Note that shipping rates will be determined by Lycoming when the engine build starts/we collect your final payment. Shipping charges will be added to the final payment paperwork at that time.
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 valid aircraft serial number and the engine must be installed on that corresponding airplane.
To purchase an engine from Van's builders must have purchased, or have already on order, all kits through the Finishing Kit for that kit/aircraft serial number. Only one (1) engine per aircraft serial number may be purchased via this offer. This offer is available for the lifetime of the airplane as long as no engine has been previously purchased for that aircraft/kit serial number, including if aircraft ownership changes. Engines will be sold only for the models specified in the tables, below. Van's limits the specific engines it sells for an aircraft to those specified by our engineering team for the specific aircraft model under construction.
The timing of your order and receipt of your deposit payment establishes the engine price and your place in the manufacturing queue. Customer-initiated changes or delays to the schedule may result in price increases. Prices are subject to change at any time and without notice.
Thunderbolt engines are Lycoming's brand of high performance, built-to-order powerplants for experimental aircraft. 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
If an aircraft has already been flown, but the special pricing available through Van's has not been used for that aircraft serial number, the owner may purchase the engine through Van's with the special pricing. This option is available to 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.
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.
All Thunderbolt engines are available to order with or without an ignition or fuel system installed. You may also order with either two E-Mags or two Lycoming Electronic Ignition System (EIS) units. Not all options are available on all engines and any further customization will result in additional fees/charges, which you may discuss with Lycoming after your place your order.
All Thunderbolt engine orders that include a fuel system will be delivered with the appropriate Airflow Performance brand fuel servo.
In the table below, we will display those engines that are available with the ignition/fuel system combination you select.
Engine Model
HP
Ind
Prop
Cyl
Notes
ENPL
Engine Model
HP
Ind
Prop
Cyl
Notes
ENPL
Engine Model
HP
Ind
Prop
Cyl
Notes
ENPL
- Note: When ordering the IO-540 with an Airflow Performance throttle body, you will need to provide some components that are not included in our Firewall-Forward kit. Specifically, the push-pull cables, VA-182 throttle/mixture bracket and fuel hoses will likely need to be replaced with parts that fit the AFP option, and the Van's filtered air box may require some modification .
v=vertical, h=horizontal, ca=cold air sump, fp=fixed pitch, cs=constant speed
Note that a Thunderbolt associate will contact you to confirm your color preferences.
Have your cylinder's metal fins polished to a near-mirror finish. Adds substantial "bling" to the engine.
Custom Thunderbolt Engine Options
The following options are available from Lycoming for Thunderbolt engines. Selection of one or more of these options will result in the addition of a $1000 engine customization fee (charged once per engine), plus the individual cost of each custom item chosen.
Note: Choosing this option will result in an engine customization charge of $1000 (charged once per engine regardless of how many custom options are selected).
Note: Choosing this option will result in an engine customization charge of $1000 (charged once per engine regardless of how many custom options are selected).
Note: Choosing this option will result in an engine customization charge of $1000 (charged once per engine regardless of how many custom options are selected).
Add some super-extra shine to the top end of your Thunderbolt.
Note: Choosing this option will result in an engine customization charge of $1000 (charged once per engine regardless of how many custom options are selected).
Add some super-extra shine to the top end of your Thunderbolt.
Note: Choosing this option will result in an engine customization charge of $1000 (charged once per engine regardless of how many custom options are selected).
Notes: Choosing this option will result in an engine customization charge of $1000 (charged once per engine regardless of how many custom options are selected).
Inclusion of the cold-air induction sump system may require customization of our firewall-forward and/or finishing kits, as the sump is physically different than the standard sump.
Note: Choosing this option will result in an engine customization charge of $1000 (charged once per engine regardless of how many custom options are selected).
Note: Choosing this option will result in an engine customization charge of $1000 (charged once per engine regardless of how many custom options are selected).
This customization fee appears and is automatically added only if one or more of the following options have been selected:
Compression Ratio Changes
Chrome Pushrod Tubes
Cold Air Induction (IO-540)
Aerobatic Kit
Parts Removal
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.
Shipping and liftgate charges are variable and will be determined by Lycoming at the time your engine build begins and Van's collects your final payment.
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.
Please include any details you wish to make us aware of concerning your order.
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, appropriate ignition harness, fuel pump, starter, vacuum pump drive, prop governor drive, and carburetor or fuel servo/injectors. 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.
