912 Big Bore

[HighWing]

Highwing,
Are those cylinders for the 1622 or the 1484?

I have no idea which cylinders are in the photos. I wish I had taken pictures of the two side by side and also of the pistons. My intent was to show the excellent quality of the parts.

The attached photo is of Hal departing with a wood prop strapped to his lift strut. I have seen him carry a camp chair there on the past.

[BigJohn]

Highwing,
Are those cylinders for the 1622 or the 1484? I am about to order a set for the 105 HP kit.
I have been having a heck of a time trying to decide whether to go 115 HP or 105 HP. Flying mostly in Mn I have been burning 91 octane non-ethanol but the chance of flying a cross country is highly possible and being able to use the lower octane mogas with ethanol is inviting. Having traveled a lot (by car) I realized that high octane is not as easy to get as the regular so am thinking I should just get the 105HP kit. Also the added expense of having to change to a high-torque starter and replacing my clutch (older 1996 model engine) is another factor that wieghs on my mind. More money for gas.
Actually the plane currently performs great but I am not happy with the oil useage. Engine has the Extra-performance high compression pistons and I have been told by a couple of people this is a typical problem. Having to remove/replace spark plugs every few hours gets real old!

I am very sure that they are the 1484, I currently have the only 1622 which is Wayne and Hals Test engine giving it a good shake down. Both of the 1484 kits 105hp and 114hp are working great in several planes.

[KitfoxJ]

Hello All
Shipped 1484 ZIPPER KIT 11:1 to South Africa on Monday. Another order from Norway today. Several pending here in US. Jay

[WWhunter]

Definitely have the look of quality manufacturing!!!

I am guessing they have easy access to high octane fuel in South Africa. Reason I mention it is after having a discussion with a friend of mine, the availabilty of getting 91 octane fuel on a cross country can be problematic. Having traveled all over the US (military moves) I realized finding premium fuel is not always available, so it may be better for guys that want to do cross country travel to buy the lower compression kit.

As soon as I can find my pistol and ski mask I will be headed to the bank to make a withdrawl for a set.

[SkyPirate]

I can tell you from a very recent experience , MOGAS in the north east , thats non ethanol MOGAS, is $15.00 a gallon and the only place inland that I could find it was at lawn and garden centers in 5 gallon containers, there was 93 octane wanna be MOGAS , ( 5 to 10% ethanol) available at convenient stores and gas stations, my suggestion would be to either use AVGAS, or find a way to use the ethanol laced fuels , some process the ethanol fuel to remove the ethanol, but not all doing cross country flights can afford the weight and space of the tools needed to process it and carry them on board,
I think from now on for my cross country flights, i will switch to a non synthetic oil, and use MOGAS when available and AVGAS when its not, but change my oil after each trip, i do have an ethanol tester on board and i tested all MOGAS before i used it.

[jiott]

Rotax says the Aeroshell Sport +4 oil, semi-synthetic, is good for mogas as well as 100LL. I use it and non-alcohol 91 mogas most of the time, but on cross-countries use 100LL if I have to.

[AirFox]

You guys might think this Mogas link is useful.

http://www.flyunleaded.com/mapusairports.html

flyunleaded dot com/mapusairports dot html Just in case the link doesn't get posted.

[SkySteve]

I too use mogas for local flights and avgas cross country. Just carry some Decalin with you and dump some in when using avgas.

[Slyfox]

Ichange my oil after each trip, i do have an ethanol tester on board and i tested all MOGAS before i used it.

what's that food coloring. that's mine. you put a few drops in your fuel, if it stays drops on the bottom it's without alki. If it mixes, it's got the alki.

[WWhunter]

I took the plunge!!! Check is in the mail!!

After several months of diligent penny scrounging and selling a couple of, no longer needed items, I was able to gather up enough money to mail a check to Jay for the Zipper kit. I was also advised into purchasing the thermostat/housing kit during my many phone conversations with Jay. I had planned on making some type of shutter for my radiator and oil cooler to use during the cooler winter months here in MN (cooler is an understatement).
I am hoping the thermostat alieviates this need. I totally covered my oil cooler with metal ducting tape this past winter and my oil temps were still very low. I have seen someone selling an oil thermostat kit also and may need to add it also if the water thermostat doesn't cure the problem.

It was a great pleasure dealing with Jay and I appreciate all the help he and Hal have given during our conversations. There still are good guys out there....just getting harder to find. I will say Hal and Jay are two of that breed.

To say I am excited in waiting on the Big Bore kits arrival is an understatement!!!