Does anyone know the difference between the Continental GTSIO-520-N used in the 421C compared with the GTSIO-520-S offered in the Tecnam P2012?

Why would Tecnam offer two power plants rated at the same horsepower?
The obvious one is lower noise levels offered by the GTSIO.
Based on their spec page the GTSIO also offers less takeoff run/distance and less landing run and distance.

https://tecnam.com/aircraft/p2012-traveller/

Maybe someone could produce STC for a -S into the 421?
Or this offering will improve crankshaft and case availability?


Tecnams reasoning for the GTSIO offering:

“Adding an engine option such as the Continental 520 series, offers new opportunities to operators to tailor their P2012 fleet according to their peculiar heritage, missions and needs.” Said Giovanni Pascale, Tecnam’s Managing Director.

“The GTSIO-520-S option widens the Traveller and Sentinel engine choice offering a traditional alternative for all those pilots and operators that are affectionate to conventional throttles, propeller levers, and mixture controls, for an intuitive and established piston engine feel.” Said Francesco Sferra, Tecnam’s P2012 Sales and Business Development Manager and Experimental Test Pilot.

I heard the other day someone is interested in doing this...

I tried to look up the TCDS, but the FAA revamped that portion of their website and I couldn't find it. It looks like a mess to me.

The engine is the same as the L. The S is for different configurations of accessories and exhaust so it fits in the new airframe.

The good news is that it insures parts availability for the GTISO520 SERIES.

The biggest benefit may be continued availability of starter adapter and balancer parts.

I am hearing the new generation Lycoming engines have had poor reliability in service. And factory support has not done well.

But there are not a lot of piston options to make the required horsepower within noise and weight limits.

Capeair made things work with Continentals for many years. It will be interesting to see if they take any new airplanes with the Geared Continentals also.

It appears the -S is still in process for FAA. The FAA TCDS is E7CE. EASA has released No. IM.E.248 TCDS with the -S certification Nov 8, 2022.

EASA stated the -S is 52.28” in length vs the -L and -N are 60.84”
The -S is 619lb vs 593lb for the -N and 583lb for the -L
Then there are subtle differences in MP for various configurations.

Good point on the starter adapter and the balancer bits.
Thx