BeechTalk - BT - Turbocharged PA-32's- Intercooler Mod

Username Protected · **Posted:** 23 Apr 2021, 14:49

I am kicking around the TurbosPlus intercooler set up. Installed I am looking at $20k-ish, and expect to break even on gas savings at about 230 hours of use. Biggest problem I deal with is heat on the cylinder heads in climb. 435 is pretty common and I have become numb to these high temps. In cruise, 390 on the hottest and 310 on the coolest. On the same fuel flow, I should see about 10kts increased TAS due to the new cowl used; they claim 12 kts though.

I do plan on keeping this plane for at least another 5 years, but dropping $20k on this is going to hurt for a while. I just don't know if it's truly worth it or not. That 230 hours will be about 3 years of flying for me.

Anyone with real world experience in doing this mod care to enlighten me? :thumbup:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 25 Apr 2021, 09:11

Hi Jeff,
Do an internet search of Jesse Johnson- Another adventure on BeechTalk. There are I think 19 pages of a thread on the intercooler and cowling on the Turbo Saratoga. He talks about getting the engine really dialed in and at the end he almost got (or was trying for I think) 190 or 193 knots at 15,000 feet altitude. I think the thread originated on Oct or Nov 7, 2018.
Great upgrade.
John

Username Protected · **Posted:** 25 Apr 2021, 09:51

I have correct baffle seal for that model if need be

Post pics of engine baffles

GB

Username Protected · **Posted:** 25 Apr 2021, 10:18

Username Protected wrote:

I have correct baffle seal for that model if need be

Post pics of engine baffles

GB

Guy

Is that an upgraded type of baffle system or just the OE replacements? I'm not following what you have available. I inquired with a baffle company out of AK a few months ago and was told they had no plans to make their full baffle kit for my plane so mine watch patched back together by the shop.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 25 Apr 2021, 10:22

Username Protected wrote:

Hi Jeff,
Do an internet search of Jesse Johnson- Another adventure on BeechTalk. There are I think 19 pages of a thread on the intercooler and cowling on the Turbo Saratoga. He talks about getting the engine really dialed in and at the end he almost got (or was trying for I think) 190 or 193 knots at 15,000 feet altitude. I think the thread originated on Oct or Nov 7, 2018.
Great upgrade.
John

John

I totally forgot about that thread. I just perused it, albeit his obsession was far beyond my needs (and skill set). My needs are to get me plus 4 somewhere with all my bags and speed is not the objective. Heat is my nemesis.

FWIW, I just accepted the quote from TurboPlus for the kit. I roasted two cylinders last year to the tune of $6k and if I can prevent that again, I'd call that winning.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Apr 2021, 11:08

Kevin Mead from western piper sent me original to duplicate

I have every original piper pattern from Western Piper,

back in the day

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Apr 2021, 13:15

Username Protected wrote:

Hi Jeff,
Do an internet search of Jesse Johnson- Another adventure on BeechTalk. There are I think 19 pages of a thread on the intercooler and cowling on the Turbo Saratoga. He talks about getting the engine really dialed in and at the end he almost got (or was trying for I think) 190 or 193 knots at 15,000 feet altitude. I think the thread originated on Oct or Nov 7, 2018.
Great upgrade.
John

I miss that thread. Did Jesse depart the pattern?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Apr 2021, 13:58

Username Protected wrote:

Hi Jeff,
Do an internet search of Jesse Johnson- Another adventure on BeechTalk. There are I think 19 pages of a thread on the intercooler and cowling on the Turbo Saratoga. He talks about getting the engine really dialed in and at the end he almost got (or was trying for I think) 190 or 193 knots at 15,000 feet altitude. I think the thread originated on Oct or Nov 7, 2018.
Great upgrade.
John

I miss that thread. Did Jesse depart the pattern?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Apr 2021, 16:35

I was really interested in that thread and then I believe Jesse got pretty badly hurt and the updates stopped.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Apr 2021, 11:19

Geez is he ok?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Apr 2021, 11:47

Username Protected wrote:

I was really interested in that thread and then I believe Jesse got pretty badly hurt and the updates stopped.

What happened? :bugeye:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Apr 2021, 20:44

The intercooler mod makes the plane be what it should have been from the start. It makes the engine run cooler, it makes the plane go faster, it looks so much better, and most importantly, on the day you go to sell it, you're way ahead of the stock planes in resale value, and resale speed.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 01 May 2021, 21:47

Username Protected wrote:

The intercooler mod makes the plane be what it should have been from the start. It makes the engine run cooler, it makes the plane go faster, it looks so much better, and most importantly, on the day you go to sell it, you're way ahead of the stock planes in resale value, and resale speed.

I shopped for one but I could not pass up this one. In retrospect, I should have bought a intercooled bird and then did the panel. Would be cheaper OA. Se la vi I suppose.