SuberAvid gets re-powered (again)

[SuberAvid 629]

I got the sign-off on 'SuberAvid' in 2010 but it seems like I have never stopped making changes to it.  What a great test bed.  That is one of the greatest things about building your own experimental airplane!  This spring I pulled the Rotax 912 ULS and installed an Edge Performance 912 STi.  For those unfamiliar with this motor, it is a new Rotax 912 that Edge Performance tricks out by welding the crank, installing oil squirters, new pistons, fuel injection, turbo and intercooler, engine management controller, etc. and it ends up about 155 HP.  I also installed a Sensenich 82" ground adjustable prop. 

After quite a bit of on and off of the engine to fit it up, remove old parts, rearranging the firewall layout, fit in new parts, adding some new instruments, building plenums, ducting for the intake air and intercooler, fuel lines, reworking wiring, mounting parts, etc, etc, it finally came together,  Initially the EGT's were too high but it is kind of cool that I was able to connect the supplied tuning cable to my laptop and connect by zoom meeting to the USA dealer,  Michael Busenitz, and he can adjust the fuel rates to each individual fuel injector,  After several sessions of adjusting and flying we were able to get the EGT temps exactly where we wanted them.

I have about 30 hours on it now and needless to say it makes quite a difference and leaves you grinning!

Attached are some of the installation progress and completion pictures.

[1avidflyer 2051]

Wow!  pretty impressive.  Did you build that two piece motor mount?  Bet it really sets you back in the seat.  JImChuk

[Av8r3400 1188]

For the guy who never wanted a Rotax you have come full circle.  Congratulations.  LOL.

I look forward to a comprehensive review of the Edge engine.  (It will probably be my replacement, less the turbo, when the Mangy's Zipper has had enough)

Edited 25 Aug 2024 by Av8r3400

[TJay 1066]

Wow Awesome work and I bet it flies Pun Intended

[ChrisBolkan 152]

Absolutely gorgeous!

[SuberAvid 629]

Jim, Leni built the motor mount; It is the same one as used for the carbed 912 I took off it.

Larry, too funny; you are absolutely right.   .   I will write some more on the engine soon.

[Ed Spear 1]

Hey Randy

Do you have any updates on performance?

 

[SuberAvid 629]

It's been a long time since I have been on the forum so thought I better get on here and check out what is going on and give a little update on the Edge Performance 912 STi install in my baby.  It is surprising that you can get used to the new power level that this has but I suppose that is normal for about anything.  I is fun to hear the comments from folks that I have flown in it though.  One friend said that it is the only airplane that he has flown in that feels like it goes up like a ballon, lol.  I will say that it gives you confidence that if you can successfully land in a spot, you will be able to take off shorter than you landed.  

The engine has been flawless so far.  It starts and runs pretty much like a car.  I do preheat it when it is below freezing, and it fires up and runs smoothly immediately, probably because of the fuel injection.  With the extra power it will definitely cruise faster than it did, but it does seem to burn a bit more fuel.  It maxes out at about 110 mph now (it is a very draggy airplane). With the 115 HP 912 w/ zipper kit it would max out around 95 mph. I don't know if the higher fuel burn is because of the engine or the different prop.  I did have Michael Busenitz, the USA dealer for Edge Performance, up the fuel flow to the injectors through the ECU because I did not like the EGT's running above 1500 degrees F.  The EGT temps seem to have dropped also as the engine has broken in so I could probably have him lean it out some now and that might help some on the fuel burn.  He can do this remotely connecting by Zoom through my laptop connected into the ECU, Anyway, fuel burn is around .5 to 1 GPH higher.  Takeoff is pretty fun; full power, push stick forward to raise the tail then pull full flaps and stick back at the same time. (that's about how long it takes if you are fairly light).  The climb angle feels pretty insane until you get used to it.  Climb is about 1300 FPM with the prop set to turn 5200 rpm.  I have not set the prop to the flattest setting to see what it does closer to the 5800 rpm redline.  I am not sure it would increase rate of climb much, but it would probably increase the angle of climb (it is already pretty crazy).  It is just not practical to fly it with the prop set that flat if you want to get anywhere.  The boost level seems to be pretty mild; the manifold pressure at full power is about 42" Hg and about 26" Hg at cruise power, so it really isn't boosting at cruise power (most of my flying has been 3000 ft. and below).

The engine has used very little oil so far, less that a quart between oil changes.  The only squawk I have encountered so far is the return spring on the turbo waste gate broke,  i noticed this while looking the engine over the other day while installing my heat collector behind the radiator for winter flying.  I don't know exactly when that happened, I fixed it but never noticed any difference in the engine performance or manifold pressures.

I am very happy with the motor so far. Of course, I would like to get better fuel mileage, but it still has good range for my flying, and I can always put the drop tanks on if needed.  That said, my original engine, the Subaru, got the best fuel mileage; it would stay in level flight at 1.7 gph.  But it was a completely different plane back then; shorter wings, no slats, shorter landing gear, no shocks, much smaller tires, etc...

[Av8r3400 1188]

That's awesome, Randy!  Congratulations on the win!