Frequently Asked Questions Certification 1. Are the ACS-320, ACS-360 and ACS-361 (ACS) Engines new zero time engines?

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1 Frequently Asked Questions Certification 1. Are the ACS-320, ACS-360 and ACS-361 (ACS) Engines new zero time engines? Yes. The ACS Engines are brand new, zero time engines designed to meet the increasing demands of the Sport Aviation market and airframe manufacturers. Each Engine comes with an Operator s Manual, new logbook and a Data Plate. 2. Are the ACS Engines certified? Although the majority of all components are FAA approved the Engines have not been type certified as a complete engine. Therefore, once assembled, the engines fall in the experimental category. This offers the opportunity to easily configure your engine with high compression pistons, aftermarket fuel injection system or electronic ignition system. 3. What do you mean by the majority of parts are certified? There is FAA approval on all major components and the piece parts with the exception of some standard hardware, some accessories, and cylinders for the 361, a state of the art cold air induction sump and roller lifters. 4. What are theacs PLUS Engines? The ACS PLUS engines incorporate a revolutionary new camshaft and roller lifter design which is based on proven automotive racing engine technology. The new camshaft features an efficient lobe profile and roller lifters to provide many performance advantages over the standard flat tappet camshaft design. 5. Who builds my engine if I order an ACS Engine? Your engine will be assembled by Aircraft Engine Specialists (AES) in Chandler, AZ. AES is an FAA Certified Repair Station (#ZF7R728Y) that specializes in overhauling Lycoming and Continental piston aircraft engines. They have a very experienced staff that has overhauled thousands of engines. Your engine will be assembled under the same quality control system that the FAA approved for them to overhaul engines. Engine Characteristics 1. What is the difference between the ACS Engine and a typical Lycoming 320 and 360? The ACS Engine includes the latest improvements in technology and many other custom enhancements, yet unavailable on standard Lycoming factory engines. The crankcase has been strengthened with reinforced cylinder decks. The reinforced crankcase cylinder deck eliminates deck to deck cracking. The crankcase offers a balanced oil system. Totally redesigned, the balanced oil system lubricates the camshaft from both sides to reduce oil pressure fluctuations and to equalize oil-flow through the entire engine. Pressured oil lubricates the crankcase thrust face, reducing friction on the loaded surface of the case where the crankshaft pulls the case forward. This process actually acts as a cooling system as well.

2 2. What is the type and minimum grade of fuel? The 160 HP and 180HP engines are approved for 91 octane unleaded auto fuel and a minimum of 100LL-aviation fuel. It is recommended to use 100LL, although this is not a requirement. A 170HP, 87 octane version is also available with 7.2:1 compression ratio pistons. The 185HP version which incorporates 9.0:1 pistons requires the use of 100LL. 3. Does this mean I can use auto gas? The ACS Engine can operate and perform at rated power using unleaded fuel. When operating on unleaded fuel, the recommendation is to use fresh, premium auto fuel available at a major brand, reputable gas station. Acceptable fuels are specified per ASTM D NOTE: Use of auto fuel blended with ethanol or gasohol is forbidden. Ethanol (alcohol) mixed with unleaded fuel can cause vapor lock, carburetor ice, reduction in range, carburetor problems and damage to the fuel system. The use of an alcohol (and water) tester is recommended. 4. Is there special or specific oil approved for the engine? The recommended oil must meet MIL-L-22851, ashless dispersant grades. Multi-weights (15W50 or 20W50) are recommended for all temperatures and straight weight oils are recommended for various average ambient air temperatures. 5. Are the engines available in 12-volt and 24-volt configurations? Yes, both engines are available in 12 volt and 24 volt configurations. 6. Can I use my existing engine mount? The engine mounts for the ACS Engines were designed as a direct drop-in for a Lycoming engine replacement. Please note it is imperative to determine whether your existing engine mount is designed for #1 or #2 dynafocal mount or a conical mount style engine. The various mount types are part of the engine crankcase and cannot be modified once the engine is assembled. 7. What is the dry weight of the engine? The dry weight of the (carbureted) O-360 is 287 lbs. including standard accessories. The dry weight of the (fuel injected) IO-360 is 290 lbs. including standard accessories. 8. My aircraft requires a forward mount induction system. Will the ACS Engine fit? A new state-of-the-art forward facing cold air induction sump is designed for fuel injection applications and is now available as an option. 9. Does the engine come with an oil filter and an oil screen? Yes, the ACS Engines are supplied with a full flow oil filter and an oil suction (finger) screen. 10. What RPM do the engines turn? Redline RPM is 2700 RPM. Normal cruise RPM is RPM.

3 11. Can both a fixed pitch and constant speed propeller be used with this engine? Yes, models of the ACS Engines can be configured for a fixed pitch propeller application and models configured for a constant speed propeller application. NOTE: Installing a constant speed propeller on engines configured for fixed pitch propeller requires modifications to the engine. Installing a fixed pitch propeller on an engine configured for a constant speed propeller requires engine modifications as well. 12. What propeller is approved for the engine? Currently, Hartzell, Sensenich, Aero Composites and MT have propellers approved for the ACS Engines. 13. Are there any propeller restrictions with the ACS-360 Engine? Some of the propellers which are approved for the ACS-360 series of engines do not have any operating restrictions. There are however some propellers that do have operating restrictions. 14. Is the engine Fuel Injected or Carbureted? The ACS Engines have models available with an experimental RSA-5A fuel injector option or an MA-4-5 carburetor option. 15. What types of Accessories come with the engine? The standard ACS Engines includes the following new accessories; Slick magnetos and ignition harness, Champion spark plugs, Sky-Tec starter, Marvel Schebler Carburetor or Precision Silver Hawk Fuel Injection System, and an Aero Accessories fuel pump. 16. Can I buy replacement accessories from Aircraft Spruce? Yes, aftermarket replacement accessories and spare parts are readily available from Aircraft Spruce& Specialties. Performance 1. What is the maximum continuous horsepower rating of these engines? Max continuous horsepower for the ACS-320 is 160 HP and with high compression pistons 170 HP. Max continuous HP for the ACS-360 is 180 HP and with high compression pistons 185 HP. Maximum continuous HP for the ACS-361 is 195 HP 2. What effect does altitude have on this rating? All aircraft engines are rated by the amount of horsepower they produce at sea level at standard ISA conditions. The naturally aspirated ACS-360 Engines produce rated 180 HP 0/ +5% at sea level in standard ISA conditions. As with any naturally aspirated engine, as pressure altitude increases, available horsepower decreases, however, this effect does not change the rated horsepower of an engine. 3. How does that compare to a typical Lycoming 360? The Lycoming O-360-A1A burns 10.5 GPH at 75% power (compared to 10 GPH for the

4 ACS-360) and 9.0 GPH at 65% power (compared to 8.7 GPH for the ACS-360). 4. Are there performance curves available for the engine? Yes. Engine specifications sheet that provide dimensional data as well as power curves are available. TBO 1. What is the TBO of this engine? A recommended 2000-hour TBO has been established for the ACS Engines. Service Maintenance 1. What are the scheduled maintenance requirements for this engine? The ACS Engine Operators Manual outlines the required maintenance inspections including pre-flight inspections, the initial 25-hour inspection, and routine re-occurring 50, 100 and 500 hour inspections. 2. Who is authorized to perform maintenance on the engine? The ACS Engines are experimental engines and as such, no specific FAA license is required. However, for the owner s safety and peace of mind, it is strongly recommended that the owner have a licensed mechanic work with an owner for the first inspections for the purpose of training and to insure the engine is thoroughly inspected. 3. Are piece parts readily available for the engine? Yes. Aircraft Spruce will be able to supply all piece parts along with a network of Superior Air Parts Authorized Worldwide Distributors that carries a large assortment of inventory. 4. Are there specific break-in procedures for the engine? Yes. Service Letter 96-08D that applies to the ACS Engines. Procedures are also included in our Operator s Manual. Cost and Availability 1. Can I order an engine today and whom do I order it from? Yes! Call Aircraft Spruce at 877-4SPRUCE or (951) and ask for an engine sales representative. Our sales representatives can assist you in determining the exact engine you want and answer any questions you may have. 2. If I ordered an engine today, when can I expect delivery? The only way to determine delivery dates is at the time of order. Once the engine is ordered, depending on the backlog of orders ahead of you, we can give you an estimated date for delivery. 3. Is a deposit required? Yes, a 50% deposit is required to place your order into our production plan. Aircraft

5 Spruce will notify the customer in advance of the actual completion date and require full payment of the balance. Miscellaneous 1. What comes with the completed engine? These experimental engine are built and tested by Aircraft Engine Specialists and are supplied with an ACS Engine data plate, a Logbook and Operator s Manual. 3. Does a vacuum pump come with the engine? Aircraft Spruce does not include a vacuum pump with the ACS Engines. Because of the various aircraft applications the engine may fit in, some customers may not require a vacuum pump. Since vacuum pumps are readily available from Aircraft Spruce we allow the customer to make the decision as to whether he needs a vacuum pump. 4. Where does the alternator mount? Although the ACS Engines are not supplied with an alternator, a provision has been provided to mount a bracket to the lower right front portion of the engine. Because of the various applications the engine may fit and the different requirements for electrical systems, Aircraft Spruce does not supply an alternator with the ACS Engines; however, it may be ordered separately. 5. Is there a provision on the ACS Engines for bayonet style cylinder head temperature probes? Yes. Millennium Cylinders installed on the ACS Engine have provisions for bayonet style cylinder head temperature probes. Certification 1. Can I use MOGAS (91 octane) with ACS-320 or ACS-360? 91 octane Mogas through 100LL is approved in the ACS-320 and ACS-360 standard compression engines as long as there is no ethanol in the fuel. If you elect to install high compression pistons, you can no longer use Mogas. Use of Mogas is not recommended for the ACS Is roller lifter technology more durable than standard flat tappet design? Roller lifter technology is more durable than standard flat tappet designs. There are two reasons for this. First the profile of the camshaft is very gentle and allows for smoother operation. Second, the roller lifter rolls over the camshaft lobes instead of sliding across them. Performance 1) What are the advantages of fuel injection over normally aspirated? 2)Some kit builders are replacing only one magneto with electronic ignition, what is the advantage of this? 1) Fuel injection has 3 main advantages. First, your engine receives even fuel distribution

6 to all cylinders. Second, carburetor ice is no longer an issue and third, it allows for aerobatics without engine stumbling. 2) The use of a magneto as a back up for electronic ignition eliminates the need to install an additional battery in the airplane in case of electrical failure. Certification 1. What oil change frequency is recommended for the engines? Does frequency of flight influence the recommendation? It is recommend you change your oil and filter every 50 hours or 6 months whichever occurs first. 2. What is the distance on the conical engine mount centers? The conical mount is vertical center distance, 11.5 horizontal center distance, and it is 4.56 from the bottom mount centers to the crankshaft centerline 3. What are the oil recommendations for the ACS engines after break in. We approve the use of any FAA approved aircraft engine oil. 4. Do the injected engine require a fuel return line? The standard injection system which comes with the ACS engines is the Precision Silver Hawk system. This system does not require a return line. 5. What are the bolts size used to fix the propeller at a ACS-360? The bolt size is ½" 6. I am buying a RV-7A kit and intend to use an ACS-360 engine. I m going to use a Fixed Pitch Propeller but would like to have the option to change for a Constant Speed prop in the future. What is the best engine version to buy? The best and most economical way is to purchase a constant speed ACS engine and have us build it in a fixed pitch configuration. This will save you a lot of money in the long run and bring more value to your aircraft when you sell it. 7. Do you have any type of program where you might take an engine in on trade-in. Yes, please contact Aircraft Engine Specialists directly ( ). 8. Does an ACS-360 with FI need to be primed for starting? In a fuel injected model you use the electric boost pump to get fuel to the flow divider and cylinders before start up. No primer lines or system is required. 9.What is your current approximate lead time? Lead-times for an ACS engine generally run 2-3 weeks after the engine kit has been received.