REFLECTOR: Subaru run video

Tue Dec 4 13:22:05 CST 2007

I had written the following to Alex but since Matt and Len have mentioned the Crossflow engines, let me share what I know about Crossflow and to caution folks to be VERY CAREFUL before you spend any money.  There is another Velocity builder out there that ordered and paid for an engine and had not received it as of a year or so ago.  I hadn't planned on sharing the note to Alex with the Reflector crowd, but since at least two of you are considering the engine - I didn't want to see anyone else taken to the cleaners (Dick paid as much for his FWF Crossflow, 4 cylinder turbo engine as I did my Don George Lycasarus IO360.)  I have 360 hours of reliable flying - Dick is still trying to get his airplane back home. 

Alex,
I wanted to update you on my friend, Dick Healy and his 4 cylinder, turbo charged Crossflow Subaru mounted on his Lancair 320 in 2004.

He has spent much of the summer in Canada after trailering his airplane to Crossflow to get the engine running right. (He got his engine after many delays in 2004).  They are on the third engine now (at least one engine was fried from running too lean), added an intercooler due to high combustion air temps.  The third engine has flown once and with winter setting in, it may be next year before they can confirm the flyability of the current setup.

Just wanted you to know that Jorge may not know all he needs to know about the ECU and engine operations.  On one of his trips down to NC to tune the ECU, he told Dick he did not think it was advisable to provide a cool air source to the turbo inlet.  You and I both know, the cooler the air, the better the engine performance will be (well short of carb icing - but these engines ARE fuel injected).  I couldn't believe Jorge had advised against the cool air scoop.  Now, he understands that not only does it need a cool air source, it also needs to have an intercooler to keep combustion air down to a reasonable temperature.  

Good luck with your engine - I feel better about what you are doing versus buying a firewall forward (rearward) from Crossflow.  They make a pretty engine, but I question his engine knowledge.  Last I heard, he has sold 60 engines.  None are in reliable flying conditions yet!  Dick says there is one other flying engine at Crossflow, but it hasn't left the area yet.

Reflector Gang:  I love auto engines as much as anyone.  I have been a hot rodder for years, built several engines including a Chevy small block in a 53 Studebaker coupe.  But, if you want reliable power for your Velocity, an engine that will keep you flying for a long time on a single rebuild, and can actually get pretty good fuel burns with a matched set of injector nozzles and good EGT/CHT monitoring (I get 8 GPH at 2600 rpm and 155 knots in my 173 Elite RG.  In a standard wing, you can add at least 15 knots to the cruise speed.  Oh and I hung my engine and installed all of the FW backwards in a little over a month.  Everything works as installed originally.  It starts easily, runs cool, and is very dependable.    

Ronnie Brown
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: len.baxter at gm.com 
  To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list 
  Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 12:40 PM
  Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Subaru run video

  Go for it Matt !!.....there are a lot of us who have ( or will have ) abandoned the 70+ yr old technology represented by  Cont  and Lyc.   I am leaning towards a GM LS2, or a 3 rotor rotary, or the crossflow turbo..... hard to choose. 

  Len Baxter
  XLRG-5 

        "Matt Bucko" <mbuc310 at cox.net> 
        Sent by: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org 
        12/04/2007 12:27 PM Please respond to
              Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list <reflector at tvbf.org> 

       To "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>  
              cc  
              Subject Re: REFLECTOR: Subaru run video 

  Thank you. Most impressed here.  I have been toying with selling my IO540 and going with something else. Deltahawk still has to deliver... I have seen the Crossflow site before.  Nice build. 
  Matt 
  -----Original Message-----
  From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org]On Behalf Of Alex Balic
  Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 9:27 AM
  To: 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
  Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Subaru run video

  Hi Matt- 
   I got a used engine with 48k miles on it- nice thing about SVX owners is that they take really good care of their cars- when I opened it up, oil was like new, still had the burnish marks on the cylinder sleeves.  I  ported and polished the heads, replaced the stock high compression pistons with low compression ones for use with the turbocharger- removed the stock intake manifold, welded up a lower profile, and much lighter one, re-ground the cams slightly, and built the exhaust up one bend at a time to ensure that it would fit in the velocity cowling. Also had to re-locate the alternator for the same reason. I must add that I got a lot of help from Jorge Alonzo up at Crossflow Aero in Canada- he made the engine mount -which is a work of art- and I am using his ECU setup / wiring harness as well as their PSRU.  Intercooler is from a T-210 that I found on EBay for $43 including the pressure relief valve, which I have had reset to 5psi, and I have a Teil external waste gate to control the turbo.  Turbo was built by Majestic Turbochargers here in Dallas .  Overall, it has been a long road to get to this point- I suppose could have purchased a firewall back setup from Crosslfow but wouldn't have learned nearly as much, and they are pretty proud of their 300+ hp units up there- 
  Engine runs ridiculously smooth though- I think I am getting more vibration from the fuel pumps... 
  PS- other nice thing- I can get an factory new assembled short block from Subaru for $3600- might just do that at overhaul time... 

  Alex 

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  From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On Behalf Of Matt Bucko
  Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 8:54 AM
  To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
  Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Subaru run video 

  Who built it? 
  Matt 
  -----Original Message-----
  From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org]On Behalf Of Alex Balic
  Sent: Monday, December 03, 2007 4:48 PM
  To: 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
  Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Subaru run video 
  Estimated at 325hp at 4 lbs of boost- I can set the boost up to 16 psi and get maybe 500 hp- but I don't want to put that much stress on the engine- I am more interested at getting somewhere near 200 hp at 20k feet- and get some good top end like  factory turbo model.  There is a guy who is getting about 1600 dyno wheel hp for drag racing in Australia out of a more highly modified turbocharged SVX- but I would guess that that engine won't last too long at cruise power settings.  J 

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  From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On Behalf Of Matt Bucko
  Sent: Monday, December 03, 2007 11:22 AM
  To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
  Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Subaru run video 

  Is that the 300 HP motor? 
  Matt 
  -----Original Message-----
  From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org]On Behalf Of Alex Balic
  Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2007 7:24 PM
  To: 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
  Subject: REFLECTOR: Subaru run video 
  Got a video up on youtube if anyone is interested- second run on my SVX motor- Milt Merskey on the camera with commentary- have an intermittent ignition coil on #5-  it comes alive at 1:48 and you can tell the difference- smoke at the end is from newly installed exhaust wrap ect.... still have a ton of wiring to do, but this kind of stuff keeps you going... 

  Alex 

  http://youtube.com/watch?v=IsbPcWBX2RU_______________________________________________
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