Aaron

I get that alot. I spin 'round way too fast and blow lots of hot air.

This is from your notes on the turbo plumbing in Chapter 23 "Anyway, back to the turbo. I was working my way around the housing with the blasting gun when something occurred to me. The housing looks totally symetrical, except for the outlet. Sure enough, the bolts just clamp the housing in place, so you can orient it anywhichway you like. I reinstalled it with the outlet pointing down instead of up. This solves the cowl interference problem while also shortening and simplifying the run from the turbo to the intercooler. " Sounds like you clocked the turbo (changed the orientation of intake side and exhaust side) for a better fit. Whats the orientation of the oil inlet and outlet? I think they are designed to be flow through top-bottom. Are you sure you didn't switch the oil inlet for the outlet by mistake? They are usually marked. Are you using the stock oil and water connection points for the turbo to the block? Do you have any good pics showing the turbo and it's plumbing? Is the center section (especially the lines going into it) shielded from the exhaust? Be sure the lines for oil and water have no restrictions on them, it looks like theres an ugly weld or crimp on the water line in this pic.

"Better to be down here wishing I was up there than up there wishing I was down here" It makes more sense for flyers than fallers though- there's not a whole lot of time to be wishing when things go wrong in a skydive. Big congrats, this is the start of a whole new journey for you. Don't forget your web-journal now that you're flying-we need to know what happens next.

I picked up an old RX7 engine in dallas in my car (Audi A4) Thinking no problems, this thing is tiny. Well with all the accesories bolted on it's not so tiny, It was a major Pita to get it in there, and then get it out again. How high is the lift gate on that SUV? make sure they have a cherry picker to help get it in there. Cheers, Aaron

And when it's not filled with plane parts you can use it to make beef jerky I also like the idea of the automotive paint shop from the mailing list. rent it out over a holiday and just cook the whole bird.

I'd agree in a chrysler, where the turbo is essentially unshielded and airflow under the hood is slower than in the plane. Radiative effects vary with the 3rd or 4th power of the temp difference. In other words the heat radiated from a turbo at 1500 F is 30 times greater than the heat moved from a heat shield at 400F. I'd have to ask your engineer, but I think in general automotive heat transfer is designed around stop and go driving conditions, where the flowrates of air under hood are minimal. This would also make radiative effects more important. But your post does bring up an important point- the only way to know is to do.

If you need to talk about this heat prob though, its good to use the right terms: Light->Radiant Fluid->Convective Solid->Conductive I know you know these terms but it is good for everyone to know them. A nice looking silica fabric/composite heat shield: http://www.hannestrnka.com/heat_shield.htm Note he's left it the natural flat black. Painting it white would reduce the amount of heat radiated to the cowling, but heres the other thing about heat transfer conductive effects & convective effects >> radiative effects So, work on getting the shields air-gapped, work on getting them sealed, and then worry about paint and reflective surfaces would be my opinion on the matter. No PhD on heat trans here, just a lowly BS. But I've got a great library of heavy books on the subject

Of John taxiing down the runway as we shoot off champagne bottles, splattering champagne all over his beautiful bird... What a sticky mess that would be. And skydivers DO modify it to "Beverage of Choice" nowadays, they're not as hard partyers as they were back in the days of yore...

I know skydivers have plenty of superstitions and rituals, but I'm not indoctrinated yet in ways of pilots so your customs are strange for me. In case it is bad luck to wish you luck; I'll keep last names out of it. I just wanted to say congrats on having an airplane John, what a long strange trip it has been for you , and thanks for documenting it so carefully! If you were a skydiver, I'd have only one thing to say: [Extends arms out, palms up as if carrying a case of beer] Beer!

Rui you are officially NOT invited to come skydiving with me But I know how you feel I find I never fully understand it until I can teach it to a 5 year old.

i'll get there, eventually [blush] anyone want to give me 10 large so I can get started?? I'll set myself up as a 503c if it helps

but by day I'm a Chemical Engineer doing simulation work for the industry. I like this hobby because it seems to attract the fringe elements from all professions, no one in their right mind would do whay you guys are attempting (and I will attempt one day)

Sorry it's an inside/voodoo/tech support joke. I work in tech support for software, once I overheard a colleage say to a customer: "OK, you're going to need a live chicken. Cut off it's head and spray your computer case and keyboard liberally with it's blood. The keyboard is the key-demons spirits sometimes stick underneath the 'W' key. When that is done, reboot the computer and it will be fine."

I'm thinkin of giving this a try, why not!

I was looking through Johns site a few days ago and found some info on making fiberglass tubes using PVC, sandblasting sand, an innertube and a live chicken... At least I think it was a live chicken... I can't find it now, anyone have any info/details on this method? Does it work well for tubes curved in 3 dimensions? BTW, John, sounds like you had an exciting weekend!

Search yahoo groups for DEFIANT_FLYERS Defiant, etc you should fine em.

No maybe about it. Accelerating less air faster takes more power for the same thrust.

Dust are there any identifying marks on the Turbo? If so you might be able to find a rebuild kit for the turbo, assuming the housings aren't badly cracked. If the housings are cracked, then the ID numbers will hopefully lead you to a compressor map, which will help a turbo manuf size one for your engine. Congrats on getting this far! blue skies, Aaron

Hey Chris, Building is sidlined, I'm trying to return to the air. For now, it looks like skydiving will be the extent of my airtime. Perhaps once you and Nathan show me some end product I might be able to start building Glad to hear about the wings, sounds like you're making progress!

I know your first flight will be uneventful, no offense intended. Speaking of first flights, does anyone know if Richter's CozyJet has had it's first flight yet?

I know I speak for many when I say thanks for keeping up with your Blog (webpage, whatever you want to call it). By honestly and fully recounting every step and misstep along the way you've given us insight into the journey many of us are either just starting or are still contemplating. I just wanted to say that well, before it's too late. Be safe, good luck!

Just checking in to see everyone's progress. Slade, I think you were at 99% some time ago, are you dissasembling the plane now I notice Greg Richter put up a short blurb about his Cozyjet, anyone have more info on this? has he flown it yet? CBarber, hows that kit working out for you? get your engine squared away yet? Nathan, hows the new house?

Runner shape and length can be changed, but use caution when doing so. The runners should be of equal length relative to each other, this helps ensure each cylinder makes equal power. Note there is an optimum runner length that will maximize power depending on the engine RPM, displacement, runner diameter, etc. Also note nothing is absolute, many automotive applications ignore the equal runner concept alltogether. I think Bingleis touches on exhaust design in Firewall Forward. Definitely get some input from someone familiar with turbo continentals, they'll be able to tell you alot more than people here on this forum.

But do you have a second light in the nose? You put the board up for take-off, right? Do you have any pictures? I'd love to see how it looks.

We see this all the time in car-related forums. We see Audi VS. BMW, which performance chip is better, etc. People get emotionally invested in their purchases and they feel the need to prove they made THE right choice. Bottom line is there are LOTs of great choices out there. Some are good for Dust, some are good for CBarber, hopefully one is good for me (anyone know the Lotto numbers today?). I know of one Cozy Builder who, after 5 years, got tired and decided to use some AeroCanard parts. His plane, his choice. He tells me that other Cozy personalities have looked at his plane, wrinkled their nose, and said "Nice looking plane, except for that turtleback." Way to be supportive. Instead of saying the other choices are wrong, lets try to understand why the builder made that choice.