Subject: I was not happy with todays run up
From: paul lamar
Date: 6/15/2016, 3:45 PM
To: A10-Me-Earthlink



   First our static engine RPM was only 5200 RPM.

   The 82 inch prop was turning  only 1730 RPM
   at 5200 RPM so the prop tips are only going 415 MPH.
   Normally they get closer to Mach One at static RPM.

   The 82 inch diameter static prop RPM IMHO should be higher.
   I suspect the exhaust manifold by pass one inch hole is too
   large. Our boost was only 5 psi. IMHO that should be closer
   to 20 psi.  5 psi is about the boost you get in a stock
   1995, 280 HP RX7 turbo.

   We have a couple of heavy duty platform scales and
   if we measure the landing gear weights we can calculate
   the the prop torque and hence the HP.

   We can also measure the static thrust with a calibrated garage
   door spring I have.

   I suspect the engine was not tuned for prop load.

   We know the mixture was too lean as we richened
   it up and got another 1000 RPM when it was 4000 RPM.

   We got it so rich there was raw fuel in the exhaust
   so it caught fire after we shut it off. Fortunately no
   damage to the airplane. Quick response by a
   few people with fire extinguishers close by.

   We also found the waste gate was beginning to open
   at this modest boost level. Very very strange!!!

   There are a few things we can try. IMHO make
   that hole in the manifold smaller or do away
   with it altogether.

   Nils Castillo has been our Motec guy and he is doing
   wonderful work. The Motec system is rather easy to
   tune as there is a PC USB interface. Unfortunately it
   needs to be tuned when the prop is not stalled.

   What would be better is a manual mixture and waste
   gate controls on the instrument panel complete
   with LCD displays of O2, MAP and waste gate position.
   Basically a cockpit PC tap into the Motec. Perhaps a tablet ap
   would do the trick.

   So far the water cross counter flow cooling system is working great
   except I suspect we still have steam pockets. It is labeled engine
   temperature in the data log attached and never got over
   106 degrees F. The sensor is in the hot pipe coming
   out of the engine. Obviously we still have modest HP.

   The oil temperature is a little above room temperature
   and we ran the engine today six times in the space
   of two hours. It takes a lot to heat 4 gallons of oil.

   Paul Lamar

   Paul,  That sounds very much like a rotary.  Sooo close and yet troubles.
   Makes me feel better at least with all the grief I had to wade through.
   Neil.

   The fundamental problem is you don't know the prop load until you
   get the prop on there and fly it. It is a software problem.

   If the EFI measured a wide band O2 sensor and adjusted the
   mixture accordingly that might work better than using a dyno
   to set the mixture. I don't know if a Motec or the one you
   are using will do that.

   A carb measures the air flow into the engine and adjusts the
   mixture accordingly.

   All automotive systems use a mass airflow sensor to measure
   the air flow and air temperature into the engine.

   The air temperature in a turbo installation changes rapidly
   as the turbo speeds up. The air is heated as it is compressed.

   Check out this chart.

   We do not have a mass air flow sensor on the TTC engine.
   So the Motec uses intake manifold pressure and temperature
   to adjust the mixture. I don't think that works as well as a mass
   airflow sensor. It might be hard to find a mass airflow sensor
   that could handle 650 HP.

   Tracy did the same thing in the air but the feed back was too crude so it
   could take up to a year to get it right.

   I could be wrong about all this and our main problem is that
   manufactured hole
   in the exhaust manifold.  Kyle Mohan that runs a 800HP 3 rotor in the
   in the drift competition tells me holes in the exhaust manifold is
   old school :-)


   Paul Lamar

Paul

How about a MAF from a Z06 Corvette?. Readily available from a speed shop. Should handle the airflow.

Alan Mullen
Colorado


What is the diameter of the MAF?
What was the max HP?

Was that an LT4?

Paul Lamar


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