Allen Sutphin

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Everything posted by Allen Sutphin



  1. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic HKS install   

    Pedro, thanks for the heads up on the HKS group. Yes, I've seen the video and looked at the files section. Just about got the new intakes made. Waiting on some materials from Aircraft Spruce to finish them. I don't need anymore stuff blocking the view over the nose. A couple air scoops on the sides to help feed air to the carbs should help. Intake/oil cooler situation just about worked out. Next on to the exhaust and to do some minor modification to make it fit. A pet peeve of mine is cutting up a good cowling and sticking stuff on the outside instead of taking the time to make everything fit inside.  I understand that sometimes its unavoidable and have to do it. No offense to anyone but I kind of take performance opinions with a grain of salt. Different people have different opinions on what they expect to get from a certain engine. Factory horsepower numbers can be misleading depending on how they were acquired. A proper gearbox/prop combination can make or break an engine reputation. In the end, if a pilot is satisfied with his aircraft and the way it performs, then I am tickled to death for him. Take the same aircraft and let another pilot fly it and all of a sudden its a dog. We pilots can be a funny breed sometimes! On looks along, the HKS is a neat looking little engine and even connected and flyable it is a clean looking engine. Some engines look like a can of worms with all the hoses, wires, and sensors.
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  2. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Microburst strobe and position lights   

    They are good quality lights and bright. As with most strobes you will generally hear the flash in the radio. Not really a big deal breaker, though.
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  3. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic HKS install   

    Did join the HKS engine group. A lot of information on there as well. And seen Jim Chuk's name on there as well.
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  4. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic HKS install   

    Have a 70" Warp Drive 2 blade hanging on the wall. Correct rotation, just need a 2" prop extension to make it fit. Could possibly go with a 72" if I had to. The oil cooler will fit good right in front with a couple custom made brackets.
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  5. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic HKS install   

    My intakes won't quite be that short (as the red ones) but a little shorter than the long curved ones. And a slight S curve to them. The oil cooler has room to live under the engine mount and I generally wrap all my exhaust pipes with heat wrap to lessen the heat in the cowl. I generally stay away from some online sites due to negative comments about everything that someone is using or trying.  Very few negative comments on this group though, which is one reason its a great group to be on. Most are very supportive! There are a few model 4 Foxes flying with a 503 so a model 2 should do fine with an HKS. I am not looking for nosebleed performance.
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  6. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic HKS install   

    Didn't know there was a group on HKS's. Thanks!
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  7. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic HKS install   

    I considered that but that would drop the engine even lower. Plus there are 2 brackets that mount on top of the carbs to mount the cables which raise it another inch. Got myself a plan (haven't we all heard that) for new intake manifolds which put the carbs in the same position as they are on a 912 which is to the rear. They will be shorter and straighter than the stock manifolds but shouldn't cause a problem. A couple air scoops on the side would provide airflow if needed. Better than on top which blocks the view even more. One problem at a time. More will arise, I am sure. I did weigh the engine minus exhaust and oil cooler and it was 110 lbs. So it will be pretty close the advertised weight of 121 lbs.
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  8. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic HKS install   

    Some pictures of the HKS trial fit. Then I took the carbs off. New manifolds might do the trick.



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  9. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic HKS install   

    Will try to get a couple pictures today. Need to do some more head scratching or other body parts. Maybe set the carbs and filters in position as a 912 has them.
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  10. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic HKS install   

    True, intakes can cause strange things to happen. If one gets carried away with length, uneven flow or some other weird adaptation. I only need a straight intake tube instead of a 180 degree bend so not that difficult to do. As far as mine looking good, after seeing yours and how good it looks, I take that as a gold compliment.
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  11. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic HKS install   

    My cowl is the NSI Subaru cowl and the mount is the standard 503/582 mount I got from TJay.  My prop hub sets about 2" below center of the round opening. My cowl is about 8-10" longer than the standard cowl for a model 2. According to Chris Hatin of HKS the intakes are standard carbon steel and I am guessing that no length requirements are recommended, since the intakes are just a travel tube for the mixture, unless they are longer than a two week payday. Look at the cowling length of the nose bowl and one can see the extra length. Disregard the engine and prop, the old Hirth.

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  12. Allen Sutphin added a topic in 4-strokes   

    HKS install
    Well, engine is sitting in the Fox on the alum plate. Carbs are about 2" too high so maybe new intake manifolds to move the carbs. Plus a few other things that will have to be modified such as exhaust pipes, oil cooler, 2" prop extension added, and the list goes on. Maybe time to do some soul searching if I want to go thru all this or throw in the towel.
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  13. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Inspection covers location   

    An A&P who is familiar with Avid/Foxes knows how to look and what to look for in a wing on a Avid/Fox. On of the reasons that I don't do condition inspections on aircraft that I am not experienced on. Not a lot different than the old rag and tube planes that I fool with. Composites are ones that I won't touch due to way too many variables in construction methods.
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  14. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Inspection covers location   

    I've got 2 in my left wing. One for the pitot attachment and one where it goes thru the spar.
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  15. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Alum plate   

    Still a little ways to go. Have to sandwich an oil cooler in there somewhere along with an oil tank and several other items. No wonder these kit companies charge a small fortune for FWF installation kits. A lot of time is involved in making everything fit.
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  16. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Alum plate   

    Well, got the motor plate completed. It fits the engine and it fits the motor mount, now if all three fit together!
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  17. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Scottsbluff area Avid owner   

    Highly unlikely!!! Depends on what it is registered as now.
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  18. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Fabric in wings oil can   

    Many fabric/wood wings will do that simply because the wing HAS to flex some in flight. It doesn't take much flex to have the fabric go less than taunt between the ribs. If one could actually see how much the wing moves in flight, it would probably scare a person. If it didn't flex, that would scare me more.
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  19. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Alum plate   

    Made a lot of shavings today out of an expensive piece of metal. Surprised myself, it turned out pretty darn good. Next thing is to cut out the sump hole in the middle. All six lord mounts lined up and fit so I figured I'd better quit for the day. I love it when a plan comes together!
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  20. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Carburetor issue.   

    Unfortunately I have heard stories just like yours. I actually seen on fresh rebuild that bolts were finger tight only. The best carb boots are from JBM industries in Ohio. He makes them out of a different material than standard Rotax boots. They last about twice as long as normal and seem unaffected by sunlight. Plus they are cheaper also.
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  21. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic HKS Install   

    Thanks, but unfortunately I still do W&B the old way. That was the way I learned 40 yrs ago in A&P school and I guess I'll continue that way. Computers and I don't make good friends since my puter is almost as old as I am. I even still use the old whiz wheel for flight and fuel problems. The batteries in it haven't failed yet and its 40 yrs old. I appreciate the offer but I am too old school for the easier way. Besides the engine has to go where it will fit or I can make it fit. Not a lot of wiggle room to play with. I was a tad tail heavy to start with when I used the Hirth. Including my 18 lb engine mount.  Yea, I know! Overkill!
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  22. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic 912 fuel pump   

    Thanks! Then that is what I'll use. I've got a couple on the shelf. When I get caught up enough to work on the Fox. Seems I am like a dog chasing its tail lately. Just not enough time in a day. I did send the Challenger airframe down the road, basically give it away to get it out of my hair.
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  23. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic 912 fuel pump   

    Thanks, don't know much about 912's. What I am figuring out is if a standard pulse pump that we use on 582's and such will work on the HKS. It has the pulse ports on the intakes for a pulse pump but the HKS pump, which I don't have, is very similar to the mikuni dual pump. And the pressure and flow is almost the same. Of course, I always use an electric back-up pump.
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  24. Allen Sutphin added a topic in 4-strokes   

    912 fuel pump
    Can anybody tell me if a 912 uses a pulse pump or not, and if so is it the standard pulse pump we all use?
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  25. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Alum plate   

    That's my plan of attack.
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