Thunderbolt engines are Lycoming's brand of high performance, built-to-order power plants for Experimental aircraft. With Thunderbolt engines, customers get a genuine Lycoming engine that is factory built, factory tested and factory supported - with several popular options of fuel systems, ignition systems, performance enhancements and finishing options. These features come with every Lycoming Thunderbolt engine:
- Balanced rotating system within 0.5 gram (connecting rods, pistons, piston pins)
- Ported and polished cylinders
- Chrome rocker covers
- Customized paint options
Van’s Aircraft, Inc. has an OEM agreement with Lycoming Engines that allows us to offer factory-new engines at very favorable prices. This agreement has several requirements: Engines are available only to RV builders with a Van’s aircraft serial number, and must be installed on the corresponding airplane with that serial number.
Builders must have purchased, or have already on order, all kits through the Finishing Kit for that serial number. Only one (1) engine per serial number may be purchased. Only the models listed below are available. Van's limits the specific engines it will provide tfor a given aircraft serial number to those engines specified by Van's for use on the specific aircraft model under construction.
If an aircraft has already been flown, but the special pricing available through Van's has never been used for that aircraft serial number, the owner may purchase the engine thoughh Van's with the special pricing. This option is available owners of an aircraft built by another person, as long as the one-time special price option has not been used for that aircraft serial number prior.
The timing of your order and reciept of deposit establishes the engine price. Customer-initiated changes or delays may result in price increases. Prices are subject to change without notice.
Default ignition option on Thunderboth engines is one impulse-coupled magneto (4-cyl retard for IO-540) and one plain magneto.
Van's specifies a specific list of engines for our aircraft models, and will sell engines to be installed on aircraft models for which we have determined the application is appropriate.
Note that Rotax engines for the RV-12 and RV-12iS are ordered as a component of the Powerplant Kit for those models. This form does not apply.
Engine Model
HP
Ind
Prop
Cyl
Notes
ENPL
v=vertical, h=horizontal, ca=cold air sump, fp=fixed pitch, cs=constant speed
Note: Not avalable for IO-540 engines.
The IO-390-EXP119 engine was designed to be as light as possible, and by default does not include a rear accessory pad. This option allows you to "add back" the upper rear accessory pad location components, which also increases the engine weight by about two pounds. This option is typically chosen if the builder wishes to install a backup alternator in the engine's rear accessory location.
Note that the dual ring gear is only available on the IO-540 (no extra chanrge) and is used for air conditioning applications. There is no additional charge on Thunderbolt engines to substitutue Airflow Performance fuel injection (note that AvStar is standard).
Note that a Thunderbolt associate will contact you to confirm your color preferences.
When you buy a new Lycoming engine from Van's Aircraft and also purchase a propeller from Van's at the same time, we offer a $1,000 reduction in the price of the engine. Use this field to indicate your desire to place the package order. Your Van's Kit Team representative will process the combined order for you.
Unless you specify a liftgate is needed, you will be responsible for ensuring a safe method of transferring the heavy engine crate from the truck to the ground or other unloading surface.
Due to high production demand, Lycoming asks us to collect information regarding the timing of desired engine installation from each customer. This helps Lycoming prioritize their engine production schedule. If you will be insrtalling your engine soon, please indicate such. If your engine install will happen sometime in the future and you are ordering now for convenience, pricing or other reasons and can wait a bit for delivery, please let us know the date by which you expect to need it.
Note that this information does not commit Lycoming to a specific delivery date; rather it is a means for you to provide additional information to be taken into account by Lycoming, where and when they can do so.
Please include any details you wish to make us aware of concerning your order.
If you've asked us to keep your credit/debit card number on file and want us to charge that card, please enter the last 4 digits of your card number below. If not, just leave it blank.
Customer Information
Typically your aircraft serial number, which is assigned with the Empennage/Tail kit
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Certified engines have all the certifications necessary to install them in a production airplane and are available upon request. Non-certified engines are functionally and mechanically identical, but do not have the certifications, which are not required for airplanes licensed in the Experimental category.
All engines are equipped with roller tappets, dual magnetos, ignition harness, fuel pump, starter, vacuum pump drive, prop governor drive, and Avstar carburetor or injector. 149-tooth ring gear. Alternators, exhaust systems, vacuum pumps, governors, etc. vary according to aircraft type and are not supplied.
Van’s does not maintain a stock of Lycoming engines at its warehouse. Within the USA/Canada engines ship directly to the customer from Lycoming. Additional shipping charges apply to engines shipped to Alaska, Hawaii and Canada. Exact shipping cost will depend on destination and will be billed separately. Orders to international addresses will ship from Lycoming to Van’s. Shipping charges from Van’s to the final destination is additional cost. To ensure proper shipment, this form must be completed and submitted.
Deposit and Payment
A 25% non-refundable deposit is required to initiate your order. Your deposit may be made in U.S. funds by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Disover) or by check, money order, wire transfer.
Payment of the balance must be received in full before shipment of the engine from Textron Lycoming to your location (or before shipment to Van's in the case of international orders). Payment of the balance must be made in U.S. funds via check, money order, or wire transfer. We are unable to accept credit card payments for the balance.
