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Additional Engine Information

Key Engine Data

ParameterValue
ManufacturerLycoming
ModelYIO-540-D4A5
Serial NumberEL-36315-48E
Type6-cylinder, horizontally opposed, fuel-injected, normally aspirated, air-cooled, direct drive
Rated Horsepower260 HP @ 2,700 RPM
Bore × Stroke5.125“ × 4.375“
Displacement541.5 cu in
Compression Ratio9:1
Firing Order1-4-5-2-3-6
Spark Plug Gap0.016“ – 0.022“
TBO (Lycoming recommended)2,000 hours
Installed2025-11-18 (new from Lycoming)
Hours at Installation0.0

Engine Management System

The engine is managed by the EFII System32, which replaces the stock Bendix fuel servo, magnetos, mixture cable, and engine-driven fuel pump with:

  • Dual ECUs — independent fuel and ignition control. Either ECU can run the engine.
  • Port fuel injection — six EFII PMI injectors (one per cylinder).
  • Electronic ignition — coil packs, automotive NGK plugs in EFII SPA-6 18 → 14 mm adapters.
  • Dual electric fuel pumps — Walbro GSL391 ×2, Bus Manager auto-cutover at 22 PSI Borla output absolute.
  • Borla 203133 MAP-referenced fuel pressure regulator — 45 PSI injector differential setpoint (DIFF mode on Dynon).

Pilot controls reduce to: throttle, propeller, Fuel Trim knob (±50% authority on the System32 controller — replaces the mixture lever). Fuel mixture, ignition timing, accelerator-pump enrichment, and warm-up enrichment are all handled automatically by the ECU based on MAP, RPM, and temperature inputs.

For complete System32 reference see sys-73-efii.md. For the mechanical engine reference see sys-71-engine.md. For the fuel system see sys-28-fuel-system.md.

Operating Limits Reference

See Section 2 for the authoritative table. Quick reference:

ParameterLimit
Max RPM2,700
Max CHT (red line)420 °F
Yellow CHT band400 – 420 °F (target < 400 °F)
Max Oil Temp245 °F
Oil Pressure (Idle Min)25 PSI
Oil Pressure (Normal)60 – 90 PSI
Fuel Pressure DIFF Setpoint45 PSI

Power Settings (Reference)

PhaseThrottleProp RPMFuel Trim
TakeoffFull2,7000%
Initial Climb (to 1,000 AGL)Full2,7000% (richen if CHT > 400)
Cruise ClimbFull2,5000%
Cruise (default)As desired2,4000%
DescentAs desired2,4000%
Approach / LandingIdleFull forward0%

Cooling

CHT management on this airframe (Lycoming IO-540 with EFII System32 in an RV-10 cowl) is the primary high-power-climb concern. Per Section 2, target CHT is < 400 °F at all power settings. Do not exceed 420 °F. If CHT approaches 400 in climb:

  1. Enrich Fuel Trim (+10% CW on the System32 controller).
  2. Reduce climb angle (lower the nose, accept a higher airspeed and a lower vertical rate).

CHT alarms are configured in the Dynon EMS sensor config (.dfg). See sys-71-engine.md — Cooling and the EMS sensor config in Public/Configs/Dynon/.