Yes, I know the obvious way to find out would be to call Vetterman exhaust and ask, but it's Saturday and I'm hoping to get an answer sooner
Specifically my question is, how much more does a pair of Vetterman mufflers weigh than straight pipes?
I'm finishing an RV-9A that has Vetterman mufflers on its IO-320. The CG worked out to be pretty far forward due to decisions made by the original builder. Enough that in order to keep the weight on the nosewheel under 325 pounds I can't fly it solo with full fuel without about 20 pounds in the baggage compartment- for that matter, even someone far more svelte and attractive than me would have the same problem. If the weight difference between straight pipes and mufflers is significant that could move the CG aft enough to mitigate some of the need for ballast.
For what it's worth, the aircraft is always within the published CG range for any loading condition; the issue has to do with the Van's Nose Gear Letter dated November 9, 2007 which shows a chart of gross weight versus nosewheel weight for various CG conditions. It is the limiting factor for loading on this airplane. Painting it will help since that moves the CG aft, but that's going to be up to the next owner.
I'm sure nosewheels are great, but I love my tailwheel RV-7
Specifically my question is, how much more does a pair of Vetterman mufflers weigh than straight pipes?
I'm finishing an RV-9A that has Vetterman mufflers on its IO-320. The CG worked out to be pretty far forward due to decisions made by the original builder. Enough that in order to keep the weight on the nosewheel under 325 pounds I can't fly it solo with full fuel without about 20 pounds in the baggage compartment- for that matter, even someone far more svelte and attractive than me would have the same problem. If the weight difference between straight pipes and mufflers is significant that could move the CG aft enough to mitigate some of the need for ballast.
For what it's worth, the aircraft is always within the published CG range for any loading condition; the issue has to do with the Van's Nose Gear Letter dated November 9, 2007 which shows a chart of gross weight versus nosewheel weight for various CG conditions. It is the limiting factor for loading on this airplane. Painting it will help since that moves the CG aft, but that's going to be up to the next owner.
I'm sure nosewheels are great, but I love my tailwheel RV-7