|
-
POSTING RULES

-
Donate yearly (please).
-
Advertise in here!
-
Today's Posts
|
Insert Pics
|

07-11-2019, 09:48 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Calgary, Canada
Posts: 5,766
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by s11033
On another front, how difficult would it be for someone like me to install an SDS EM5 kit assuming I was rebuilding my own engine?
Thanks!
|
If you're wrenching on helicopters, you won't have much problem installing an EM-5 or EM-6. Pretty much a bolt on and some power and ground connections.
Maybe a turbo to go along with that to make things interesting... Get 540 performance with a 360.
|

07-11-2019, 10:01 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mojave
Posts: 4,652
|
|
The SDS EFI solution is not an issue. Arguably it's no more complex than a typical FI system, just "different". If you can read Sikorsky tech pubs, you can install SDS EFI.
Also, if you think you can hang a 540 on the nose and think you will be satisfied with the RV-8 cruise speed, try again. 4000 ft/min of climb is fun, but limiting yourself to only 200 knots in cruise gets old real fast. Trust me, I know!
__________________
WARNING! Incorrect design and/or fabrication of aircraft and/or components may result in injury or death. Information presented in this post is based on my own experience - Reader has sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for use.
Michael Robinson
______________
Harmon Rocket II -SDS EFI
RV-8 - SDS CPI
1940 Taylorcraft BL-65
1984 L39C
Last edited by Toobuilder : 07-11-2019 at 10:08 PM.
|

07-13-2019, 02:23 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 23
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rv6ejguy
If you're wrenching on helicopters, you won't have much problem installing an EM-5 or EM-6. Pretty much a bolt on and some power and ground connections.
Maybe a turbo to go along with that to make things interesting... Get 540 performance with a 360.
|
I like what I?m hearing!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Toobuilder
The SDS EFI solution is not an issue. Arguably it's no more complex than a typical FI system, just "different". If you can read Sikorsky tech pubs, you can install SDS EFI.
Also, if you think you can hang a 540 on the nose and think you will be satisfied with the RV-8 cruise speed, try again. 4000 ft/min of climb is fun, but limiting yourself to only 200 knots in cruise gets old real fast. Trust me, I know!
|
I completely believe that. Unfortunately I don?t think I think I have the time or money to build a full Rocket. My proposed plan really relies on finding a well advanced RV8 wing and empennage, and hiring some help for the fuselage. I think the ideal outcome would be an F8 with an EFII O-360. I was just wondering about the O-540 because I seem to see a good number of them out there.
Separately, any input on what parts need to be yellow tagged? I assume crank case, driveshaft, camshaft, cylinders, connecting rods and pistons?
|

07-13-2019, 06:37 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mojave
Posts: 4,652
|
|
You might get lucky. A neighbor recently purchased a nicely done HR-2 project that was 99% knocked together (it was even painted) for about $10k, and combined that with a low time 540 from a ground damaged Aztec for $12k. Admittedly, you don't find deals like this advertised, but they do exist.
__________________
WARNING! Incorrect design and/or fabrication of aircraft and/or components may result in injury or death. Information presented in this post is based on my own experience - Reader has sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for use.
Michael Robinson
______________
Harmon Rocket II -SDS EFI
RV-8 - SDS CPI
1940 Taylorcraft BL-65
1984 L39C
|

07-13-2019, 11:18 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 23
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Toobuilder
You might get lucky. A neighbor recently purchased a nicely done HR-2 project that was 99% knocked together (it was even painted) for about $10k, and combined that with a low time 540 from a ground damaged Aztec for $12k. Admittedly, you don't find deals like this advertised, but they do exist.
|
That?s unreal... I don?t feel that I have the level of connections that I?d need to find that kind of deal 
|

07-15-2019, 05:30 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 23
|
|
Hey guys,
On the subject of timing my build/purchase, would it make sense for me to wait for what I believe is an impending market crash / recessionary environment? I guess what I’m really asking is whether economic macros affect prices of flying kitplanes, partially completed projects, engines, etc.
If I could just buy a flying rocket, that would be the ideal scenario. But I don’t think I could do that at current market prices. Not sure how much they can be expected to fluctuate with the broader economy.
Thanks!
Last edited by s11033 : 07-15-2019 at 05:34 PM.
|

07-15-2019, 05:54 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mojave
Posts: 4,652
|
|
This is, has been and looks to continue to be a "buyers market". This IS the crash you are looking for. Despite the high end dreamers you see on BS and TaP, Rockets are not mainstream and their "selling" prices reflect that. Squirrel away $100k and you will have a broad selection when the time comes.
__________________
WARNING! Incorrect design and/or fabrication of aircraft and/or components may result in injury or death. Information presented in this post is based on my own experience - Reader has sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for use.
Michael Robinson
______________
Harmon Rocket II -SDS EFI
RV-8 - SDS CPI
1940 Taylorcraft BL-65
1984 L39C
|

07-15-2019, 10:27 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 23
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Toobuilder
This is, has been and looks to continue to be a "buyers market". This IS the crash you are looking for. Despite the high end dreamers you see on BS and TaP, Rockets are not mainstream and their "selling" prices reflect that. Squirrel away $100k and you will have a broad selection when the time comes.
|
Got it, thanks a lot. I haven?t kept up with the market at all.
I?ll have to price that against building a super F8 or a full on F1. I keep coming across cheap IO-540s that make me salivate...
Steve
|

07-16-2019, 03:47 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sunman, IN
Posts: 2,189
|
|
Wisdom
?...if it seems too good to be true, it probably is...?
__________________
Bob
Aerospace Engineer '88
RV-10
Structure - 90% Done
Cabin Top - Aaarrghhh...
EFII System 32 - Done
297 HP Barrett Hung
ShowPlanes Cowl with Skybolts Fitted - Beautiful
Wiring...
Dues+ Paid 2019,...Thanks DR+
|

07-16-2019, 05:25 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Taylor Texas
Posts: 811
|
|
Engines
Don?t limit yourself to the 540 - the 550N can also be used. 310HP out of the box, and very smooth with better fuel specifics.
__________________
Best,
Mark
"Not everyone needs a Rocket. Some folks, however, shouldn't live life without one.
You know who you are."
Budd Davisson, 1997
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:18 AM.
|