Fuel injection and SureFly mags

brien23

brien23

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Brien
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I have the SureFly mags left only, engine starts up first couple of blades hot or cold. Has anyone changed to SureFly mag and noticed hot starts better than old mag?
 
100% all around better, have a few thousand hours on them as well with no issues.
 

I'm thinking about this modification. Any issues with your install? Any issues finding an A&P to do the work? Notice any power increase at altitude?
 
I put a SureFly on the left mag last year. (Piper Arrow -- IO-360-C1C). I had the A&P connect the manifold pressure for the variable timing.

Starting is a non-issue, 1st or 2nd blade. I don't have enough hot starts yet to make a determination, but hot starts were never a problem for me, anyway.

What I am not able to see is any appreciable improvement in fuel burn at altitude. If I lean to temperature (100 or 125 deg ROP), I seem to get book value fuel flow. I haven't really spent much time on this...
 
SureFly is an easy to install magneto after you've done a couple. Hot starts are better because it is a hotter, stronger spark. I've only had a couple give out early but those were earlier generation ones. I know the bigger engines will notice a better fuel burn but I haven't installed them on enough smaller engines to tell. With fewer internal movements, similar cost to a new mag and a 2000hr TBO, its a no brain decision to me. I'm waiting for my mags to need overhaul before I get one for my plane. SureFly has a list of qualified mechanics on their page to help you find someone who has done it before.
 
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Night and day difference for me. In fact, the difference between being stranded alone on an island and not having a single problem since then.
 
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Magnetos rely on RPM to generate energy. They don't develop a fully powerful spark until the engine is at full RPM. That's not true for electronic ignition - so starting is much easier.

I did have an issue with a Surefly failing when flying through rain, but I can't say enough good things about the company. They rebuilt it for free and were genuinely concerned about the issue. I miss having it while I switched to a normal mag for the rebuild. I eagerly look forward to having it back.
 
Mtns2Skies said:
Magnetos rely on RPM to generate energy. They don't develop a fully powerful spark until the engine is at full RPM. That's not true for electronic ignition - so starting is much easier.

I did have an issue with a Surefly failing when flying through rain, but I can't say enough good things about the company. They rebuilt it for free and were genuinely concerned about the issue. I miss having it while I switched to a normal mag for the rebuild. I eagerly look forward to having it back.
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They are very good about fixing whatever the issue is. Almost like they care about their customers. A concept foreign to some...
 
Aren't most hot start issues with injected engines a result of vapor in the fuel distributor or associated lines?
(wondering how better ignition is helping that)
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
Aren't most hot start issues with injected engines a result of vapor in the fuel distributor or associated lines?
(wondering how better ignition is helping that)
Click to expand...
Side note. As a carbed plane owner, I’d look forward to cold start benefits.
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
Aren't most hot start issues with injected engines a result of vapor in the fuel distributor or associated lines?
(wondering how better ignition is helping that)
Click to expand...
Not necessarily. See post 9.

Also, plugs that need to be re gapped are going to generate a weaker spark as well as put more stress on the magneto itself. But also causes timing to be retarded.

Look at Teds hot start procedure. First thing he says is to check your ignition system.
 
Dammit. I spoke to soon. Hot starts have become increasingly troublesome. What was once easy with the don't touch it hot start method is now go flooded and hope.
 
Racerx said:
Dammit. I spoke to soon. Hot starts have become increasingly troublesome. What was once easy with the don't touch it hot start method is now go flooded and hope.
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Thank you for keeping us updated. For me, this thread has led me to change the options for the engine that I have on order. I'm dropping the EIS & going back to all mags. It's not worth the frustration.
 
Kiddo's Driver said:
Thank you for keeping us updated. For me, this thread has led me to change the options for the engine that I have on order. I'm dropping the EIS & going back to all mags. It's not worth the frustration.
Click to expand...
Still have conventional mags. This might be the reason I switch to surefly.
 
Never had much of a issue with hot starts once I learned how to do it
 
decalogue said:
Never had much of a issue with hot starts once I learned how to do it
Click to expand...
I know how to hot start. Both normal method and flooded method. This is a new issue that has crept up. I suspect mag drift. Something the surefly doesn't suffer from.
 
Kiddo's Driver said:
Thank you for keeping us updated. For me, this thread has led me to change the options for the engine that I have on order. I'm dropping the EIS & going back to all mags. It's not worth the frustration.
Click to expand...
The guy with all mags is having hot start issues - so why are you switching to all mags?
 
I replaced the right mag on my DA40 with a SureFly to get the double benefit of the EIS plus the slick start enhanced left mag. Previously the right mag was grounded during start. All 8 plugs firing hotter than a conventional mag makes starting in all situations far easier. I’ve also gained 3-4 knots top speed or about 5% fuel savings at same speed. I highly recommend the SureFly.
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
Aren't most hot start issues with injected engines a result of vapor in the fuel distributor or associated lines?
(wondering how better ignition is helping that)
Click to expand...
A stronger spark can ignite farther off-stoich mixtures. But your point is valid - the mixture in the cylinders plus any bubbles in the injection lines are the things that make a hot start more difficult.
 
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