Questions about Superior vs. Lycoming engines?

[DMD3.]

I’ve often read about Superior engines being ‘Lycoming clones’, only they’re supposed to be better. For those familiar with these engines, would you say this is true? Would you recommend choosing a Superior engine over the certified Lycoming? Secondly, if I bought an experimental equipped with a Superior and took it to an A&P (be it an oil change or some other kind or work/repairs), would they know how to work on it being a ‘Lycoming clone’? Thirdly, if I buy an aircraft equipped with a certified Lycoming and wanted to replace with a Superior (Lyc O-320 would be replaced with an XP-320, a Lyc O-360 will an XP-320, etc.), is it pretty straightforward and do they have the same motor mounts, etc? Lastly, is Superior any more or less expensive than Lycoming? On the Superior website, you can buy them cheaper if you’re willing to put the engine together yourself, but they didn’t list the price of a fully built engine.

In my case, I’d buy a Vans RV, and there are a lot of RVs equipped with these engines, but I don’t have much mechanical aptitude and therefore will have an A&P perform maintenance , so I want to know if it’s a good idea or not to have this engine.

 

[Bell206]

I’ve often read about Superior engines being ‘Lycoming clones’, only they’re supposed to be better. For those familiar with these engines, would you say this is true?

I think that is more subjective to the person. From a mx stand point it wouldnt matter to me. However, Superior tends to have quicker service, better prices with better availability, in general.

Would you recommend choosing a Superior engine over the certified Lycoming?

No opinion.

would they know how to work on it being a ‘Lycoming clone’?

Yes. Technically "Lycoming clone" has no meaning on the mx side.

is it pretty straightforward and do they have the same motor mounts, etc?

No idea. But I think that would more a RV question to ask.

Lastly, is Superior any more or less expensive than Lycoming?

On the aftermarket cylinder side. Super tends to have the better prices and lead times.

 

[Clip4]

Superior cylinders are not as good as Lycoming.

 

[ateamer]

I had a Lyclone Aero Sport Power O-360 in our RV-8A. Lycoming parts were fully interchangeable. It used a Lycoming case, so the engine mounts were the same. Our A&P/IA didn’t know it wasn’t technically a Lycoming until I told him.