Aerovee Turbo Kit

[marsolgp]

Thanks.... and Mike, yes, my initial climb rate after T.O. was only about 400 fpm..... Kinda disconcerting when on a hot day you're using 2/3 of your available runway, then "hoping" you can clear a few obstacles in case something happens.... But, those days are over. This thing is fantastic.!

I was hoping to up again this afternoon, but clouds moving in. Maybe tomorrow. Will keep you all posted.

[Bryan Cotton]

Great job Geary! I wish you and the rest of the turbo folks huge success!

[marsolgp]

Hey Bryan, I think you're actually doing it the right way…. experience the AeroVee normally aspirated then add the turbo later… gives you a whole new appreciation for the extra power. I don't know if I would have appreciated it as much if I hadn't done it this way.

[grevaly]

Well...We have been siiting on the edge of our seats for a while waitng to hear a bit more about your Turbo.
Hope all is going well, any ideas of what fuel consumption might be?

[SonexN369UR]

Got my kit and started to make a list and check "what else" I need. First obstacle is that I do NOT have a block off plate nor hole on front of my engine next to the oil pump on the right hand side as you face he engine. This is where Sonex says that the Oil temp should be taken....so .....

I have to drill and am VERY worried I might get metal in the case.... any thoughts????
Thanks

JACK

[grevaly]

I just finished the engine less the rear areovee package so I am still figuring things out as well.
It seems to me there are more than one or two spots to place engine temp sensors. Sonex should be back
Monday, maybe some one else may have an answer.

[marsolgp]

Sorry about not updating all on the turbo, have answered a few questions via PM, but mostly busy flying and tinkering. I never have had the discipline to do hard flight testing and figures etc., but I did put the aircraft back into phase 1 for five hours. I changed the gross weight to 1200lbs and needed to check the flight characteristics at that weight as well as see how the turbo would perform. I'm now out of phase 1 and happy to report that other than being a little less sporty, it does fly well at that increased weight.

My airplane never has been a light weight (it was 683lbs when I first flew it). Since then, I've added steel cylinders, in place of Nikasil, auto pilot servoes, ADS-B, fuel pump and Rotec TBI, air box with carb heat, two heat muffs and the Turbo kit. I now weigh 736 lbs empty. There will only be a few times I would ever need 1200 lb gross, but it's nice to have it and know it'll perform.

Now back to numbers (at gross wt). Take off from grass was 650 feet. Concrete was 450 feet. Initial climb is easily 1000 FPM at 100 mph. Cruise at 35" MAP and 3150 RPM is about 170 mph TAS and 7+ GPH. 30" MAP with 2850 RPM is my favorite. It yields about 140 mph TAS and I can lean to about 4.5 GPH. I have had no heat issues. EGT's are leaned to about 1300 and CHT's in cruise sit around 340-350. Because of the increased airspeed I no longer get flashing caution CHT (set at 400) and that includes climb out at 40" MAP.

Needless to say, when flying normal, just me and 10 gallons of fuel, this thing is off grass in 450 feet and 300 off concrete.

Only issues so far, exhaust bolts loosening, and burning off the exhaust wrap and turbo blanket (by that I mean they smoke for the first 3-4 hours) and a little leak from the turbo oil drain fitting plate. Instructions said to use Aviation Form-a-gasket 3, didn't work. I ended up cutting a gasket from an old Chevy exhaust gasket and coating it with Aviation Form-a-Gasket 3. It seems to have held up good.

If anyone has specific questions, ask away, I'll try answer what I can.

[gammaxy]

30" MAP with 2850 RPM is my favorite. It yields about 140 mph TAS and I can lean to about 4.5 GPH.

That's about what I get at WOT (around 2000 foot density altitude) with my normally-aspirated Aerovee and a 54x46 Prince P-Tip propeller and ~3100 rpm.

Now back to numbers (at gross wt). Take off from grass was 650 feet. Concrete was 450 feet. Initial climb is easily 1000 FPM at 100 mph.

At 1150 lbs I climb at 400 fpm @ 75mph Vy (around 1000-2000 foot density altitude). From looking at GPS tracks when I was taking off at gross weight, it looks like around 800 feet on concrete (not completely sure about this number, but I know I can't get close to 450 feet).

Did you do anything about your exhaust bolt loosening? I had a couple on the same exhaust flange loosen. When I had the cowl off I noticed a sooty region that got my attention. I'm thinking I must have not tightened them enough. Since I tightened them again they haven't come loose again.

[Bruce593SX]

Which manifold pressure gauge are you using? Just ordered my upgrade kit today...

Bruce Johnson
Sonex 593

[MichaelFarley56]

If anyone uses MGL systems products and has an older RDAC unit without a manifold pressure port, you can send the RDAC back to MGL in California and for a small fee, they can rebuild it to include a manifold pressure port. I sent mine to them and they had it heading back my way within 72 hours. Great service and this will let me add a manifold pressure gauge to my EFIS.