on the Dyno. I am featuring Deems engine because mine has not shipped yet due to a delay as BPE had a rush build an IO-540-X for the Red Bull aerobatic team. I expect my engine should look almost exactly the same. Mine BPE engine is being painted a similar blue with chrome valve covers. I consider BPE to be one of the top 3 or 4 experimental engine builders in North America.

Below is also a BPE IO-540-X. I am displaying this engine because I liked the color so much I was thinking of painting my plane about the same color as I had seen a beautiful RV-4 with a similar metallic copper paint scheme at the Chino air show (See next photo). I wish I was brave enough to commit to something other than Blue, Silver White.

Yeah, I received photos of my engine during late stage build. I also received the invoice; bummer. My BPE engine is scheduled to run in the test booth tomorrow. I have requested and paid for an extra two hours of run time from the builder (Total of 4 hours on the test bench) to help assure a proper break in. For those that don’t know, the proper way to break in these engines is to run them wide full open for the first several hours. Initial break in can take as long as 10 hours. Heck some engine builders want you to tow your airplane to the run up area and start it for the first time, ask for clearance and GOOOOO. I don’t feel it is a good idea under any circumstance to take an airframe that has barely left the hangar let alone left the ground to the end of the runway and fly it full throttle the very first time. Think of how many things could go wrong even in an expertly built aircraft. Could this be the reason many insurance companies will not insure first flights? I hope with the added bench time the most critical phase of the break in will be professionally handled allowing us to perform normal taxi, high speed taxi and other ground testing without fear of damaging this engine. With the photos I was also notified that my engine received an updated version of the Cold Induction System (CIS). Don’t tell Deems. CIS is one of the only places to gain “free” horse power by providing cooler (denser) air into the combustion process. I will report back soon as to what this 260 Hp engine outputs on the dyno.
Dyno results are in 293 Hp!

My engine arrived today (11-28-2007). It’s nice to actually have it in hand as the engine & panel are the two most critical items supplied by outside vendors. As stated above the 260 Hp engine Dyno’s at 293 Hp after the small mods like 9:1 compression, Cold Induction and an FM300 fuel delivery system. When the custom Forsling exhaust that was specifically designed for this engine is mounted it should make for one muscular power plant.

The two photos below display the Alternator & Skytec hi-torque N-Line Starter attached. This is also a good angle to see the Cold Air Induction system and Airflow Performance FM300 fuel system.