Dual STI build log

[yocum137]

Dustin,

I just spent the last 3 days reading your whole thread. You’ve heard it all before, but let me pile on a bit, too: Fantastic job, beautiful plane(s)!

Now that you’re “done” and have had a little time to reflect, what would you do different? What would you do the same?

It seemed like you guys did a ton of work on the electrical system. Now that Kitfox has a 4 pre-wired panel options, would you skip doing it yourself and buy one off the shelf?

Likewise, the cowl work you did to accommodate the EP912sti seemed to be never ending and in the end you aren’t getting high enough temps without taping off the oil cooler. Would you put in smaller NACAs? Not raise the inlet as much, or at all?

Oh, and did you ever add up all your hours?

I hope I can do as nice of work as you’ve done! 👍🏻👍🏻

Thanks,
Dan

[Shadowrider]

Hey Dan thanks for the compliments! Looking back there is not a lot that I would change.

The pre-wired options kitfox is providing is great option for those that don't want to tackle the wiring. Nikk is involved in building them, so seeing his work first hand I know they will be top quality. Not sure if its and option, but we love the vertical power and having an Ipad also. My kids like watching movies as we head out to landing spots, because you are not setting any ground speed records! In fact Friday I was watching cars on the freeway pass me!

Not much I would change doing it over again. One thing I would probably not do was the rheostat for the cabin heater. I think I would just put a switch. Seems like when its cold the heat is on High and when its not cold its off. Maybe wire it like kitfox does with a two position switch. Low is one fan, high is two fans. I would defiantly switch the fans out to higher CFM fans.


On 53TF we ran he exhaust straight out. I went back and changed 33TF to straight out also. It looks better, keeps the exhaust of the gear leg, and I think gives you a little speed. Speed is probably wishful thinking though. Also keeps the Oratex from staining.

As far as cooling I would still leave the bottom lip on and drop the cowl. This provides more exit air so you don't over pressurize the cowl. Also gives you the room to run straight out exhaust. I ran two NACAs for the intercooler and Cory ran one large naca. We have not flown his yet but on the ground runs his intake temps are staying very cool. I think his intake temps are going to be cooler than mine. They will need to be significant for me to go back and change it. His right now are under 100F at 44" map on the ground runs so things are looking good. Update on 53TF is that we have done all the initial tuning and ground runs. Wastegate table is all set and prop pitch is set. We pitched for 5400 RPMS and 44" MAP static. At 60IAS should be around 5600 and 46map. Possible flight testing starting next week. Once in the air, now with the new reg allowing a passenger(crew member) on flight test, I am going to go up and help tune. Nice thing with the Edge ecu as you can dial the egts withing 15F of each other. I am also not a fan of trying to get peak efficiency, so I don't mind burning a little extra fuel to keep the egts down to a more comfortable level.

The edge912STI is a great engine. Amazing power to weight ratio. I can takeoff in about half the distance I can land at. I am getting better at landing, but takeoffs will always be shorter. So, no regrets there. Some ask if I would have gone the EPEX300hp if it was out when we ordered our engine. That would be crazy to have double the HP I have. Not sure I would want to be the first one figuring it out (on a Kitfox) so I would have to say I would still choose the EP912STI.

Brandon from kitfox is saying he wants to do STI photoshoot! Hopefully this happens and we get some cool photos with 3 STIs! Brandon and Heather have been awesome to work with and very helpful on the builds!