VP Engine Assembly 2

The photo below shows the weight of the VP connecting rod with it's cap and cap bolts which weigh in at 1 pound 1.8 oz for a savings of 5.8 oz per rod for a combined reciprocating weight savings of 1.45 pounds for the 4 rods in the engine.

The below photo shows an unaltered close up of the precission to which the VPS engine components are manufactured. Can you see the separation line between the rod cap and the connecting rod? It is such a close tolerance fit that it is difficult to see. This level of precission is what one would expect in a "blue-printed" engine like the ones that VPS produces.

The photo below shows the fit and finish of the stock connecting rod and cap. To the left is the edge of a VPS connecting rod and cap.

The stock heads are reworked for the installation of the VPS valve train, head gaskets, and valve covers.

The photo below shows the head as it came off the stock Rotorway helicopter engine on the right and on the left the head has been surfaced for trueness prior to installing the valve train and mating to the VPS head gasket.

After 50 hours of hard dyno running and flight testing, the sparkplugs show that the VPS engine has a very clean burn.

The new VPS valve covers are machined from solid billet aluminum and incorporate both an inside and outside flange to secure the gasket from shifting. Our valve cover is taller than the stock cover to allow clearance for the VPS roller rocker valve train.

Vertical Performance Systems, LLC is continuing the flight testing of the turbocharged 236 hp version of our engine. This extremely powerful engine was developed to run on the dyno to put maximum stress and loads on every engine component and the results were that all components held up with no apparent wear. The turbocharged VPS engine is far too powerful to be flown in the Rotorway helicopter by less than an experienced pilot, due to it's 100 hp over the stock RW engines, and VPS will not offer this version for the Rotorway helicopters.

We have now finished the dyno testing of the normally aspirated version of the VPS engine and the results are nothing short of AMAZING!!

Our goal was to provide a true 150 hp at sea level to optimize the performance of the Rotorway helicopter and to eliminate the design problems that have plagued this engine for years. By replacing every component of the stock engine with state of the art components of the latest design and manufacturing processes, VPS, LLC has produced an engine that is designed to match the reliability of modern aircraft engines.

The highest actual hp that we have seen developed in the stock normally aspirated engine new from the kit factory has been well below 150 hp. The new VPS engine is consistantly developing 170+ hp and 200+ ft./lbs of torque. This means that we really have no need for a turbocharged version for installation in the Rotorway helicopters. This nearly 40 additional hp should give sea level performance of the allowable 150 hp up to around 8000 feet msl. Andrew is working on optimizing the heads for even greater high altitude performance for those who expect to be operating consistantly from LZs above 8000 feet msl.

Due to the greatly increased power of the VPS engine, each operator will need to abide by the maximum allowable manifold pressure that is issued with the engine to prevent over-stressing drive train components. The R22 engine has much more power than the pilot is allowed to use and is also limited by manifold pressure. What this means now is when flown in high density altitude conditions, the VPS engine will continue to provide the operator with the maximun allowable 150 hp with reserves.

We feel that this new powerplant will help re-invigorate the passion that so many people have had for their Rotorway helicopters. We hope that this project will benefit the Rotorway company by giving present and future owners or Rotorway helicopters a reliable option that will meet and exceed the performance goals that the factory states on their literature. The more that owners trust their helicopter power plant, the more they will fly their helicopters and this is good for the Rotorway industry from the factory on down.

We are currently building the next 4 Beta Flight test engines for our customer-testers. Once we have proven the reliability and durability of this engine, we will then begin taking orders from the general public on a selective basis. If you are interested in a production position, contact Orv at VPS, LLC.

In the works now is the VPS water-cooled aircraft engine. More to come.