Hi Scott
Thanks for sharing.
In all my years of experience in owning many planes, flying more, being an AP/IA and my job as an engineer...I'd agree with you without being involved with any of your work, hence the reason I was asking for input. I too wouldn't question someone posting facts on their experience. My entire career was very seriously data driven, many times, no room for error. And, for much of this, I did a LOT of flow modeling/testing which can easily relate to this, followed by actual hard testing both in the lab (usually dynos) and correlated track or field (for verification). Then the loop back to make corrections to the model....
Over the years and with the advent of good engine temp data for small aircraft, I've experienced gathering heat data on many planes, taking into account, altitude, OAT, fuel flow, etc. Unfortunately, sample size and controls were NOT adequate to publish. In my career work, I was responsible to try to assure all factors were considered for testing so as to create lab testing that would be representative when accelerated...which, at times, was very difficult.
Some of you might have read some of my articles where many times I question those that make people believe they are "experts" when it's only their opinion. I am sure, they do not have adequate hard data to prove statistically what they claim.
After 47 years of owning big bore Continental engines/cylinders, working on hundreds and reading about them nearly weekly over all those years...I have a signature line some might have seen or appreciate
Only one thing worse than a big bore Continental....2 of them!