Dual STI build log

[Shadowrider]

Thanks for all the suggestion on transport. Transport kit is very pricey. Anyone interested in renting me their kit?

[JoeRuscito]

Awesome. Yea I set the VPX up in the same way. I actually also ran extra power leads flowing the TCW backup battery diagram as well and were waiting to see how your start went. If I ever want to add a back up they are there. Can’t wait to see your first flight!

[efwd]

Don't discount the added benefit of having radio and EFIS should the Battery become a problem in flight. It is after all, a "backup battery". Redundancy has its merits.

[Shadowrider]

Installed new fuell line. CHECK
Windshield installed. CHECK
Turtle Deck Cut and Installed. CHECK
Camlocs installed. CHECK
Flapperon hinges painted. CHECK
Flapperons installed. CHECK
Flapperon tips installed. CHECK
Bootcowl installed. CHECK
Glare-shield built and installed. CHECK
Interior installed. CHECK
Triangle windows installed. CHECK
Data tag made and installed. CHECK


Had a productive week and put in the hours this week. Ever since starting the engine it has helped push me to get this thing done. Thanks Brian for your info on cutting the turtle deck. It worked perfect just how you described. I was able to cut it with a thin slot and still remove it for swinging the wings. I ordered some tinted polycarbonate for the side windows to match the other windows. I polished the center caps for the hub caps and have a friend who is going to lazer engrave them for me. More to come. I extended the aluminum angle pieces so I did not have to notch the glare shield and it slides down below the boot cowl.

Turtle deck is a ton of work. Glad that is done. I was deciding if I should use the hinge, but decided with the hinge you can remove the turtle deck without putting a big cut. I also switched out the hardware for a lower profile button top hardware.


I need to weight it, set the prop, do some power checks, and then get it inspected. All these task will happen at the airport. We are moving it to the airport tonight!! I opted not to use a travel kit. I am going to leave the wings extended and put it on a tilt deck. Going to be a adventure tonight! Technically tomorrow morning. If the weather clears we are going to try at 3am. Good thing I am used to waking up then, but my brothers not so much! We have a friend who is a sherriff who is going to give us a police escort to the airport. Hopefully the next time I report back its sitting in the hangar. Fingers crossed.

[bbs428]

Hope the move goes without a hitch. Glad you have an escort. Your plane looks like a million.

I'm still debating on the vpx myself. I'll have to make that decision sooner than later. It sure makes
for a clean, clutter free instrument panel. I sure like how yours turned out!

[Shadowrider]

3am taxi test.....PASSED.
N33TF is parked in the hangar with no damage. Everything went according to plan. It was 12 miles and it took us about 45 min. 32' wingspan seemed really big when you are pulling it down some small city streets. Didn't realize how many street signs and trees are on the side of the road. We had quite the motorcade going down the road. Glad that is done. I will post more pictures later. Quite the adventure. Next time I think we fold the wings and use the travel kit.

[DesertFox4]

I’m always more nervous trailering than flying a Kitfox. Glad you got it to the hangar safe and sound Dustin.
That’s a nice photo with that lighting.😀

[aviator79]

Beautiful plane Dustin. Looking forward to seeing her fly.

[Shadowrider]

Moved my final inspection up! Monday Sept 23. I "think" I will be ready. Trying this week to finish up paperwork. I have been working on tuning the engine. I have about 1 hour of run time and I am starting to understand the ECU. I started out doing some pulls and thought I had a boost leak. Turns out it was because I was way over-pitched on the prop. I have been adjusting the wastegate on the turbo and I am now starting to build good boost. Saturday I did multiple pulls on it and I am currently at 42 inches of MAP and 5600 rpm. I am going to add another 1 degree of pitch, which will put me at 14 degrees. From there I will see where I am at on rpms and then adjust boost if needed. I have the tail strapped to keep her from leaping down the taxiway. It is a little sketchy running at WOT as I feel the motor is screaming right now. It defiantly gets hot but I am feeling better about cooling. Ran some heat shield, which took the bottom naca from not being able to put my hand on it to cool to the touch. I ran it for about 15 mins doing 5 hard pulls. Water temps peaked at 210f and oil peaked at 163f. OAT was 86f and winds where calm. Intake temps at 42" was running around 110F. Intercooler is getting heat soaked after sitting when the engine is shut off. Intake temps peaked to almost 200F when the engine was shut off and just sitting there. Once I start it and start coming into boost the temps drop all the way down to almost 110F. So intercooler is doing its job and and when in flight I should see quite a bit more drop in temps. Cooler temps=more HP= I am thinking with airflow I will be able to keep temps in limit based on what I am seeing on the ground. At first I was a little skeptical that the 155hp is accurate rating. From one dyno to the next, the numbers can be different based on so many variables. When I was first doing runs and only getting 37 inches of manifold fuel flow peaked at 7.9GPH. Based that the efficiency of this engine compared to the 915 I think fuel flow will give you ball park power rating. I read reports that the 915 peaks at around 10-12 gph. I was only flowing 7.9 which is no where near 10-12. (141hp) I was not sure this edge engine is going to be making 155hp. Looking at the data log, last pull was 42 inches of manifold and fuel flow peaked at 11gph. 47" MAP at WOT and its going to be screaming pretty good, and flowing lots of fuel.....mind changed.

Now that I have run it and done multiple heat cycles my idle is around 1800rpm. Tomorrow I am hoping to bring that back down to 1500-1600 and re-calibrate my TPS. Hopefully I get pitch and boost dialed in. Then its time to drain the tanks and get it weight. My goal has always been sub 900. I may have already weighted it but it had fuel in it. I need to weight it and check the arms for weight and balance. Stay tuned!


Dont mind me....just taking the plane for a spin.


I think she will fit!


She is about ready to rip. For those with a keen eye, oil drain plug is safety wired.





Fuel pump is heat shielded. Some have reported problems with HP heat shield sticking. I wiped down with acetone and have not had a problem.



I may add more heat shield where headers radiate heat. Or I may wrap headers instead.


Here is a shot on how to cut slot for turtle deck. I needed to be able to remove the turtle deck to fold wings. Key is to cut an angle cut toward front of turtle deck so the front turtle deck will come off to swing wings.


Tail strapped for engine runs!

[Shadowrider]

Okay here is my weights. I was hoping for under 900lbs. This is ready to fly minus fuel.

879lbs C.G. 9.72