[AJCoholic]

Yeah, I just emailed Sara for a price total, and a new case as well (so I can redo the mount on my AV8R properly) that alone should give me another 15 or so MPH as the drag will decrease so much...

I am also considering sending the engine back to Wren for the upgrades and a "proper" balance on their rig. Even though I have close to 15 hours on my engine, I am allways wondering how good my home balance really is compared to the machine balance...

The only thing I hate to do is ship my engine over there and then have it shipped back, as I just know I will get dinged with tax again... and have to claim it back. Oh well, like you say - its all for the good of the hobby, right??

[nony]

I was looking to go with JR servos...but there are so many choices.....

Kelly, the HS-81 has really tiny gears; tiny gears have tiny teeth which break easily... You're right to keep them for non critical functions....

engine pictures?? How about the new 12 blade compressor?

[Kelly W]

atta' boy Andrew!

Hs-81... I would go with the MG version if I ever needed it for anything more than the smoke pump switch I'm putting in the Hotspot. I was more concerned with the accuracy and quality of the electronics.

If it were going on a retract valve, go metal... I have a pair of HS81MG's on my Twinjet's elevons and they've worked out pretty well. As Wayne said, the plastic gears are pretty weak and mine proved when the stripped on the 2nd landing...

Pictures, I want to see more than a compressor wheel Wayne...

Kelly

[nony]

just a bunch of shiny parts in a box right now........

[JimBrown]

Originally Posted by AJCoholic

The only thing I hate to do is ship my engine over there and then have it shipped back, as I just know I will get dinged with tax again... and have to claim it back. Oh well, like you say - its all for the good of the hobby, right??

Andrew, speak to Sara before the engine is shipped back and ask her to ensure that they put an invoice on the outside of the package (in one of those plastic pouches) that clearly indicates that the engine is being returned from repair, and that clearly indicates the actual cost of the repair. You do still have to pay the taxes on repair costs, but at least you won't be charged taxes on the purchase price! And things go a bit smoother if it is marked "repair" instead of "upgrade".

Last spring, I had a bit of a hassle getting my radio back from the States. It was not shipped with any declaration, so I had to ask the repair place for an invoice, then fax that to the broker before they would release the package. Taxes were for the repair costs only.

Later,
...jim

[AJCoholic]

Well, I am going to go for it Nony! I will ship my rotor assembly only back to Wren (I want them to balance it this time, and then I can compare the smoothness to my original) and get the new compressor and intake, two piece cone and a new case. So, I can ditch the bulky, draggy wood mount and go to a strap mount for my AV8R. Should be able to lose some nose weight, and the tail weight so maybe 1/2 pound can come off the plane, plus the extra 2 lbs thrust should make it awesome!

[nony]

hmm...lighter plane, more thrust, less drag.....that thing outta really scoot........

Only down side i see is that your wallet is going to be lighter too...

[AJCoholic]

Well, it should be about $300 C for the works, including balance and parts.

Thats not too bad...

And maybe next year at the Bay of Quinte my AV8R can keep up to Peter's! (Eicas) His has a Ram 500 and was noticeably faster, I think mainly due to my engine mount and perhaps the drag from my stiffer gear (wires and spring, every little bit hanging in the breeze slows you down right?)

[nony]

not bad for a 16% increase in thrust...but, what will you do when the 18 pounder comes out ????

I don't know if I want to get into a battle of speed here, I'll just go for cool looks..... ( hmmm..if I clip the wings, seal the gaps, put fairings everywhere, retract the nosewheel.......... )

[AJCoholic]

You know, I am not trying to get it to go faster, just a little more oomph for take off will be nice, as currently I use most of the runway, and when I went to the Sault for instance, on the muddy springtime runway I JUST got it off... after 2 aborts. I think the extra 2 lbs will indeed make a difference worth spending the $$ on. Some more vertical will also be fun, and of course, an extra 10 or 15 mph wont upset me either...

I was thinking what an AV8R would be like with 18 lbs thrust... but thats not going to happen. I do however think that engine will be a great seller for them, a P80 (KJ66) thrust in a Wren MW54 package/weight. What a great engine for so many airframes!