Question (about Bartone and Benham exhaust)

[Lee]

Still "enjoying" my annual ... question: Currently, are either the Bartone or Benham exhaust modifications still available? Thanks ... Lee (N1967C)

[GAHorn]

At last report, yes. You can find John D. Benham and Pat (and Sybil) Bartone in the Membership Directory.

[cessna170bdriver]

The last I heard (last summer) John Benham's exhaust has an STC, but Pat Bartone's will require a field approval. I personally like the looks of the Bartone system over the Benham, but went with the Benham to reduce the approval headaches. I have 70 hours on my system so far and I'm happy with it.

Miles

[pojawis]

Mr. Miles:

Do you have a picture of this "cowled-up"? If so, would you post it?

[Lee]

Thanks, Guys ... the annual "experience" is somewhat amusing ... I keep finding things I want to do to the airplane ... the exhaust is something I have considered. Why not?! Regards, Lee

PS How do you post pix to the forum and/or put them underneath our member "from" box?

[cessna170bdriver]

Mr. Miles:

Do you have a picture of this "cowled-up"? If so, would you post it?

The picture below was the best I could do from my online collection. I think I have some closer shots on my computer at home that will better show the line of the pipes.

For comparison purposes, check out this thread for some pictures of the Bartone installaton, (alas, couldn’t find any that were cowled up): http://cessna170.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... 11&start=0

Miles

[blueldr]

Miles,

Was the above picture taken at Columbia?

[cessna170bdriver]

Sorry pojawis, but all of my other pictures with the Benham exhaust are also sans cowling. The one above is the best I have with the cowling on. I'll try to remember to get a better shot the next time I'm at the airport with the camera.

Miles,

Was the above picture taken at Columbia?

Very observant, Dick! That's toward the west end of the campground. You were there that day also:

[blueldr]

Ah yes!

That's it all right. I can see he name on the boot cowl. "The Silver Pig".

Unfortunately for poor old "Porky", I rendered him "Hors de Combat" and he now lays sick and broken in the hangar. That's two of the diminishing supply of C-170Bs for me. Subsequently,I'm beginning to think maybe I'd better quit this game before I bust my own butt too. I'm seriously considering an "As Is" sale of both of them, primarily because of my inability to effectively do my own work any longer. What with carpal tunnel, arthritis, semi limited mobility, and just plain old age, it just isn't that much fun any more.

[N170CT]

Yeah, Blu-elder, but ain't nothing wrong with your wit . I truly hope you continue to entertain us with your sage comments. You are the one who introduced me and so many others to the aviation departments in Pep Boys and K-Mart . BTW, what happened to your second 170???
chuck

[1SeventyZ]

Is there a performance advantage to these aftermarket exhausts? Or are they just less expensive alternatives to the original?

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

I don't know what the original idea was behind the modification but it might have been an attempt at cleaning up the cowl reducing drag and increasing speed.

I've heard just as many people who have them say it does (2 or 3 mph) as say it doesn't

It won't decrease the cost in fact probably will cost more depending on if you buy the parts made from Bartone or make them yourself and whether you buy the STC, and the parts from Benhem.

Most say it changes the sound of the exhaust and some say it's more pleasing from the cockpit.

Some people just like the way the pipes exit at the firewall rather than the fangs out the cowl which tends to fowl the cowl with exhaust stain.

And last but maybe not least some people find the cowl is more easily removed and installed since there is no exhaust pipes to line up in the cowl.

I kind of like them and may do it someday when I feel like burning some cash and run out of other projects.

[trake]

Is there a performance advantage to these aftermarket exhausts? Or are they just less expensive alternatives to the original?

Definitely not less expensive. No measurable performance gains Im told. Maybe slightly better engine cooling. Its mostly for looks I guess. I wouldnt bother but thats just MHO

[jrenwick]

They definitely look faster!

[cfiatzph]

Pat Bartone was a neighbor of my family and I at a fly-inn community. According to what I remember he made the pipes because it lowered the DB's in the cockpit signifcantly. I think it is better then straight pipes myself, and it does help put the cowling on. I think if my memory serves me correctly (its been at least 5 years) that he took measurements and the sound in the cabin and it was lower. I think he mentioned it had something to do with burbling of the exhaust coming out of the cowling and circulating around the firewall to gear box area creating noise underneath. (correct me if I'm wrong). To me the C-170 is still one of the loudest aircraft I have ever flown. (except for the older 172's with the same pipes as the 170) (I have flown at least 40, the new 172's are the quietest)