I bought a flying RV6 with o-320 150hp, solid crank. It had a Sensenich metal prop on it...70CM 77 pitch. I couldn't get more than 2150rpm static. It was fast though.
Replaced prop with sterba 68x72. Now I get static 2300 or so, but barely hit 2500 in cruise at 8k DA.
It's going to be hard to compare speeds with anyone as I have 21" desser mini tundras, no wheel pants, and VGs...but I feel like if I had a prop that would spin up more, I'd get off the short strips faster, and maybe not lose much top end (if I could turn 2700+ rpm)
I could scrape the $ for a Catto...but I'd hate to do it and be bummed. Everyone talks about CS being the bomb, but $12k+ for an MT electric isn't gonna happen.
Prince claims the flexi-pitch thing, Whirlwind and Sensenich both have their GA options that would at least let me play...
I guess I'm like lots of others, I don't want to kiss $3-5k dollars away and get a "meh" difference.
Engine is low-ish time, about 700hrs. I don't particularly care to go HP pistons and stuff--I run MOgas cheap right now...if I replaced this engine, I'd still probably look at a low-comp o-360 with CS capability...but if I had $30k to dump into that I'd be looking at a different airplane!
Can I get good short field performance out of a 1094lb RV6 with 5k ft field elevation and a 150hp engine? Am I expecting too much (probably). Is GA a viable option?
Thoughts from those of you who've been there? I've read all the threads on the GA stuff, I've read SmokyRay's excellent writeups on props...I've read all the go-fast stuff, but my airplane is a lot draggier than most...
Any rock I've failed to turn over? Anything staring me in the face I can't see?
Thanks!
Replaced prop with sterba 68x72. Now I get static 2300 or so, but barely hit 2500 in cruise at 8k DA.
It's going to be hard to compare speeds with anyone as I have 21" desser mini tundras, no wheel pants, and VGs...but I feel like if I had a prop that would spin up more, I'd get off the short strips faster, and maybe not lose much top end (if I could turn 2700+ rpm)
I could scrape the $ for a Catto...but I'd hate to do it and be bummed. Everyone talks about CS being the bomb, but $12k+ for an MT electric isn't gonna happen.
Prince claims the flexi-pitch thing, Whirlwind and Sensenich both have their GA options that would at least let me play...
I guess I'm like lots of others, I don't want to kiss $3-5k dollars away and get a "meh" difference.
Engine is low-ish time, about 700hrs. I don't particularly care to go HP pistons and stuff--I run MOgas cheap right now...if I replaced this engine, I'd still probably look at a low-comp o-360 with CS capability...but if I had $30k to dump into that I'd be looking at a different airplane!
Can I get good short field performance out of a 1094lb RV6 with 5k ft field elevation and a 150hp engine? Am I expecting too much (probably). Is GA a viable option?
Thoughts from those of you who've been there? I've read all the threads on the GA stuff, I've read SmokyRay's excellent writeups on props...I've read all the go-fast stuff, but my airplane is a lot draggier than most...
Any rock I've failed to turn over? Anything staring me in the face I can't see?
Thanks!