I can report
some positive progress with the RV-8 13BT.
I took time out from flying to install the wheel pants, leg
and intersection fairings. Although the left side didn't go on
as well as I would have liked, I am flying it again, and it is
faster.
Now I feel I am roughly equivalent to a stock RV-8. My
radiator scoop, oil cooler air exit louvers and under slung
muffler may increase aerodynamic drag, but that is a penalty I
carry while comparing performance to a Lycoming equipped RV-8.
I took off today with roughly 37"Hg manifold pressure, left
the throttle alone. We climbed to 8000 msl, where I leveled
out and let the speed build until it stabilized. The vortex
generator I installed in the oil cooler air plenum must be
effective, as the oil temp only reached 197F
I took a picture of the EM-2, to evaluate after landing.
6110 RPM, 29.2 MP, TAS 206, EGT 1709
13.8 GPH,
161 H20 Temp, 186 Oil Temp. Oil Pressure 60.
The GPS read 197 ground speed, don't know what the winds
aloft were.
Disclaimer: I have not calibrated the EM-2, I'm just
getting familiar with programming the Fuel Map. I'm working
out some of the lean spots, and after a measure of success,
moving it over to the B controller.
I'm flying with full fuel, and some stuff in the cockpit,
so I'm frequently about 1750Lbs take of weight, although I was
about 1700 lbs TO weight on the second flight today, where I
did see climb rates of 1500 to 2000 fpm at various speeds and
altitudes from 1100 field elevation to 5000 MSL.
I have not gone to full power. I understand the application
of a waste gate now. At low to moderated power, the turbo
boost (I have it instrumented as well as manifold pressure)
will stay about 30", but when I add manifold pressure above
about 25", the turbo boost increases substantially more than
the manifold pressure I select with the throttle. It would be
nice to advance the throttle to wide open for take off, and
close the waste gate gradually while climbing.
I have intercooler components, which I hold up to the
engine and try to envision a mounting & ducting scheme.
I'm also trying to do the same with a waste gate. I have a big
clunky automotive unit from Turbonetics, but I like the
concept used on a Turbo Aztec better...