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...