-- George asks...  Why did you change from the electronic fuel -- injection to the bendix servo? Why did you change back to -- 8.7:1 pistons ?

Now that's a DARN good question, and it really depresses me to think about
it.  But since you ask, I'll provide the proverbial 30-second answer. Ever since my prop strike two years ago, and subsequent engine overhaul, I
have had high oil consumption problems.  A quart every 2 or 3 hours.
Everything else was wonderful - the plane was VERY fast and extremely good
economy.  The overhauler (a well known and reputable shop) kept saying...
Give it time.  After almost two years, my warranty was coming to an end, and
the problem hadn't been fixed.  I firmly requested they pull the cylinders.
They did.  They were glazed.  They honed, reringed and reinstalled.  Two
months and 50 hours later, the oil consumption still stunk.  Another firm conversation with the overhauler, and they said... NO WAY,
you've got non-standard pistons and non-standard fuel system.  We will no
longer honor your warranty.  I replied that I would remove ALL of the stuff,
but they had to stand behind the warranty.  And that's what happened.  Sort of.  I removed the engine, replaced the
entire fuel and ignition system (about 100 hours of labor), and ran it like
crazy on their test stand.  Still wouldn't get hot, nor break in.  They
said... Must be the pistons.  So I replaced the pistons with stock pistons.
Then they ran it on the test stand for about 6 hours, and oil consumption
seemed to be getting better (still don't know for sure - only about 25 hours
on the plane since then).

Just to put a cap on the whole thing - the shop sent me a bill for about
$3,600 for the internal engine work and test stand running (I did 100% of
the non "internal" engine work, and even R&R'd the cylinders with one of
their A&P's on the side.  That doesn't even count the cost of the components
to switch over (mags, fuel servo system and plumbing, fuel pump, backup fuel
pump, new intake runners, etc.).  All in, this debacle cost me about $10,000
and I really don't have anything to show for it, except a slower plane,
worse starting, and a bit worse economy...

So sad.  Anyone want to buy an awesome electronic injection and electronic
fuel system?  I'd put it back on my plane, but A) my wife would kill me (I
spent every free evening and weekend for two months working on the darn
thing) and B) it depresses me to think about it now.

Matt