Ken Powell wrote:

Mark,
Hang in there on making this work.  Here are some ideas:  note that you
should be able to save 5 - 10 lbs over Tracy's motor mount, use a permanent
magnet alternator (only weighs 4 lbs including rectifier) to save 6 lbs,
use in-tank fuel pumps with the fuel filters adjacent to the tanks, move
the battery all the way to the tailcone (heck, put both batteries in the
tailcone!), use a peripheral port intake (save ~ 4 - 5 lbs), note that the
exhaust systems being worked on by Tracy, Ed, and others move the muffler
rearward a lot (this will affect the CG a little).  As you can see, the CG
can be moved around a lot.  I am moving the engine CG 4" forward in my RV-4
and have played a lot of 'CG' games to make sure that I am OK.  I found
that on a RV-4 the engine CG can be moved 6" forward and still meet Van's
CG specs of with max Aft baggage, minimum fuel and a single 110 lb pilot
(worse case scenario - in case my wife decides to get her pilot license-
not likely but miracles do occasionally happen).  All of this should allow
you to leave the radiators under the cowl to simplify things.  IIRC, the
Vision is a 2-place side-by-side, so putting the radiators up front will
really simplify the installation.  Be sure to check out the drawings that
Paul has built and put on his website.

Ken Powell

 
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