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05-08-2020, 04:56 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Dayton Ohio
Posts: 6
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Engine and avionics from my Tri-Pacer
First time post. I own a 57 Tri-Pacer with a 500 SMOH 0320, Stratus ADSB, Dual G5's, Garmin GNC 355 and Aerospace Logic Fuel and Voltmeter. It's a 125MPH Plane at 9gph
I am totally enjoying it now but my wife and I really like to travel and that is its primary use. Will want something faster.
I had a thought of building a 9A over the next 2 years while we continue to enjoy the Tri-Pacer and then use the 0320 and avionics for the Vans.
Is this possible/practical?

Last edited by davidschmaus : 05-08-2020 at 04:59 PM.
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05-08-2020, 05:04 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,768
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Using the engine and avionics will work fine. The prop will probably not be practical because of the speed range of the RV.
__________________
Mel Asberry, DAR since the last century.
EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1
Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
<rvmel(at)icloud.com>
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05-08-2020, 05:26 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 534
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That’s such a beautiful Tri-Pacer that I would hate to see you strip it down. Why don’t you sell it and use the proceeds to fund a new engine and avionics? You can finance the build and then reduce the borrowing once you’ve sold your older plane.
And frankly I would build the RV14A (Quick build). It’s roomier and I suspect a little faster. It’s also a faster and easier build from what I hear.
__________________
Jim Harris, ATP, T38, EC/KC-135A/E/R, 2008 RV7A, 2nd owner, N523RM (2015)
Superior XPIO-360, Hartzel CS prop, Aerotronics panel with Dual GRT Horizon WS, EIS, Garmin 340, 335 w/WAAS gps, Dual 430s (non-WAAS), TruTrak 385 A/P with auto-level, Electric trim, Tosten 6 button Military Grips, FlightBox wired to WS, Dynon D10A w/battery backup, 406 MHz ELT. Custom Interior, New TS Flightline hoses, Great POH!
Retired - Living the dream - going broke!
Last edited by Tankerpilot75 : 05-08-2020 at 05:31 PM.
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05-08-2020, 05:29 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Dayton Ohio
Posts: 6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tankerpilot75
That?s such a beautiful Tri-Pacer that I would hate to see you strip it down. Why don?t you sell it and use the proceeds to fund a new engine and avionics?
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Thank you! That was the original plan and still might be the route I go.
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05-08-2020, 06:02 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 12,887
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tankerpilot75
That?s such a beautiful Tri-Pacer that I would hate to see you strip it down. Why don?t you sell it and use the proceeds to fund a new engine and avionics? You can finance the build and then reduce the borrowing once you?ve sold your older plane.
And frankly I would build the RV14A (Quick build). It?s roomier and I suspect a little faster. It?s also a faster and easier build from what I hear.
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I agree, sell the PA22 and put the money towards your -9A.
While the 14A is quicker to build and roomier, it may not be any faster. What it is, is a LOT more expensive to build! Figure close to $150K for the 14A where as the -9A will cost right around $100K, less if you can find some good deals on the engine, instruments, etc.
__________________
Bill R.
RV-9 (Yes, it's a dragon tail)
O-360 w/ dual P-mags
Build the plane you want, not the plane others want you to build!
SC86 - Easley, SC
www.repucci.com/bill/baf.html
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05-08-2020, 06:08 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Dayton Ohio
Posts: 6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N941WR
I agree, sell the PA22 and put the money towards your -9A.
While the 14A is quicker to build and roomier, it may not be any faster. What it is, is a LOT more expensive to build! Figure close to $150K for the 14A where as the -9A will cost right around $100K, less if you can find some good deals on the engine, instruments, etc.
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The 14 is really nice but that is exactly my thought. I was thinking more like 170K for a IFR 14A.
I have a free engine and avionics already. 
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05-08-2020, 06:57 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 1,558
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That is an awesome looking Tripacer. It seems like it would be worth more as is than the value of it?s avionics (much lower in a couple years when you have finished your new RV7 and want new modern stuff), and the airframe stripped of its non-standard panel. Somebody buying that stripped tripacer would have to find some now outdated avionics to replace the (now outdated) avionics that you removed. If you decide to build a plane, don?t buy any avionics until it?s almost ready to fly. Something better/cheaper will come along before you are ready to fly your new kit plane. If you can afford to do this, then more power to you, but from an out of pocket cost point of view, it?s pretty hard to beat that upgraded Tripacer you have. Do the math on the time difference on your typical trip and then consider the value of the time spent enroute.
I know the RV is a wonderful airplane, but measure the time value of the extra $70K+ you will have to spend. I don?t count the 1500-2000 hours of labor you will have to provide because it is an enjoyable learning experience for most of us. After owning the RV7 for a few years, you can still probably sell it for the cost of the parts you paid to build it. Labor will have to be its own reward.
Good luck with your choice. The Tripacer is a milk stool, but yours might be the nicest milk stool I have ever seen.
__________________
SH
RV6/2001 built/sold 2005
RV8 Fastback/2008 built/sold 2015
RV4/bought 2016/sold/2017
RV8/2018 built/Sold(sadly)
RV4/bought 2019 Flying
Cincinnati, OH/KHAO
JAN2020
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05-08-2020, 07:03 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 4,435
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I suspect that when you get closer to needing to install avionics, that you'd then prefer to get the new stuff.
While the engine might be fine for an RV, the baffles, air box, exhaust, etc., might not be. Worth checking out as they all add up.
Sure, the performance and ease of building a -14a is better than a -9a, but the cost is way, way higher. I'd rather have the -9a as being a more straightforward thing to get at this stage. Also considerably more efficient.
What would you do with the stripped Tri Pacer? You've got a nice one. Why not keep it and you'd have something to fly while you're building, then sell it and buy an engine and avionics. The cost might not differ by much and a good Tri Pacer will still be around.
Dave
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05-08-2020, 08:01 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 1,558
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I?ve seen your Tripacer before. Don?t know if it was at Lee Bottom or Morraine - second pic? But it?s a nice one.
__________________
SH
RV6/2001 built/sold 2005
RV8 Fastback/2008 built/sold 2015
RV4/bought 2016/sold/2017
RV8/2018 built/Sold(sadly)
RV4/bought 2019 Flying
Cincinnati, OH/KHAO
JAN2020
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05-08-2020, 08:12 PM
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Senior Curmudgeon
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
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Welcome to VAF
Quote:
Originally Posted by davidschmaus
First time post.
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David, welcome aboard the good ship VAF
Quote:
Originally Posted by davidschmaus
I had a thought of building a 9A over the next 2 years while we continue to enjoy the Tri-Pacer and then use the 0320 and avionics for the Vans.
Is this possible/practical?
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Possible, sure. Practical-----that is the real question. Practical is pretty much a subjective thing for each person.
How about building the 9a over the next couple years, then sell the milk stool and use the proceeds toward the engine and panel?? Methinks a flying plane will be worth more that the value of a used engine and avionics for the RV plus the $$ you can get for a hulk that has been picked over.
Just my $0.02
 [/quote]
__________________
Mike Starkey
VAF 909
Rv-10, N210LM.
Flying as of 12/4/2010
Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011 
Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.
"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
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