Auto 4 Bangers for RVs

[rv6ejguy]

EPI has done many installations mainly in Lancairs. Maybe if someone approached them for an RV10 installation they would be interested. IMO, EPI is a step above all the other PSRU vendors with their realistic, detailed and scientific approach to alternative engines. They have the tools, experience and knowledge to do it all correctly.

Their Mark 15 PSRU is around $9500. The complete crate LS6 is $5500. Add an ECU, fuel system and radiator setup for another $3000, a custom mount for $2000-$3000 hopefully. Ask Sam James nicely for a cowling to fit it all and... we have the technology.

There will be some labor involved to hook it all up and build a duct, exhaust etc. but you'd have the building blocks for about half the price of a new bare IO-540.

If EPI did the whole FF shot, I don't doubt it would be in the $40K bracket but it would be cool.

[Jconard]

Most people sign off with the plane they are building and what stage they are at. Should we just call you Mr. Negative????

Love to see it DONE, not planned. As long as I can remember, it has been "simple" to bolt a cheap engine to a cheap mount etcc... and fly off into the horizon.

Would love to live in such a world. It is not this world.


I was actually being a little facitious :-) , because if ANYONE knows that is wishful thinking, it has to be Ross, and frankly I thought that he might have been a little tongue in cheek as well.

[gmcjetpilot]

Originally Posted by rv6ejguy

I was just cruising Bud Warren's site here and see he has a drive for supercharged 205hp Ecotecs now.

I have seen the engine used by a few hot rods and a little vintage race car replica. Cool engine. It's only been around since 2003, first in non-supercharger form, making only 115 hp, than 145 hp. It comes in GM cars like the Cobalt or Cavalier (small-med compact sedans). The original non-supercharged versions had the reputation for being a dog, but the superchargered version comes in the 'SS' models; it gets a pass or good review on acceleration, in a compact.

No one here believes it will produce 205 HP at the prop, like an angle valve IO360, do they? Its only a tad over 2-liter, a 360 cu-in is almost 6 liter. There ain't no replacement for displacement. I think when we talk engine we should talk REAL numbers at the PROP not what GM publishes. The REAL number at the prop, all day and night with ease and reliability is?

The car rating is 205HP @ sea level, near red line RPM with a supercharger! Superchargers heat the air as it compresses it. At sea level that is fine, but as you climb the air gets thinner and there is less air to cool. Keeping the power/boost up with out temp problems is unlikely. The engineers designed enough cooling for sea level, not WOT ops at altitude. HP will fall off as you climb, just like an atmo engine. It uses the supercharger because IT NEEDS IT. It's not a bonus. Supercharged Subies have a similar temp issue. To make 205HP with 2.2 liter, is hard work. There's no fat, it's all she has. You can't violate physics, size matters. Indy race engines can turn 15,000 rpm, but even they limit Revs to 10,300 for life.

Wait till their experimental Mooney Mite (single seater) project gets some hours on engine and PSRU, before you write a check. The PSRU looks massive. Even bud says just engine and PSRU is 300 lbs!

May be a RV9 would be happy with it, since it might make 120 HP(?) at the prop max reliably while keeping engine RPM's reasonable. After making a custom engine mount, PSRU and cooling system, I estimate it the installed weight will be more than an O235, while making same/less real and usable power.