Hi Frank,
Sorry for the late response - I've been "enjoying" the opportunity of
re-plastering the ceiling in the front room and not looked at my mail!
It is true that I have developed a sleek new cowl, but I am creating a
"Custom Special" Europa, so nothing I am doing is compatible with the
standard Europa - so unfortunately, my cowl won't fit the standard XS or
Classic.
Having read your posting, I think that you need to realise that the
Europa is moving into it's twilight years and it is unlikely that the
factory will hold a full spares inventory for the older classic. The
company is not (and never has been) as large as BMW!
The radiators are really not a problem as there are many companies that
can re-create one from a pattern - and most likely for a lot less money
than Europa will charge. Docking Radiators at Siverstone is just one
example.
With regards to an inter-cooler, I am in the process of doing this
myself so have investigated many of the options that you have
considered. It is possible for me because I have developed a
tail-dragger undercarriage that has allowed me to delete all of the
standard Europa undercarriage and engine mounting frames - freeing up
space and saving weight for a firewall mounted water radiator and
inter-cooler
It is true that the standard 914 runs very hot induction air and that a
theoretical benefit could be gained from fitting a suitably sized
inter-cooler to bring down the induction charge temperature. Everything
in aviation is a compromise and the fact is that in order to bring the
temperate down to where you would notice a benefit, would require a
cooler too big (and heavy) to fit into the available space. You also
need to consider routing ducted air to and from the radiator in order to
transfer the heat efficiently - and there is just no space under the
cowls of either of the standard Europa versions.
Out of interest, the 914 only runs with full turbo charging for the last
15% of throttle opening (usually during the climb), for the rest of the
time the wastegate is partially or fully open, so you would be carrying
a large weight penalty for a very little benefit. As mentioned
elsewhere, the 914 runs very nicely so there is a strong argument that
"if it aint broke, don't fix it".
Bob Harrison of this parish has fitted one, but it is very small due to
space limitations - you could ask him if he notices any difference?
I'll be showing my fuselage with cowl and undercarriage at the
forthcoming LAA rally (I'll be next to the Europa Club stand), so if you
are curious, come along for a chat.
Nigel
PS - I'll send you a photo off list.
On 14/08/2014 16:09, David Joyce wrote:
> <davidjoyce@doctors.org.uk>
>
> Frank, I a sure one of our Classic members will oblige with the
> radiator measurements, and you may even strike lucky and find someone
> with spare radiators. Have you seen Nigel Graham's cowling design
> which is built round a 914 but incorporates a lot of design features
> that will make it significantly more efficient? (Was at the Rally last
> year). Certainly if I was starting again I would abandon the
> moderately attractive Classic cowlings and get some of his design,
> which are truly beautiful ! As to the intercooler, it seems to me that
> the 914 works very nicely as it is and is perfectly matched to the
> Europa. It also means that the 914 is immune to carb icing (in my
> experience personally , having flown in plenty of carb ice favouring
> conditions, and having heard of no convincing instance of carb icing
> from anyone else). An intercooler is going to add weight and a few
> horsepower, which make very little difference to top end performance.
> Improved propeller characteristics, building light, reducing external
> and internal drag all probably have a more important bearing on
> performance.
> Regards, David Joyce G-XSDJ
>
>
> "spcialeffects" <spcialeffects@aol.com> wrote:
>> <spcialeffects@aol.com>
>>
>> So here i am again posting on our forum, to ask questions which can
>> not be answered by the company who made my kit. Before i continue i
>> would like to say that.........if i drove a 1960's BMW and went into
>> BMW's today to ask for a part, for that 50 year old car, they would
>> look on their computer or micro fish and tell me "we dont have that
>> in stock but we can get it for you" or words to that effect. The
>> reason for this is because they have a drawing of it, which can be
>> recalled, to either order one OR make one. HOWEVER after a
>> disappointing phone call to europa today i find out that they do not
>> have technical drawings for the port and stbd radiators that were
>> used on the original classic. In their defence, or rather Karen's
>> defense, i don't expect them to have any on the shelf (which she did
>> have, just one possibly port) but i do expect that they have drawings
>> of them for existing customers who are flying their machines and
>> will, at some point, experience failure. So to my question. I am
>> building kit 165 a europa classic. I have the original cowls and want
>> to use them as i like the look of them as opposed to the XS style or
>> Nev's new design (no offense nev) BUT europa are unable to supply me
>> with drawings and measurement's so that i can get the two radiators
>> fabricated. I am also fitting a Rotax 914 engine. Has
>> anyone got drawings for the rads that i can use to get some made? Or
>> has anyone got the rads and wouldn't mind lending them to me to so i
>> can get copies made? Or has someone done something else? Also
>> staying on the engine theme i would like to fit an inter cooler
>> system and would like to know from others who have this fitted where
>> you got it and rough cost please? Many thanks to all. A Frustrated
>> builder, Frank X.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Read this topic online here:
>>
>> http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=428438#428438
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Un/Subscription,
>> Forums!
>> Admin.
>>
>>
>>
>
>
|