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...