At first glance, this looks like a good engine match for the RV4. Hopefully we will hear/see more about this installation. It appears to sit with heads on top, assuming that box on the front is the drive unit. Also, wonder if it retains the factory ECU with all the associated benefits like timing and knock control. So many questions!
I might suggest that next time use a set of chocks and tie the tail down.
I didn't use the factory ECU as it requires a code to operate from the body control computer. Custom tuning with the Microsquirt better matches the aircraft reqirements also. My cowl is complete - will show it in a later post. It appears smewhat ungainly.
Took six months to fabricate from scratch s-glass over a wood and plaster buck.
Yes - the box up front is the PSRU - cog belt driven.
A little up elevator would make me feel better.
It sounds really smooth and quiet. Is it quiet in person? What kind of powerplant is it? Are there many flying? Hats off to you for taking the challenge.
With all the extra frontal area it might be a good idea to have a smart aero guy look at stability before you commit to flight.
I didn't use the factory ECU as it requires a code to operate from the body control computer. Custom tuning with the Microsquirt better matches the aircraft reqirements also. My cowl is complete - will show it in a later post. It appears smewhat ungainly.
Took six months to fabricate from scratch s-glass over a wood and plaster buck.
Yes - the box up front is the PSRU - cog belt driven.
This design isn't my cup of tea either, but why all the snarky comments? What's wrong with experimentation and innovation in an "experimental aircraft" and on an experimental aircraft website? You guys sound like you wear helmets to bed. Sheesh!
Lee...
This design isn't my cup of tea either, but why all the snarky comments?... Lee...
Scott, I think you summarized it perfectly.Conceptually there us no reason why say a honda fit engine won?t work in an airplane. I have that car with 300,000 km over 12 yrs and the engine has never quit. It still runs as smooth as a swiss watch. It is a marvel of engineering.
Practically speaking there are probably 1000 ways to screw up the installation of said engine in an airplane. You need to know exactly what you are doing and you need to be very very careful. Cooling, ignition, gearbox resonance, lubrication, fuel delivery, mixture and on and on. It is beyond the skill level of probably many average home builders. Some if us screw up Lycoming installations. It also requires and extremely methodical and conservative approach. Clearly this guy did not gave that mind set.
There are guys who will do it, successfully, and I?m sure that it would be a really rewarding and educational experience. But it is way more difficult and more risky and more time consuming than a standard lycoming installation. If you don?t think you have the technical talent and meticulous and careful conservative mindset required please don?t do it. If you are a lifelong machinist, mechanic, fabricator and a very careful and methodical builder with a few very smart friends then I hope you do it and succeed.
Unfortunate but a good lesson for others going down this route. Glad the pilot walked away.
Having been in the auto engine conversion world for 20 years now and supplying hundreds of ECUs to this market for over 25 (not on this airplane BTW), I have assisted countless folks on tuning, cooling, fuel systems etc. in that time.
The primary causes of piston failure (and I've seen dozens of them) is running too lean and/or with too much timing. AFRs need to be in the high 10s or low 11s at high power and generally ignition timing at no more than 24-26 degrees when running on 91 mogas.
I was assisting the NTSB on an investigation a couple weeks back on a V6 Honda conversion which suffered multiple piston failure and subsequent forced landing in extremis with serious injuries to the pilot.
You need a good understanding of engines and tuning to arrive at a successful result. Unfortunately, too many folks don't possess either and rely on incorrect information from others who also don't know what they are doing.