RV-14 vs. RV-7/RV-8

[kamikaze]

I've got a spreadsheet that just adds all the known costs configured per van's baseline, and sold by van's for a SB -14A : airframe kits, crating, options, engine, prop, FWF, finishing, etc. I used the avionics costs of the RV-12 package as a reference ... I'm at 104 400$US.

This does NOT include: Tooling, paint, interior (seats and such), shipping, other options van's sells separately that you might want, paying for mistakes you'll surely make along the way, sales taxes where applicable, etc.

So if you stick to the "baseline" (IO-390, same prop, etc.), you can probably do less than 140K$ but not that much less in reality ... maybe 120-130.

If you want to work hard at doing it cheaper, you can experiment with engine/prop combination, etc. do your avionics entirely yourself, and so on ... how much this will save you is tough to estimate ... saving in one spot can cost you more elsewhere ...

For reference a -9A costed with the same methodology using the most affordable basic options (carburateted 320, FP prop, etc.) is ~30K$ less (75K).

[rvbuilder2002]

The point that many of the experienced builders have been trying to make in this thread is that you can make the cost comparison between an RV-7 and RV-14 look as close or as far apart as you want it to be but the following is true.......

A paint job will cost about the same on both (assuming you chose the same finish level on both)

Interior upholstery will cost about the same on both. (assuming you chose the same finish level on both)

The instrument panel will cost about the same on both (assuming you would choose the same equipment and capabilities regardless of which you built).

The engine and prop would cost the same in both, if for comparison you chose a 200 HP engine for either airplane.

So that would mean a total cost difference delta of 11-12K. If you want to factor in that you would be satisfied with a 180 HP in an RV-7 (which can't be used in an RV-14) then that raises the cost delta to about 20-21K (the 180 HP IO-360 is 9K cheaper than the IO-390)

There are some parts included in the standard RV-14 kit that are not included in the RV-7 kit (that is the reason for the non exact 11 - 12K cost difference estimate).

[rv7charlie]

Scott,

What keeps the 360/180 from being used in the -14? Is it a CG problem, eliminating the pork of an angle valve engine/heavy prop?

Charlie
(I guess this isn't that big of a drift; it addresses build cost.)

[tjo]

Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002

The engine and prop would cost the same in both, if for comparison you chose a 200 HP engine for either airplane.

So that would mean a total cost difference delta of 11-12K. If you want to factor in that you would be satisfied with a 180 HP in an RV-7 (which can't be used in an RV-14) then that raises the cost delta to about 20-21K (the 180 HP IO-360 is 9K cheaper than the IO-390)

This is my point as well. If you are talking similar performance (an angle valve in a 7/8 is different performance from an angle valve in a 14. The performance alignment is an angle valve in a 14 to a parallel valve in a 7/8)

So in the end, whatever your build target "level", a 14 will be $20K more than a 7/8 with similar build and performance level.

Tim

[rvbuilder2002]

Originally Posted by rv7charlie

Scott,

What keeps the 360/180 from being used in the -14? Is it a CG problem, eliminating the pork of an angle valve engine/heavy prop?

Charlie
(I guess this isn't that big of a drift; it addresses build cost.)

Yes

The RV-14 was specifically designed with the heavier angle valve engine in mind. It is enough of a difference that compensating for a parallel valve engine would be difficult.

[woodmanrog]

Here we go. MJ and I now have all of the parts to finish our Cadillac RV14A. Our costs are bumping up on $150K without paint. Mind you we wanted all of the bells and whistles of a full IFR, as low maintenance an airplane as possible. I do believe that you could build a nice 14 for around 100K.

[BenNabors]

The Vans website has update their cost estimator, http://vansaircraft.com/public/cost-estimator.htm. Looks like they have recently added the RV-14. I found it useful to know what the cost drivers would be. Suggest focus on the individual components within the cost estimator based on the mission, then you can compare apples to apples and know where the drivers are.