RV10 Cold Air Induction - Showplanes Cowl

[RyanWhite]

Anyone running Showplanes Cowl w/ cold air induction? Is it worth it? What prop - how about some real world numbers? I know - every plane is different and the rigging has a lot to do with speed. The big question is it worth it to do the showplanes cowl w/ CAI?

The mission is cross country so performance and efficiency is the name of the game.

[Richard Connell]

Hartzell 3 blade, 9:1, CAS, 1 Surefly, 1 Slick Mag Showplanes Cowl.

KTAS 177 @9000 12.5GPH ROP 2300/24.5 is my Fast cruise

KTAS 165 @9000 10.5GPH LOP 2300/24.5 economy cruise.

It'll go faster but I haven't done much real flat out flying so not a lot of data.

Thats mid weight, say two people and bags, full fuel. Its reliably 1-2 quicker solo and half tanks, and 1-2 slower at gross.

I gave a lot of thought to minimising drag.
I have a plenum
tight cowl/spinner gap (1/8)
two blade antennas - one a combined com/gps, nothing else external.

I'd assumed the 3blade would cost me performance, but Im comfortably seeing book numbers - if not slightly better - so I'm happy.

climb performance - especially light - is remarkable. Leaves my RV7 for dead.

[rocketman1988]

Barrett IO-540, 9:1, CAI, EFII, MTV-9-B prop, ShowPlanes Cowl and Induction.

I do not have a plenum.

174 KTAS, WOT, 2450 rpm, 11.6 gph, LOP @ 8500'

[KatanaPilot]

Slightly off-topic, but if you are planning to install air conditioning - you might consider a different cowling. The Y induction inlet on the Showplanes cowl is a PITA with an engine mounted compressor. Major modifications to the left side intake tube and the heater ducts are required.

If you are considering A/C, I would investigate the James cowl and a 2" extended hub prop. If the James cowl cooling issues have been resolved and the cowl is long enough to handle the 2" extension - it might be a much better (easier to install) choice. Personally, I like the finished look of the James cowl better and wish it had been available when I did mine.

[RyanWhite]

So I'm not planning on AC thats why I'm toying around with the idea of Showplanes cowl. Really trying to determine if there is a performance increase with cold air induction and if its worth the extra work.

Maybe a better question for those that have done it - would you do it again?

[Carl Froehlich]

I ordered my Cold Air Induction IO-540 from Thunderbolt over 2 1/2 years ago. Still waiting. If you want to go down this road I suggest getting your order in now.

On the first RV-10 I used the James Cowl with the then standard vertical injection IO-540. I was happy with the result. On the new RV-10 I engaged Jimmy at James Cowl to modify the previous RV-10 offering to accommodate the Cold Air Sump engine. That cowl, along with plenum and James wheel pants have been sitting in the hangar for over six months now.

Carl

[scsmith]

Originally Posted by Richard Connell

KTAS 177 @9000 12.5GPH ROP 2300/24.5 is my Fast cruise

KTAS 165 @9000 10.5GPH LOP 2300/24.5 economy cruise.

Do you mean to say that you get 24.5" Hg manifold pressure at 9000' at 165 KTAS and 177 KTAS?

I'm skeptical.

[bjdecker]

Originally Posted by scsmith

Do you mean to say that you get 24.5" Hg manifold pressure at 9000' at 165 KTAS and 177 KTAS?

I'm skeptical.

Remember the Aussie conversion factor...

[Richard Connell]

Originally Posted by scsmith

Do you mean to say that you get 24.5" Hg manifold pressure at 9000' at 165 KTAS and 177 KTAS?

I'm skeptical.

https://apps.savvyaviation.com/fligh...7-2ed45a15069a

I have no reason to doubt the instrumentation. Standard Garmin setup.
MAP off the rear of #5

To be fair this was a high QNH day (30.45) so the pressure alt was 8500.

[Richard Connell]

Originally Posted by bjdecker

Remember the Aussie conversion factor...

That’s not a knife….

While I’m at it…
I think the showplanes cowl install is no different to the
Vans cowl in terms of difficulty. It’s a very well made piece of glass.
It’s of higher quality out of the box than my experience with Vans cowls.

Intakes - I have an FM300 so things are tight. I’ve relieved the cores in a few select spots to prevent the intakes from rubbing on the cowl. I believe if you have an SDS there’s more room.

IMHO the cowl looks much better than the standard. The 15” spinner looks much more in proportion to the airframe.

You need a specific exhaust. Be aware that the exhaust is close to the cowl in a few places so appropriate shielding is necessary to prevent heat damage to the cowl.

I split my SP lower cowl as I have a 3bladed prop. In practise I’ve only split it once in service. I can now happily manipulate the lower cowl off in one piece. I’m not sure whether I’d do that again if I knew what I know now. 50/50.
As long as you have a long enough gear leg slot it’s doable in one piece.