REFLECTOR: Exhaust change - the data is in!
Kevin Baker
flykb at verizon.net
Sun Jun 2 14:10:54 CDT 2013
Hi Geoff
Thank you for doing all this and keeping us updated.
Congrats on the 5 + increase
That is awesome !!!!
Have a great trip
Kevin Baker
.
On Jun 2, 2013, at 1:34 PM, Geoff Gerhardt <geoff.gerhardt at gmail.com> wrote:
> All,
>
> I was able to get out this morning to test the new 4-4 exhaust from Custom Aircraft Parts. As I mentioned yesterday, I saw no increase in my static RPM with the new exhaust, indicating that you should expect no HP increase (over the stock 2x2-1 Velocity exhaust) with this exhaust format. It did sound a little different, maybe a bit quieter and smoother (I'm talking about when I'm taxiing around).
>
> Now, for the real test - do I go any faster? I first took it up around the pattern and climbed to 5K' for a few speed runs above the airport. Just in case sometime came loose, at least I'd be able to glide down. It did seem faster, but that was a low altitude, and I was not going for very long runs before turning around. Put it back on the ground, ensured everything was still strapped in, then took it up for a real test. I climbed to 10,000', got on with approach so they made sure I didn't hit anything, and did some speed runs. Bottom line, an honest 5kts increase. Normally, at 10k', ~60deg LOP, which is ~7.6gal/hr I cruise at 150kts. Last weekend, when I took it out, tho, it was a little faster, more like 152ktias. Today, at 10k', 7.6gal/hr it was 158kias. At 8g/hr, 160kias. As I richen it up and approach peak, my CHT's skyrocket. At 8gal/hr my hottest cylinder is ~390F, but at 9gal/hr it shoots up to 415F, and the others aren't far behind. 8gal/hr at 10k' seems to be the best balance of speed, fuel economy and engine temperature. I can live with 160kias for awhile.
>
> I didn't see any improvement in engine cooling - I thought that would help a lot, but it doesn't seem to do much. My engine temps are not bad. In cruise I'm usually under ~385F. Oil temps <210F.
>
> I suspect that a Std RG would see a bigger improvement than my 173RG. Most of my excess drag is in the wing. A sleeker Std would probably see a greater overall percentage drag reduction with this exhaust change than I saw.
>
> On Friday, I'll be leaving for my longest XC, from Worcester MA to Minneapolis. I'll be there a couple days, then heading up North to Canada to visit my folks. I'll certainly have an opportunity to get a stable cruise numbers then.
>
> Let me know if you have any other questions about this. I'll post some pictures later.
>
> Geoff
>
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