Powerflow performance claims

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gtmize
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Powerflow performance claims

Post by gtmize »

I purchased a 2011 DA40 XLS last year which came with Powerflow exhaust system.

I was wondering if Diamond or others have compared performance of post 2008 planes when Diamond made the switch.

10-15% improved climb, + 5-8 kts, .5-1.5 gph fuel savings @ same power settings, +2,000 to 5,000 improved ceiling ( to 16,000'?), lower CHTs

These are dramatic claims but I wonder how noticeable they have been in the real world. If they are, I assume many pre 2008 owners would have had retrofits
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Rich
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Re: Powerflow performance claims

Post by Rich »

As a guy who did the retrofit on my 2002, the improvement in climb you posted is understated. At gross, my increase was 300+ FPM, which is more like 40% improvement. Cruise speed increase is about what I've seen, but you don't get the fuel flow improvement AND cruise speed increase simultaneously. In fact PF doesn't make that claim if you read the literature.

Another variable I have is that the PF conversion was done when I had the old MTOW of 2535 lbs. I've since done the MTOW increase to 2646. When flying at this heavier weight (not often) it eats into the improved climb rate, naturally, but it's still far better than it was originally. Having a PF is not a formal prerequisite for getting the MTOW mod done, but it does make it more practical to actually fly in the heavier weight range.
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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