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  #1  
Old 08-22-2008, 07:32 AM
JDRhodes JDRhodes is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Taylorsville, GA
Posts: 748
Default Low powered RV-4

Just curious - and I don't what to start a horsepower debate - But...

How would a low powered RV-4 do? And has anybody had any experience? Just thinking that to create a fun, putt-around airplane and economical local hamburger getter, an RV-4 with a C-90? or O-200? would be cool.

I know that it would not climb 1000 fpm, and probably wouldn't cruise more than 120 or so. That's not the point. Think low and slow. What could you expect from <100HP?

If you think a Cessna-150 Aerobat is fun - a light, simple C-90 RV-4 would be a blast!
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RV-9, 7 - going fast
BC-12D - going slow
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  #2  
Old 08-22-2008, 07:57 AM
whifof100ll whifof100ll is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Mandeville, Louisiana
Posts: 179
Default 1/2 throttle

Get a 150HP RV-4 and just push the lever in 1/2 way. It will do pretty well, be economical to run, be WAY more fun to fly than a 150 anything, and be much more reliable than a C90.
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RV-6 Flying, XPIO360 Catto 3bld AFS3500EE
'68' C177
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  #3  
Old 08-22-2008, 08:02 AM
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Geico266 Geico266 is offline
 
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Location: Huskerland, USA
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Default

I have a -3 with an 0-235 (108 HP @ 2,800 RPM) burns 4.4 GPH and I do about 150 MPH. I think if that is what you want to build go for it.

Performace is limited due to a cruise prop, but once it gets going the fun factor is just fine.
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  #4  
Old 08-22-2008, 08:04 AM
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Ron Lee Ron Lee is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,275
Default Exactly Dale

If you build one with a C90 your resale is zero in my opinion. You could buy/build one with an O360 and keep fuel costs way down just by throttling back. Then when you need power you have it.
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  #5  
Old 08-22-2008, 08:17 AM
JDRhodes JDRhodes is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Taylorsville, GA
Posts: 748
Default throttle back

I new that was coming!

1) NOBODY would have the self control to run around at 1/2 throttle.
2) This is an excercise in what would happen and has anybody done it. Up to the builder to decide if it's worthwhile or not.
3) Re-sale - who cares?
4) C-90 with minimal accessories (no gyro, elect, handprop) looks like it would weigh 100 lbs less than a typical O-320 installation (with all that stuff). CG issues, I know. Might need a long mount.

These are expirimentals. OK to experiment. I just like noodle out the concepts. I'm not building one.
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  #6  
Old 08-22-2008, 08:39 AM
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RVjim RVjim is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Southern California
Posts: 196
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Geico266 View Post
I have a -3 with an 0-235 (108 HP @ 2,800 RPM) burns 4.4 GPH and I do about 150 MPH. I think if that is what you want to build go for it.

Performace is limited due to a cruise prop, but once it gets going the fun factor is just fine.
Bob Each is building a RV-4. He hasn't decided on an engine yet. It's between a Cont. O-200 or a Lyc. 235. Bob is concerned that the Lyc. 235 will have to much power.

We refer to his RV-4 as a LSA-4, or sometimes as a Harmon Rocket 1/2. Bob is concerned about the 120 knot restriction for an LSA.

Regards,
Jim Ayers
Modified RV-4/Harmon Rocket 2 Lyc. IO-540 engine & MT 4 blade propeller

PS The third plane being built in my hangar is Mark Swaney's F-1 Rocket with a Lyc. IO-540 engine with a 4 blade MT propeller.
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  #7  
Old 08-22-2008, 08:52 AM
JDRhodes JDRhodes is offline
 
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Location: Taylorsville, GA
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Default

Put on a climb prop, and a J-3 cub style open cylinder cowl! That'll help slow it down. And look pretty different.
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RV-9, 7 - going fast
BC-12D - going slow
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  #8  
Old 08-22-2008, 01:10 PM
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N941WR N941WR is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 12,887
Default

Jeff,

I understand what you are thinking about.

Having spent a number of years racing Miatas it was always fun to talk to Vette guys because they would talk about HP. The Miata guys would talk about weight and suspension.

Depending on the course, sometimes the Miata would just smoke the high HP Vettes. And contrary to what most people think, the short courses favored the Vettes but if the course was set up so the Miatas never had to slow down, the Vettes owners would be crying.

Just remember, and this applies to airplanes doing acro, the secrete to going fast is never slowing down.

PS. and build the -4 with an open cockpit option!
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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!
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  #9  
Old 08-22-2008, 04:55 PM
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rvbuilder2002 rvbuilder2002 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JDRhodes View Post
I new that was coming!

1) NOBODY would have the self control to run around at 1/2 throttle.
I guess I should start believing what every one is always telling me...I really am a nobody!

I fly around at low power all the time (I do use full power for takeoff though).

When fun flying in our local area with my kids, we are in no hurry to get to nowhere so we cruise our 180 HP RV-6A at 5 - 5.5 GPH.
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  #10  
Old 08-22-2008, 05:20 PM
allbee allbee is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: spokane, wa
Posts: 805
Default

I say go for it. In my kitfox I slow it down all the time to about 80mph, sometimes slower. Very fun to weave in and out of trees in the boonies, we have that here. I go into the mountains all the time and fly through the channels, very fun also. Don't know if I want to do those things with the RV, can't see straight down, no I don't think so. That's why I'm keeping the kitfox.
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