by DCASonex » Fri Apr 08, 2016 8:59 am
Ken,
As you have noted, many small things can affect CHTs and EGTs.
The inserts I made to top of my plenums were made to fit with existing cooling vents to mags and fuel pump (photo of that in files section Jab-CAMit forum). Not at all surprising that something a bit different works better on yours.
Likewise, minor cowling and baffle sealing differences may account for the differences we see in jet sizes by changing the air pressure the carb sees. Ian mentioned working up some test rig for this to make installations between various air frames more consistent, but sounded like that was a work in progress. If fuel flows are up near same as mine, it is likely you are close to correct, but surprised your cruise EGTs are not higher. Needle shape will make a big difference, but at WOT it is is essentially removed from the jet for all but its small tip, which is about same on all needles, where mine was just too lean with anything smaller than a 2.80 needle jet (and 2.55 main).
Simple test just to provide a ref. point, put in a larger main (bottom) jet. That should not affect anything other than WOT operation. If nothing changes, it is your needle jet that is restricting flow at WOT. If slightly larger needle jet is then installed can reset main jet. If larger needle jet makes EGTs at cruise go up, you were running lean of peak. If EGTs go down, you will need a needle with fatter swelled area to restrict flow at cruise while passing enough fuel at WOT. Worth making this check just to confirm all is good to protect that new engine and provide confidence in your tuning.
No flying here today. Snowing like heck, not even IFR, just IRS, as in stay in and finish taxes.
David A.