Cessna 172 motor.?

Question

What engine is used in a Cessna 172 (recent model) and what (if any) approved motor can be installed to improve performance? Are there any turbine conversions for this model?

Just curious.

Answer 1

Y'all left out the Hawk XP. It has an IO-360 Continental with 195 hp. Some were STCd to 205-210 hp. I got my high performance endorsement in a Hawk XP with 210 hp.

Answer 2

Early  80's P models through the R models use Lycoming O/IO-320's rated at 160 hp. The R models just have fuel injection. The newer SP model had a Lycoming IO-360 with 180hp.

I think there's an STC out for a Jet-A Diesel conversion for the 172.  Why would you want a turbine 172? That would just make it a bigger lump of c**p.

Answer 3

I don't know of much that can be done.  The engine is a Lycoming 0-320 or IO-320.

There was a Superhawk done by Penn Yan Aero that gave the(1980-1987 P-mode)l  180 hp over the standard 160hp. The R and S models (1997-up) have 160hp but are fuel injected.  As the above poster mentioned, the 172SP made in the last 3 years has 180hp.

I think there are STOL kits for the 172, which would improve runway performance.  You could do an engine swap with something more automotive, but I don't know where you'd look for that.

I recall there being a "Reims Rocket" 172 (Reims produced the 172 in France under license) but the details escape me

The 172 was designed as a trainer and it's a d**n good one. If you want more power, speed and performance, move up to a 182, especially an RG or Turbo,   ( or Turbo RG if you can find one)or a 210