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Sam James MK3 Filtered Ram Air Kit on RV-10 IO-540
- Thread starter flybill7
- Start date
Hey Bill,
The Mk3 Filter is 50 % too small for the IO-540 .
It has been tested and flowed by Airflow Performance.
Rocket Filter Thread
We are working hard on another option and hope to have a production solution before Oshkosh 2026
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Thanks. I guess we'll go with the Vans stock solution for now, and check out your production solution hopefully at Oshkosh 2026.
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Please keep us informed - I'm not a fan of the Vans stock filter setup.
I know this is an older thread, but what is your displeasure with the VAN FAB?
As posted the MK-3 filter is too small for the IO-540.
I recently contacted HP aircraft on their offerings:
hpaircraftblog.wordpress.com
For me, the full time filter model is what I’ll go with. I’ll use the larger K&N RU 3600 filter for my CAS IO-540 with the FM-200. The RU 3600 measures out at a little over 70 square inches. The K&N guidance for an IO-540 engine at 2700 rpm is 70 square inches.
I’ll soon have the engine mounted and will take measurements to verify this fits.
Thank you Todd Nelson for putting me on this trail.
Carl
I recently contacted HP aircraft on their offerings:
Ram air intake
Our ram air intake for Lycoming engines with forward-facing fuel-injection servo bodies offers low pressure drop even when using filtered air. We have three basic models: Type 1, with a butterfly v…
hpaircraftblog.wordpress.com
For me, the full time filter model is what I’ll go with. I’ll use the larger K&N RU 3600 filter for my CAS IO-540 with the FM-200. The RU 3600 measures out at a little over 70 square inches. The K&N guidance for an IO-540 engine at 2700 rpm is 70 square inches.
I’ll soon have the engine mounted and will take measurements to verify this fits.
Thank you Todd Nelson for putting me on this trail.
Carl
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rmarshall234
Well Known Member
Neither am I. It was a good design when introduced 40 yrs ago but any shortcomings haven’t been addressed. Don’t like the way the filter changes dimension and sealing over time and don’t like the cheesy alternate air door.
Thanks, I have used Van's FAB for 30 yrs, and yes the K&N can shrink, but that is not fatal. It can be replaced. It really is about FIT, of an updraft O-360. Also cost and time to build. I already have a part.
I would add IMHO the biggest negative of the VAN FAB is the tendency of the metal plate to crack. This is mitigated two ways: 1) support the front of the box. 2) the fit of the cowl to the airbox can be too tight, so the vibrations of engine and fixed cowl can fatigue metal plate.
In my case lower cowl will be modified to be "Sam James" like. The connection between cowl and FAB will be neoprene or SCAT duct. There will be FAB front support and flexibility between FAB and Cowl duct, which should eliminate base plate cracking. Also using a thicker metal plate than stock.
I really like the forward facing deal but I am committed to my updraft carb. I could change oil sump to fwd facing induction, buy FI and on and on.. and $$$ and $$$ and
and . I really like the simplicity of carburetor FAB, and I will accept filter shrinkage. It works. I do like the conical filter airboxes, but the MK1 airbox is really a work around of updraft... it does not make sense for me.
I would add IMHO the biggest negative of the VAN FAB is the tendency of the metal plate to crack. This is mitigated two ways: 1) support the front of the box. 2) the fit of the cowl to the airbox can be too tight, so the vibrations of engine and fixed cowl can fatigue metal plate.
In my case lower cowl will be modified to be "Sam James" like. The connection between cowl and FAB will be neoprene or SCAT duct. There will be FAB front support and flexibility between FAB and Cowl duct, which should eliminate base plate cracking. Also using a thicker metal plate than stock.
I really like the forward facing deal but I am committed to my updraft carb. I could change oil sump to fwd facing induction, buy FI and on and on.. and $$$ and $$$ and
and . I really like the simplicity of carburetor FAB, and I will accept filter shrinkage. It works. I do like the conical filter airboxes, but the MK1 airbox is really a work around of updraft... it does not make sense for me.