N195AK Construction Log

Mike,
From you email it looks like you are considering using an LS6 Chevy engine (Helicor V400). I went to their website to have a look because as I mentioned I am thinking of using a Chevy engine as well in a Moose.
The Helicor website doesn't give any specifics about their PSRU. From the picture it looks a like a chain drive unit though the Quebec firm they list as a manufacturer suggests it may be a gear drive. Do you know any more about the PSRU?
The price seems fairly steep-40k plus prop plus some basic accessories. Total out at 60 to 70k, and still no mount.

The whole firewalll forward unit that Predator Aviation was promoting for the RV-7 or RV-10 is listed at 30k comments ?

Chris

Actually the PSRU is a gear unit made by Rasakti. Rasakti makes gear reduction units and parts for turbine engines, so one would hope that a gear box of this type would be easy stuff for them. It has some nice safety features I haven't seen on other units.

I was hoping to fly their demonstrator last year, but due to an illness in the family, their participation in the Alaska Airman's airshow was cancelled.

You're right, it's definately not cheap... but then I have a friend who built his own V8 and has spent nearly $40K going that route. And if you priced a new Lycoming firewall forward, you could spend $60K easily and still fall far short of the performance you'd see with this engine.

I'm certainly not locked into any engine decision at this point in the game, but this is one that I am going to watch closely and seriously consider.

Anybody else interested in reading more about this engine can find it here... http://www.aerotekaviation.ca/mot-Intro-e.html

_________________

010010010010011101100100001000000111001001100001
011101000110100001100101011100100010000001100010
011001010010000001100110011011000111100101101001
011011100110011100100001

Mike,

I am still debating with myself and my (potential ) Moose construction partner about the engine. I understand someone has already built a Moose using an LS1 or similar engine. I think it is the one owned by a Davie on the Murphy site. I emailed them but didn't get a reply. Do you know anyone with experience with this kind of engine in an airplane-especially a Moose?

Do you know if the cowling for the Lycoming 540 will fit over the Helicor set-up? It would obviously save some money if it did.

Another source of a PSRU is EPI engineering. They have an interesting web site and when I spoke to the owner he seemed quite knowledgable and helpful. Have you heard of them?

The LS1 type engine seems much better than the loud radial or expensive Lycoming in so many ways- I and especially my partner just need to be convinced by someone with experience.

Chris

Hi Chris, there are a number of builders out there putting V8's on Moose. I'm not aware of any that are flying yet however. One builder just a few miles from my house is finishing up with a custom built aluminum V8 and just might be flying this year. There have been a number of discussions about putting a V8 on the Moose on the Rebel Builder's List over the last couple of years... it would be worth your time to search the list archives to see what's there. You can access the list archives here: https://www.dcsol.com/login. Enter "rebel" for the username and "builder" for the password when prompted. Click on "Mail" on the top of the page, then "Rebel Archives"... now click on "Rebel Builders" to bring up the builder's list archives, and finally click "Search". I would recommend searching the message body as this will get you the most results. Sometimes when a thread gets going on the list the subject doesn't always match the content.

You've already seen the Helicor motor, but here's another worth looking at: http://www.v8seabee.com/v8_powered_aircraft.asp

_________________

010010010010011101100100001000000111001001100001
011101000110100001100101011100100010000001100010
011001010010000001100110011011000111100101101001
011011100110011100100001