Engineered Propulsion Systems Graflight V-8


The Graflight V-8 is an aircraft diesel engine developed by Wisconsin-based Engineered Propulsion Systems

Design

V-8

It is a liquid-cooled V-8 with steel pistons and compacted graphite iron crankcase for better strength and durability than aluminum at similar weight, increasing time between overhauls to 3,000 h. It is managed by a Bosch ECU and consummes Jet A, JP-8 or straight diesel for general aviation aircraft and small helicopters, military drones, small boats or troop carriers, and its low vibration allows the use of composite or aluminum airscrews.
Its 17:1 compression ratio enables a best brake specific fuel consumption lower than while Avgas engines are at, for under at 65% power.
At, 75% of the max, it consumes where the Continental TSIO-550-E burns
The 4.3-liter, 350-horsepower engine will weigh more than comparable Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A or Continental TSIO-550-E and it will cost 30 percent more, but with higher TBO and lower fuel burn it will have lower operating costs.
It targets the Robinson R44, Beech Bonanza, GippsAero GA8 Airvan, Cessna TTx and Cessna 206.

Flat 8

The, 4.3-liter, flat-8 horizontal piston engine still has steel pistons, connecting rods, and crankcase to improve reliability.
At, it weighs more than a conventional engine, not including the radiator.
It should be 30 to 40% pricier than a comparable avgas engine but with 30 to 50 % better fuel economy.

Development

EPS started in 2006 and designing the basic engine took five years.
The engine was exhibited at the 2017 EAA AirVenture and FAA certification was expected by the end of the year.
In 2018, EPS was going to certify a Flat 8 engine, to replace general aviation gasoline engines and reducing fuel costs by 45%.
After testing was slowed by insufficient funding in 2017, it has been tested for 25 hours on a Cirrus Aircraft by July 2018 and future investors may include a Fortune 500 company while a new demonstrator should arrive in the first quarter of 2019.

Variants

;Graflight V-8

Applications