Superior XP vs SL

szicree · #1 06-22-2005, 01:40 PM

I'm hoping somebody on here knows what the difference is insurance-wise between going with an XP versus an SL kit. I seem to recall my insurance guy saying that they treat the XP like a Lycoming, but not the SL. Anybody have any solid onfo on this or other differences. I have built lots of car and motorcycle engines over the years and suspect that this motor is not any worse. I really want to build my engine, but I'm having a hard time with the $2500 (plus travel) expense for the 'privelege" of doing so at their facility. Also, has anybody built an engine and then had it run in a test cell to check things out? How much did that set you back?

Steve Zicree

mahlon_r · #2 06-22-2005, 02:33 PM

Steve, we can build you an XP360 and have you watch and somewhat participate. We are an XP-360 build and test center. There is no charge for that service at our facility in NY. All engines that we build TMX or XP are tested before they leave our facility and that test is included in the price of the engine. The XP pricing from us is the same as from Superior.
You are also welcome to observe the testing if you want.
Good luck,
Mahlon
"The opinions and information provided in this and all of my posts are hopefully helpful to you. Please use the information provided responsibly and at you own risk."

szicree · #3 06-22-2005, 05:18 PM

Mahlon,

Thanks, but NY is even further from me than TX (California). I guess my question is about the differences, if any, between the XP and SL. I think insurance might be an issue, which trickles into the financing as well. I know I can save $1500 right off the top with an SL over an XP. I feel that I have the skills required to assemble it if it really is a complete engine as Superior says, but also like the idea of being able to test run the motor before it goes on. Anybody out there gone the SP route?

Steve Zicree

KirkGrovesRV8 · #4 06-22-2005, 05:40 PM

Hi Steve,
I would stray away from doing it yourself unless you really know aircraft piston engines or have a good A&P friend. Lots of inside tricks building a engine.
Best of luck
Kirk RV-8 fuse

szicree · #5 06-22-2005, 05:50 PM

Can somebody out there give some examples of these "tricks" that are used to build an aircraft engine versus cars, bikes, etc. I've known a couple of AP's that I wouldn't trust to wax my car, let alone build me a motor. I'm not saying that dedicated engine builders aren't fast and skilled at building, but I think some folks view engines as a bit more mysterious than they actually are.

Steve Zicree.

KirkGrovesRV8 · #6 06-22-2005, 09:11 PM

Sorry Steve I did not mean to offend, I just meant through my experience watching my engine be built things like the proper fit of the crank gear, in my kit that was sent to Mattituck they had to try two diffrent gears to find a proper fit. Also with my engine a connecting rod was too short. These were parts that were sent with my kit, and the experience of the people who put my engine together was able to catch these minor imperfections in fit that I am sure I would have missed.
Best of Luck and again sorry if I offended,
Kirk

szicree · #7 06-22-2005, 09:17 PM

Kirk,

No offense taken at all. Holy cow, one of the rods was too short?! By how much? Was it from a different model engine? Stuff like that can definitely happen, which is actually most of the reason I want to build it myself. I'd love to have the folks at Superior look over my shoulder while I do it, I'm just not sure I want to shell out 2 or 3 thousand bucks for that service.

Steve Zicree

Adam · #8 06-23-2005, 05:10 AM

Steve,
I am a past student of the Superior build school and it has been the best part
of the building of my RV-8. The people at Superior are great, and the information you learn is invaluable, it costs extra but you will be glad you did it, "Hay, its only money!"

Ironflight · #9 06-23-2005, 12:07 PM

Steve -

I was initially going to go to DFW to build an XP360 at Superior's facility, but ended up going to Mattituck and building a TMX after talking with Mahlon. One of the biggest problems dosen't appy to you, but since I live in Texas, I was going to have to pay sales tax on that huge investement! The price of a round-trip ticket to Long Island on Southwest was a whole lot cheaper....

I have no doubt that any good, competent mechanic can build up an aircraft engine, but based on what I learned at Mattituck (and my own past experiences), the chances that you wil get all of the little secrets right on your first try with no one telling you the peculiarities of the model are slim.

I've been wrenching most of my life, but the little things I saw at Mattituck made me glad I didn't try to build this "simple" engine from a kit...at least not my first time! Absolutely no offense intended to anyone! Mattituck was also a good deal because they didn't charge for me to come and help, but either place would give you those little valuable lessons - and as mentioned above - access to extra parts should the ones in the kit not turn out to be exactly right....

Paul Dye
TMX-360

szicree · #10 06-23-2005, 12:30 PM

Paul,

Thanks for the insights. So how does this whole sales tax thing work? When you went to NY and bought the motor, did you have to pay NY sales tax? Would I have to pay TX sales tax if I went there and built my engine? What if I order it and have it sent to me in CA? My head is spinning.

Steve Zicree