How Does A Tuned Exhaust System Impact My Aircraft’s Engine Performance?

An aircraft exhaust plays a vital role in the smooth, efficient, and power-saving engine performance. Therefore, an aircraft owner should never ignore the regular exhaust inspection, maintenance, and quality and design of their exhaust to start with.

In this regard, tuned exhaust proves to be an ideal option for several aircraft pistons. The installation of a tuned exhaust increases fuel efficiency, strength, and overall performance of the aircraft. To understand the benefits of a tuned aircraft exhaust and its working style, it is important to first comprehend the working of the traditional aircraft exhaust and engine. The latter will enable us to differentiate between the two clearly.

Working Of Regular Aircraft Combustion Engines

The traditional aircraft engine undergoes four strokes during the combustion process, namely, the intakes, compression, exhaust, and combustion strokes. To aid the process, an intake valve is located at the top of the cylinder. During the intake stroke, the piston moves down the cylinder and takes the fresh fuel and air mixture from the open intake valve.

Then the intake stroke ends with the closure of the intake valve. After that, The piston moves back up the cylinder, and the fuel it carries is compressed. At the same time, a spark is ignited from the spark valve, and the fuel mixture is combusted. This forces the cylinder to move down to produce the necessary power to turn on the aircraft propeller.

As the last step in the cycle, the exhaust valve opens where most of the used fuel and air mixture is released, and the process starts all over again.

As the used fuel is released, it is routed through the headers to the collector and then released using a tailpipe.

Difference Between Traditional Exhaust And Tuned Exhaust

Apparently, the traditional exhaust systems were primarily made to remove the gases from the cylinder and later, the manufacturers added mufflers and heating systems.

While the traditional exhaust systems are fully functional, room for improvement is still there. For instance, with the conventional exhaust systems, about 80% of the gases are emptied while the remaining 20% goes to waste every time.

On the other hand, tuned exhaust systems allow the removal of gases from the cylinder more efficiently owing to optimal sizing of the tubes that are longer than those of the traditional systems.

To better understand the usefulness of the longer tube, remember that heat and pressure waves are created every time the gases escape the valve. The longer tubes provide more time for the particles to travel and cool down. Resultantly, by the time they reach the escape point or when the valve is open, they have little to no effect on each other.

However, the optimal length of the tubes depends on the exhaust system. Moreover, the four tubes open collectively in one collector where they have the same length and are attached to the muffler and released out of the system.

Benefits Of Tuned Exhaust Systems

• A tuned exhaust system allows the system to clear the cylinder efficiently. The latter saves a lot of gases that otherwise are wasted just to create inertia.

• Moreover, the engine also enjoys more efficient fuel burn. This enables the aircraft to reach the RPM or travel more distance with the same fuel consumption compared to the traditional exhaust system.

• However, since most of the gases escape from the cylinder, the temperature at the collector is high as compared to the traditional exhaust system.

Maintenance Tips For Tuned Exhaust Aircraft

If your aircraft has a tuned exhaust system, the items included in your inspection schedule should comprise cowling, aircraft control wires, and other similar components. Moreover, you will be required to pay close attention to the exterior of the aircraft, inspect it for dents, cracks, and other wear and tear signs.

The same rule applies to the inspection of hoses, ducts, leads, and fuel lines. Also, these components should be protected from heat damage through a heat shield as they will be subjected to higher temperatures compared to traditional exhaust systems.

Additionally, the weld points, bend of each heel, and other spots prone to cracks and leaks also need extra attention during the inspection. For better results, request expert aircraft welding services from a reliable company.

The other components that need attention during aircraft inspection, especially the engine analysis, include; the clamp attached to the muffler, the muffler’s removable insert, and the heating shrouds.

In short, you should always keep your exhaust system clean. Regular inspections and timely maintenance keep the exhaust system and the aircraft in the finest condition.

Conclusion

The traditional exhaust systems work fine but there is always room for improvement and one should always work on it. In this regard, the tuned exhaust system fills the gaps left by traditional aircraft exhaust systems in functionality and efficiency.

Evidently, the operations of the tuned exhaust make it possible to save gases that are otherwise wasted in the cylinder to produce inertia. Hence, the main purpose of the tuned exhaust is to suction out all the gases from the cylinder efficiently. In return, the engine gets complete fuel burn, enabling it to travel long distances with the same fuel more efficiently than the traditional exhaust system.