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  #1  
Old 10-11-2014, 09:38 PM
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dacronwall dacronwall is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Palo Alto,CA
Posts: 106
Default Best prop for RV-3A?

I am happy to report I have my RV3A flying now after repairing the broken motor mount and gear legs. It has a fresh IO-320(160 hp) and a 70CM Sensinich prop with 79 pitch. It's a Vans prop, but they recommend the 81 pitch for the -3.

She flys great, and climbs like heck, but this prop is limited to 2,600 rpm, my engine redlines at 2,700, and I only get about 185 mph out of it with throttle left to give and 1,000 rpm below engine max rpm.

I'm wondering if its worth spending the several hundred bucks to re-pitch my current prop to 81 or 82, or does someone have a recommendation for a new prop that will get me all the performance out of my engine? I would love to have a CS in it, but current engine and my tapped out bank account won't allow it.

Thanks
Dave
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  #2  
Old 10-11-2014, 09:50 PM
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Neal@F14 Neal@F14 is offline
 
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Location: Wichita Falls, TX
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Default

The Sensenich ground adjustable carbon fiber prop will let you turn the full 2700 rpm and custom tune the pitch for your engine and airframe. It's not cheap however, but I'm definitely very happy with mine on my RV-6.
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  #3  
Old 10-11-2014, 10:07 PM
designerX designerX is offline
 
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Posts: 147
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Is this TAS, IAS? What's the density altitude? I have the Sensenich (offhand I think is also the 70/79) and 2600 rpm restriction. Down low I too have enough throttle to exceed the rpm restriction in straight and level flight... I feel the original builder optimized my setup for covering ground at or above 8,000 ft.

What's it like at 8,000 ft on a cross country? Probably is making good time

For my -4 the prop/pitch is a good compromise.. I wouldn't want to give away any more of my static rpm for takeoff/climb. I'm sure you're a bit slicker w/the 3 and a few hundred bucks sounds like a deal if you determine you want to give the re-pitch a shot.

I'd love to try out the Sensenich GA but just haven't been able to rationalize the purchase... yet!

Congrats and have fun!

Stan
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Last edited by designerX : 10-11-2014 at 10:17 PM.
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  #4  
Old 10-12-2014, 01:07 PM
redbaron redbaron is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Lucerne,Ca
Posts: 272
Default Whirlwind props

Check out the Whirlwind props and the Kit Planes article july 2012
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  #5  
Old 10-12-2014, 01:52 PM
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Jesse Jesse is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: X35 - Ocala, FL
Posts: 3,679
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It's hard to go wrong with the Sensenich GA prop or with a Catto. Both will turn the rpm you want and both will likely be faster than your metal prop. The cheapest option would be to repitch your current prop.
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  #6  
Old 10-13-2014, 02:25 PM
highflight42x highflight42x is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Seattle
Posts: 104
Default rv3 prop?

Do you mean re-pitch a metal prop? In earlier years a number of those threw blades. Maybe they're better at it now

I've got a 2010 3-blade Catto 68dia 70pitch on my stock 0320-E2D with 7:1 pistons: 2800 RPM at WOT, 175kts true and 2400fpm climb on a good day at best altitudes (and my airframe is pretty draggy to begin with). If your mission is to fly in rain, metal is best of course. However, that 2600 RPM limit is onerous - I can't imagine having to worry about that, especially in dogfights or acro when RPM can be all over the place

I hear Catto's nickle LE is pretty good in rain. Mine's got the plastic, which doesn't wear at all in light rain throttled back to 2100 RPM or so.

- Steven
800+ RV3 hours
(two more last weekend!)
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  #7  
Old 10-14-2014, 09:06 AM
N62XS N62XS is offline
 
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Location: Hazlehurst, GA
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Default CALL CRAIG CATTO!!!

Call the Master, do what he recommends and enjoy the ride. Nothing better, nothing easier. Craig is simply the best.
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  #8  
Old 10-14-2014, 10:33 AM
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lucaperazzolli lucaperazzolli is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Trento, northern Italy
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Go Catto !

ps : I'm curious to know if a ground adjustable prop is 'friendly'.

Do you really change your pitch relating to your mission ?
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  #9  
Old 10-14-2014, 11:19 AM
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N941WR N941WR is offline
 
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Location: SC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by highflight42x View Post
...

I hear Catto's nickle LE is pretty good in rain. Mine's got the plastic, which doesn't wear at all in light rain throttled back to 2100 RPM or so.

- Steven
800+ RV3 hours
(two more last weekend!)
I have a Catto with nickle leading edges and you still want to slow down in the rain. Not because you will hurt the prop but I found out 200 MPH rain can start to take the paint off your airplane. Duh!

I now slow down to around 175 mph in the rain to save my paint.
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  #10  
Old 10-15-2014, 07:01 PM
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Gregg Brightwell Gregg Brightwell is offline
 
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Location: Benton, Kansas
Posts: 259
Default RV-3A

Can't help it.....3A - New model with nosegear? Awesome!!

Sorry - no throwing tomatoes... I know what he meant
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