Message-ID: <3602696A.95C4BD18@akos.net>
Date: Fri, 18 Sep 1998 10:08:42 -0400
From: Tom Giddings <v35b@akos.net>
To: Lancair Mail List <lancair.list@olsusa.com>
Subject: What,s that in the sky?
Mime-Version: 1.0

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I thought I would take a moment and crow a bit about my return to
aviating again.If any of you recall I added a long mount to my 360 which
took me and several helpers about five months.Along with that
improvement I removed the old throttle quadrant and installed vernier
controls.In addition I built an enclosed plenum for the engine.The
results of the first flight are as follows
1 The long mount had minmal effect on the CG of the aircraft.:(
2 The BIG benefit as far as I can tell is Looks:) and lots of room
behind the engine
3 The closed plenum and the oil cooler plenum delivered the most fruit
for my labors.My air speed was up at least 8knots.YIPPIE.And I finally
have controlled that heat monster we all have under the cowling of these
tightly cowled craft.I could,in 96 degree humid condition ,climb at full
power without going beyond 400 degrees 120knot climb speed.If I dropped
the nose a tiny bit the temp started to come down rapidly to 370 and in
cruise (full throttle and 2450 at 7500 ,outside air 80degrees,348 max
cylinder head temp.Oil temp 191 in climb 175 in cruise:)My true air
speed was 245 mph.I have never seen more than 235 before the
modifications.I have the wing extensions and small Tail. In addition at
145 knots IAS I had a climb rate of 1300 fpm climbing through 4500
.These Numbers are encouraging because I know I can coax a little more
out of the engine because I also had redesigned the intake (ram air and
filtered air combination) which did not work well.I tried to use
filtered air from inside the cowling(to hot) and could only get 26 hg on
take off at sea level(I live in Florida)The lesson is pressurize the
filter box.That is what I had before tinkering and would always get 30
hg at full power taking off at sea level.It is obvious I am getting ram
effect even at takeoff speeds.Well that is it for now.If anyone would
like to know more details or has some suggestions please contact me

 Tom Giddings 360TM
 727 841 8094