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roncarolnikko(at)hotmail.
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 Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 8:32 pm Post subject: VW Kitfox Flyers/Rons update |
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Hi paul I have a Kitfox IV Speedster with a 1915cc vw I'll send pics and
info direct if you have questions. Since I have not posted to the group in
a while I'll give a brief update on my vw experiance.
With over 60 hours of trouble free flying it was getting weak. This
turned out to be valve adjustment that I had hoped to go 100 hours between
adjustments. Turns out the advice is right that you should adjust at 25
hours. I also found that with the Valley Engineering redrive it is VERY
easy to set the timing to far advanced. This leads to overheating as well
as hard starting. All in all I am happy again as I am back to flying on
~3gph of 87 octane= $9.00/hour. 2.5 hours this weekend. This winter I will
build a 2275cc VW to replace the 1915cc as it is a little lazy with two
people.
Ron Schick North Bend, Oregon N541KF Kitfox Speedster 1915cc VW Valley
Engineering 1.6:1 redrive, 72" Ivo N117AF Avid Flyer 582 N67779 C152
| Quote: | From: "Paul Morel" <pmorel(at)bellsouth.net>
Reply-To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com
To: <kitfox-list(at)matronics.com>
Subject: VW Kitfox Flyers
Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2007 22:15:10 -0400
Just got a Kitfox IV Speedster still in the building stages and will be
ready for a powerplant in the near future. Originally purchased with the
intent of a Rotax from the previous builder, however I find myself leaning
towards the VW engine. I've heard there are a couple Kitfox IV's flying
with the VW and I would like very much to get some ideas and rough price
costs to power a IV. Anyone out there that has a VW IV that I can exchange
ideas with? Thanks PMorel
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PMorel
Joined: 09 Jul 2007
Posts: 62
Location: Locust Grove, GA USA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:33 am Post subject: VW Kitfox Flyers/Rons update |
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Ron
Thank you so much for the info. The Kitfox 4 I have was orginally purchased
with the intention of placing a Rotax engine for power. I have a neighbor
that purchased an AeroVee for his Sonex and I'm quite impressed with it so
far. After measuring the VW engine, I found that it wouldn't fit into the
KF4 stock cowl. Since you went through this type of transition, I was
hoping you could share with me what I might have to do to install a VW
engine.
Here are a couple of questions I have:
1. Engine mount?
2. Cowl modification or new one to fit the VW? or any other modifications.
3. Engine Torque?
4. Appearance? How does the 4 look with the larger engine?
I would really like to see some pictures. I really would like to make the
VW engine work for my project.
Thanks
Paul
pmorel(at)bellsouth.net
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_________________
Paul Morel
912 Speedster
Locust Grove, GA
www.WingsAirPhotos.com |
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m4785(at)bellsouth.net
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 2:16 pm Post subject: VW Kitfox Flyers/Rons update |
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HI Paul,I have a 2180 mosler VW on my kitfox iv with around 90hrs so far,and running strong.There are some down sides though such as the rotory altenator only seems to put out around 14/15 amps which is ok to charge the battery providing you are not running alot of avionics...so its more like micro managing your important electrical systems,other than this I have plenty of power 82hp at full and can cruise around 95-100 at 2400 rpm using 3.0gph....It still would be nice to put a reduction drive on which great planes sell,but the cowling space is tight & weight factor....same applies to an external altanator....
Anyways good luck..and I luv my VW...
Regards.....Mark N61AC
[quote]
From: "Paul Morel" <pmorel(at)bellsouth.net>
Date: 2007/07/10 Tue AM 08:32:23 EDT
To: <kitfox-list(at)matronics.com>
Subject: Re: VW Kitfox Flyers/Rons update
Ron
Thank you so much for the info. The Kitfox 4 I have was orginally purchased
with the intention of placing a Rotax engine for power. I have a neighbor
that purchased an AeroVee for his Sonex and I'm quite impressed with it so
far. After measuring the VW engine, I found that it wouldn't fit into the
KF4 stock cowl. Since you went through this type of transition, I was
hoping you could share with me what I might have to do to install a VW
engine.
Here are a couple of questions I have:
1. Engine mount?
2. Cowl modification or new one to fit the VW? or any other modifications.
3. Engine Torque?
4. Appearance? How does the 4 look with the larger engine?
I would really like to see some pictures. I really would like to make the
VW engine work for my project.
Thanks
Paul
pmorel(at)bellsouth.net
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PMorel
Joined: 09 Jul 2007
Posts: 62
Location: Locust Grove, GA USA
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 2:38 pm Post subject: VW Kitfox Flyers/Rons update |
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Mark
Thanks for the insight and reply. I'm looking at all the different engines
before I make my decision on the powerplant. Another question that I really
don't know the answer to is how a VW engine will affect the resale value of
the plane. I know we rarely think about selling the planes we build but the
bottom line is all planes get sold sooner or later. Will the Kitfox bring a
better price with a Rotex rather than a VW engine. I realize there are many
more contributing factors involved here, but this is just one more thing to
take into consideration.
Paul
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Paul Morel
912 Speedster
Locust Grove, GA
www.WingsAirPhotos.com |
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wingnut
Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 356
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 3:45 pm Post subject: Re: VW Kitfox Flyers/Rons update |
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| Quote: | | Will the Kitfox bring a better price with a Rotex rather than a VW engine. |
I did not build my fox so I did allot of shopping around on the used market before I found mine. At the time that I was looking, every model IV that I looked at that did not have a 912 in it was listed in the low 20s. The ones with the 912 were listed in the high 20s to low 30s. When I found one for $29, I purchased it sight unseen from across the country just based on the pictures. I passed on a couple of subaru powered model IVs (and one model V) for much less money because of the perceived advantages of the 912. I might have considered a Jabiru powered model but I never found one for sale.
I think that you're wise to consider resale. The used market is brutal for experimentals. Except for the most popular models, they often sell for less than the price of the kit. This is one of the reasons I chose not to build. Also, I think that people who buy used will lean heavily towards whatever they perceive to be the most 'conventional' or proven combination. That was my approach when I was shopping.
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
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_________________
Luis Rodriguez
Model IV 1200
Rotax 912UL
Flying Weekly
Laurens, SC (34A) |
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m4785(at)bellsouth.net
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 4:07 pm Post subject: VW Kitfox Flyers/Rons update |
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paul
I would definetly consider resale value,without me spewing on to much...lol,I like my VW for a few reasons and one is the cost,you can by a new factory VW for around $6000.00 with a TBO time of 1000-1500 hrs,as opposed to the 912/914 rotax running around $15000.00 to $20000.00.
However if I had to do things over and had more money I would have probably gone with the 912s rotax just because it has more power to the prop with a better climb ratio...but it is what it is...lol
It all depends on what you want and how much you want to spend,in the end it is all relative,you still will have more in your plane than you will get back,so I call that...flying down the depreciation....lol
Good hunting..........
Regards..........Mark N61AC
[quote]
From: "Paul Morel" <pmorel(at)bellsouth.net>
Date: 2007/07/20 Fri PM 06:37:07 EDT
To: <kitfox-list(at)matronics.com>
Subject: Re: Re: VW Kitfox Flyers/Rons update
Mark
Thanks for the insight and reply. I'm looking at all the different engines
before I make my decision on the powerplant. Another question that I really
don't know the answer to is how a VW engine will affect the resale value of
the plane. I know we rarely think about selling the planes we build but the
bottom line is all planes get sold sooner or later. Will the Kitfox bring a
better price with a Rotex rather than a VW engine. I realize there are many
more contributing factors involved here, but this is just one more thing to
take into consideration.
Paul
---
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Lynn Matteson
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan
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| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 8:47 am Post subject: VW Kitfox Flyers/Rons update |
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On Jul 20, 2007, at 7:45 PM, wingnut wrote:
| Quote: |
I might have considered a Jabiru powered model but I never found
one for sale.
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Maybe that tells you something right there, eh? : )
Lynn Matteson
Grass Lake, Michigan
Kitfox IV Speedster w/Jabiru 2200
flying w/369+ hrs
do not archive
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_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM |
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