So I was reading through the latest article of AOPA (it's a pilot magazine) and I found somthing I think people here might appreciate.



Exxon sponsors a team named the "Flyin' Tigers" and their plane. Recently the plane got some upgrades that make it pretty badass. They just switched to a Lycoming (popular airplane mfg) Horizontally opposed 6 cyl 540 cubic inch engine with a 12:1 compression ratio. If 8.? litres isn't enough to amuse you, they put a turbo on it that runs 25psi. A very big turbo I might add. I rememer reading somewhere in the article that the plane weighs around 1,500 lbs.



The goal of the plane was to break existing piston engine performance records, and they're doing well. They don't give any HP or torque ratings in the article (boo!) but they do mention that it climbs at 6,000 feet per minute (very awesome for a piston plane), and can cruise at 40,000 ft.



The mechanics and pilot are trying to resolve some "heat issues" with the plane. They added an IC to help, but they still have to climb at 140mph just to keep the temp low enough.



All I can say is: