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  #1  
Old 12-08-2013, 08:11 AM
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flytoboat flytoboat is offline
 
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Location: Collinsville, IL
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Default Fuel injection or electronic ignition

RV-6A with 0-320 E2D. If you only had the money for one or the other, which would you choose (and why)? Fuel injection or P-mags? Looking for the most bang for the buck.
Thanks for your thoughts.
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  #2  
Old 12-08-2013, 08:16 AM
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Capflyer Capflyer is offline
 
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Electronic ignition. Adds a few extra hp and adds more to fuel efficiecy. Also is less expensive than mags over the long term. FI is a "nice to have" item but I don't miss it.
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  #3  
Old 12-08-2013, 09:25 AM
FlyArmy FlyArmy is offline
 
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Location: AZ
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I am planning on starting with the EFII electronic ignition then adding the EFII electronic FI at a later time depending on how LOP ops and efficiency works out with just the electronic ignition. EI, IMO, is way more bang for the buck and easier to install, but the whole EFII system looks great. Hopefully we get a few more pireps on it in the next 6 months.
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  #4  
Old 12-08-2013, 09:37 AM
Kyle Boatright Kyle Boatright is offline
 
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Location: Atlanta, GA
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I've never played with FI, but my sense is that a carb to FI retrofit is a more involved process than switching from magnetos to (say) Pmag's. If my assumption is correct, I'd go with FI initially, then upgrade ignition systems down the road...
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  #5  
Old 12-08-2013, 09:44 AM
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Toobuilder Toobuilder is offline
 
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Electronic ignition is quickly becoming a "must have" because it benefits every aspect of the engine operating envelope from start, idle, cruise, and power. Fuel injection is nice, but really only outshines a carb in cruise efficiency or aerobatics. My vote: Ignition first, then look at injection.
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  #6  
Old 12-08-2013, 12:29 PM
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Location: Sydney, Australia
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FI upgrade is going to be more expensive and a time consuming job.

Apart from the engine upgrade kit consider the fuel pump upgrades, both mechanical and electric, the cowling and FAB modification if you choose the Silverhawk system due to the extra length of the servo versus carb (approx 7/8") - I don't know the length of the AP servo so cannot comment. Other bits and pieces include the sniffle valve and throttle & mixture linkage modifications.

If you look carefully at the Lycoming Operators manual and compare the HP between the O and IO versions the carbureted engine give the same HP at about 1/2" less manifold pressure than the FI equivalent. This gives me some comfort in staying with the carb.
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  #7  
Old 12-08-2013, 02:09 PM
dealfair dealfair is offline
 
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Location: George West, TX
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Ditto Mike & Michael on the EI. You won't regret it IMO.
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  #8  
Old 12-08-2013, 02:24 PM
turbosaaber turbosaaber is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: boynton beach fl
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Default FI

I would think about doing what would be more difficult to build now because when you start flying, taking the airplane down to do upgrades is like going to the dentist. I would do the fuel injection and wire the pmags so when you decide to upgrade your conventional magnetos you can just plug them and go fly quickly. Just a thought. I have both and I must say the PMAGs are incredible with outstanding service.
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  #9  
Old 12-08-2013, 02:34 PM
penguin penguin is offline
 
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Location: England
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Assuming you are flying I agree with all the above - Electronic Ignition no question as it is much easier to install. P-mags are the most straight forward, but even if you go with Lightspeed (or another) it isn't that difficult.

Installing Fuel Injection will mean a new cowl scoop as the injector is longer than the carb (or other cowl surgery), probably a new fuel pressure gauge (or at least a transducer), new piping and a whole lot more. It is also more expensive by at least $1K.

Both will produce around the same benefit in fuel savings terms, but EI will give a small gain in top end performance, especially up high.

Pete
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  #10  
Old 12-08-2013, 02:44 PM
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RV10inOz RV10inOz is offline
 
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Fuel injected for sure.
To operate at great efficiency requires the Fuel/Air ratios to be even. That can be achieved with injection, no Pmag can help that.

Sure we can get carb engines LOP, but best bang for buck will be an IO320. They are great engines made awesome by adding the I.
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