I wonder if the motor mount gear legs would have lower aerodynamic drag than the flat spring gear on our stock RV-8s? The intersection drag of the upper gear leg near the leading edge of the wing and all that?

So it might be a good idea.
I always thought mounting the gear to the wing spar, like a Radial Rocket would give a wider tread, better landing and less drag. Look cool too.

As a mod to an RV-8A, you wouldn't have to change the engine mount, or anything in the fuselage, fire wall or cowl. The redesign would all be in the wings with structure added inside the envelope, The hard work being the design.
I did see a local RV-4 with 200 Horse IO-360 and retracts. I belive the fuel tanks were moved outboard, and the inboard leading edge of the wing was angled forward to make room for the tire in retraction. (ahead of the spar)
An RV-8A would be a good start kit for a retract. What would you call that? An RV-8R

But I just stayed with the original plans so I could actually get 'er done!

__________________
Scott Emery
http://gallery.eaa326.org/v/members/semery/
EAA 668340, chapter 326 & IAC chapter 67
RV-8 N89SE first flight 12/26/2013
Yak55M, and the wife has an RV-4
There is
nothing-absolute nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing around with
Aeroplanes
(with apologies to Ratty)
2019