Airflow Performance Fuel injection?

m3tt5 · #1 01-23-2011, 12:59 PM

I am thinking about putting Airflow Performance fuel injection on my already flying O-320 RV6A. I have talked to Don at Airflow. My question is for you guy's that have put the fuel injection on by yourself. Is it very hard to do? Can a simple man put it all on or should you have someone do it for you? For the guy's already flying with Airflows fuel injection how do you like it and have you had any trouble?

dlloyd3 · #2 01-23-2011, 01:28 PM

I had never seen their system prior to buying my partially assembled engine. None of the fuel injection system was installed. AFP provides notebook containing instructions. It is not an advertisement as so many are but all the details on installation, adjustment, maintenance, troubleshooting, etc. Everything you need to know is in there. Once my engine was running, I diagnosed a lean idle mixture, check in the book and made the needed adjustments. Works just like it should. I am not a hands on type person, all the engine related stuff was difficult for me but this part was fairly easy.

flion · #3 01-23-2011, 02:22 PM

The installation is very simple and, as Dave mentioned, the instructions are very complete. Don is also very good about supplying tech support. I think anyone who could build an RV could easily do the conversion.

Now, let me qualify that 'easily'. You may find that you have to move your existing engine controls. You will almost certainly have to re-plumb your fuel system from the selector forward to include the high-pressure pump and filter. And, if you use the fuel purge (I highly recommend it), you will have to plumb a return and run a control cable for the purge valve. So it won't be quite a 'bolt and go' project but it should be well within your capabilities.

I have yet to get mine tuned but I get quite good results with my 'out-of-the-box' installation.

db1yg · #4 01-23-2011, 04:51 PM

Timely questions!

I took delivery of an AFP FI system/mech fuel pump/new fuel pressure sender a month ago. I will be doing the conversion from carb to FI on 9DB after we finish a prop change from Catto and when it warms a little around the hangar here in Prescott. I did some visual checks with the servo and it appears the throttle cable to the carb will work with the FI but I have my doubts about the mixture cable--may need a longer one. Sure would like to hear from someone who has done this conversion on this--or other--issues to address in this conversion.

Cheers,

db

Walt · #5 01-23-2011, 05:33 PM

I did the conversion from carb to AFP a couple of years ago (a search will probably bring up some previous posts on this subject).

Not overly difficult but it is a lot of work and lots of new parts. Along with the AFP kit you'll need new throttle and mixture cables, make all new brackets, purge valve cable/plumbing install (I already had provisions for purge back to one tank), drill new firewall holes, a bunch of new teflon fuel hoses, new mechanical and electrical fuel pumps with associated plumbing, wiring for relocated FF sensor, etc... you get the idea.

It's one of those jobs you think you can do in about 2 weeks but ends up taking 4.

System runs great and glad I did it!

m3tt5 · #6 01-23-2011, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walt

I did the conversion from carb to AFP a couple of years ago (a search will probably bring up some previous posts on this subject).

Not overly difficult but it is a lot of work and lots of new parts. Along with the AFP kit you'll need new throttle and mixture cables, make all new brackets, purge valve cable/plumbing install (I already had provisions for purge back to one tank), drill new firewall holes, a bunch of new teflon fuel hoses, new mechanical and electrical fuel pumps with associated plumbing, wiring for relocated FF sensor, etc... you get the idea.

It's one of those jobs you think you can do in about 2 weeks but ends up taking 4.

System runs great and glad I did it!

Wow Did it really take 4 week's?

Walt · #7 01-23-2011, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3tt5

Wow Did it really take 4 week's?

Yea about that... of course I had a regular job at the time so a few hours a day and the weekends is all I had to actually "work" on it. Then there is the ordering of hoses and cables after you have everything installed (so you can figure the correct lengths) which takes a week to get.

m3tt5 · #8 01-24-2011, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walt

Yea about that... of course I had a regular job at the time so a few hours a day and the weekends is all I had to actually "work" on it. Then there is the ordering of hoses and cables after you have everything installed (so you can figure the correct lengths) which takes a week to get.

Mine is already flying. So I don't know if I can go that long without flying. I never thought it took all that.

Walt · #9 01-24-2011, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3tt5

Mine is already flying. So I don't know if I can go that long without flying. I never thought it took all that.

You may certainly be able to do it faster than I did, especially if you dedicated a full week to the job.

I admit to working a bit slow, but "perfection" takes time

don rv6 · #10 01-24-2011, 11:53 AM

I am building an rv6 io360. Is there anywhere I can get good instructions on the airflow FI. step by step stuff
thx Don