Decision time - engine or avionics?

[lostpilot28]

I'm about 1/2 done with my finishing kit and was hoping for some good advice from other builders. To sum it up, I've got an airplane with no electrical or powerplant. OK, no interior or paint either, but that can definitely wait until later. So, should I do the electrical stuff next so I can close up the forward fuse skin and last remaining wing panels? Or should I start on the engine and leave the avionics for last?

Of course, if money weren't an issue, I'd buy it all right now.

[Ron Lee]

Do check into lead times for the remaining components. I have heard of lengthy delivery times for some EFIS systems and props. Not sure about engines.

[yakdriver]

Do the avionics and wiring first. with the engine hanging on the plane it is a long walk back and forth and you will do a lot of the wiring standing in front of the firewall. Also leave the engine mount and gear off when doing the wiring. I had my fuse sitting on some low sawhorses when doing the panel and wiring. Don

[shiney]

I had the same dilemma. I have chosen to go with an engine that comes with a three year guarantee, when it was pointed out to me that I would be eating into that guarantee the moment I hooked it up I decided that the panel and the electrics would come first and the engine last. The only problem that I have with that decission is just how fast the glass cockpit market is moving so now I can't decide what to buy!!

[scard]

I vote electrical first. I was very happy with the order that I did mine with the fuselage very low to the floor with no engine or mount on the front. You can just stand there in front of the firewall and tinker to your hearts content with everything within perfect reach. The minute you put it up on the gear and/or put the engine on the front, all that changes and you're up on a step stool reaching over from the side.

[w1curtis]

Engine first! Engines change little over time, avionics will potentially go obsolete before you finish your kit --just look at the glass cockpit section to see all the happenings with avionics. I have everything for my kit EXCEPT the avionics and won't order until winter for a planned next summer completion. There are some lengthy lead times but hopefully the increased competition will resolve this. Having the engine will allow you to complete the cowling and all the exterior fuselage parts, then you can turn your attention to wiring-which is mostly inside the firewall.

Remember, there are a lot of folks out there saying to themselves "if only I had waited" referring to their avionics---not many say that about an engine purchase. They usually say the opposite since it seems engine prices go up ever year; avionics (especially experimental avionics) just go obsolete year to year.

[newtech]

I went with the engine first. Mainly because I wanted a 0 time rebuilt engine. About three months after I started watching, one that meet all of my requirements showed up in the VAF Classified section. Within fifteen minutes of the post it was mine. It is now mounted and I am working on firewall forward systems. Grand Rapids EIS should be delivered next week. I am on the waiting list for one of the new Grand Rapids Sport EFIS, which isn't scheduled to ship until November or December.

If you are going with a used and or rebuilt engine get your money in the checking account and start watching for the "right one" when it comes along jump on it because there are literally thousands of RV builders that are looking for the same "right one". If there is a waiting list for the EFIS you want then get on the waiting list now.

Steve Eberhart
RV-7A on its gear with an O-360-A1A hanging on the nose and with wires starting to sprout from a lot of weird places.

[kentb]

I would put the engine on, add a minimal panel and then fly the plane.
Later I would go back and update the panel the way I wanted when I had reached phase II.
This way you could get the latest glass panel stuff and get in the air with less up front expense.

Kent

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by shiney

I had the same dilemma. I have chosen to go with an engine that comes with a three year guarantee, when it was pointed out to me that I would be eating into that guarantee the moment I hooked it up (

Check with the engine vendors--------if they wont start the warranty form the date of airworthiness cert issue, look elsewhere.

[cjensen]

We need a "Never Ending Debate" section for this subject!

FWIW...I'm going to do panel and electric first for the reasons those above already pointed out...ALL of the avionics stuff that was out six or seven years ago still works fine today! Depends on what you want panel-wise I suppose.