Pilot feedback for TurboPlus Lance Intercooler System

I bought the TurboPlus kit for my 78 lance sometime between 1989 and 1990. My reasons had nothing to do with speed, climb or altitude capability. My interest was engine cooling and cylinder life. I discovered that a turbo lance flown at 75% best power, besides burning 22 gallons an hour, would cost you a set of cylinders at 600 hours, give or take a few minutes. I saw this again and again as a commercial pilot.

After installing the TurboPlus kit I reduced my cruse power to 65%best economy, + one extra gallon per hour. I dropped 12 kts but saved approximately $25 (5 gallons) in fuel per hour! With the reduced power loads and better cooling I was able to get 1,100 hours out of my last cylinders! It’s the only thing I’ve ever bought that pays for itself then keeps on paying!

William D. Bentley

Piper Seneca with TurboPlus Intercooler System

I own a 1982 Seneca III that received the TurboPlus intercooler modification shortly after I purchased the aircraft. I have been extremely pleased with the TurboPlus modification and offer the following comments:

• Critical altitude for the engines has been increased by virtue of the TurboPlus intercooler modification to approximately 18,000 feet thus increasing single engine capability and high altitude climb and cruise performance.

• Equal cruise speeds require substantially reduced manifold pressure and substantially reduced fuel consumption for non-modified aircraft.

• Equal manifold pressure will accomplish up to10-knot airspeed increase.

• The engine cylinder head temperatures have been greatly reduced since the TurboPlus modification, allowing operation at any altitude and temperature in cruise configuration. This was not possible prior to the TurboPlus intercooler modification in hot weather.

• Temperature changes after the TurboPlus intercooler modification show about 160 degrees cooling differential at moderate power settings.

• The cooling effect increases at higher power settings and air speeds

The main reason we elected to make the TurboPlus intercooler modification was primarily related to engine life and safety related to cooler and smoother engine operation and what we feel is a decreased risk of major engine problems, and extended engine life. We also feel much more comfortable about single engine capabilities in the mountain and IFR environments we operate in.

E.P Smith