The oval bumps on the sides of the cowling are a dead giveaway. This Cessna 172 is packing a lot more horsepower than a standard 172. [Credit: Jim Stevenson]
Key Takeaways:
An engine upgrade, such as boosting a Cessna 172 to 180 hp, dramatically enhances flying performance and experience, often feeling superior to larger stock aircraft while maintaining lower operating costs.
However, performing an engine upgrade on an existing aircraft is prohibitively expensive, often costing tens of thousands of dollars (e.g., $90,000) and potentially exceeding the plane's value, with limited viable certification options.
To acquire a more powerful aircraft cost-effectively, it's advised to buy one that has already received the desired upgrade, seek out lesser-known powerful models (like a Cessna 175 with an O-360 conversion), or consider an upgrade only when replacing a damaged or timed-out engine, embodying a "buy once, cry once" philosophy.
Back when I belonged to a flying club in Ann Arbor, Michigan, it had one plane that stood out from the rest. It was N1412V, a red-and-white 1974 Cessna 172M Skyhawk. It sported an orange-and-white vinyl interior, complete with sweet chrome trim.
Majestic as the interior was, however, it was the 180 hp engine upgrade that made it everyone’s favorite.
CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT
Sign up to keep reading
Create a free account to continue. Already a member? Sign in below.
Jason McDowell is a private pilot and Cessna 170 owner based in Madison, Wisconsin. He enjoys researching obscure aviation history and serves as a judge for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association. He can be found on Instagram as @cessnateur.
