Chevy LS2 and Trans??? any real issues besides weight

wrote:
I've been around homebuilts and homebuilders since 1973, and have
learned much from the mistakes of others. The old guys will tell you
that you never design both an airplane and a powerplant at the same
time, and that you never design an airplane without training or
extensive research unless you are simply copying something else to a
great extent. I've met or read about fellows with odd ideas about some
"new" airframe who have either bankrupted themselves trying to make it
work, or nearly killed themselves trying to fly it. The majority of
these people weren't even pilots yet, just guys full of preconceived
notions. They spent an enormously frustrating amount of time and money
to no good purpose.
Auto engine adaptations are very time-consuming, and while
there are a few that run well enough, many of their builders wish they
had just bolted a Lyc to the firewall in the first place. Would have
been cheaper and they could have gone flying. I was also into boats for
some years, and knew a guy who did the auto transmission thing; didn't
last long at all. Those gears just won't take the high power levels for
very long. Cars don't cruise at 75% power, and that's all there is to
it. Detroit doesn't design stuff any stronger than it has to.

The key is you want someone else to do the pioneering work for you.
Several autoderivative engine conversions have flown and proven to be
essentially sound. I would use one of them or at least study them
intently.

I felt at the time Blanton had essentially the right idea but should
have made his drive a two piece casting, making his own patterns and
having them poured at a nearby foundry and using automotive machine
tools to finish machine them quickly. Today I suspect a enclosed HyVo
drive or even gears-probably from an Allison truck trans-with a quill
shaft might be better. Only Blanton's pathological hatred for GM kept
him from real success in terms of volume-everyone else wants GM engines
because they are staplles of the hot rod industry.

It has to be said also the fastest way into the air is indeed the
museum piece Lycoming engine-securely mounted to the firewall of an
already built certificated production aircraft. Even at today's high
prices, they still are a Good Deal for most people who really want to
fly.

As i stated earlier i'm an engineer and building/designing things is
something i burn to do. I've given myself 10 years to buid this thing.
My problem with airplane engines is cost they are far to costly for
what u get and are about as reliable as my lawnmower.

the tranny i'm talking bout is a chevy tremec tranny built for the
corvette. looking at the specs its about as bullet proof a gearbox as
anything i've ever seen.

now the tranny things is just an idea, use cheverolets billion dollars
of research to get something going. the only semi-const is the engine
which will more than likely be an ls2 as the ls7 i originally wanted is
up there with airplane engines in cost. well lower end airplane
engines. prob by the time i need the drivetrain it'll be cheaper.

the question is if the engine/tranny is isolated from the
thrust/sideloading/vib of the prop and besides weight would it be
reasonable to assume this would be okay. it really shouldn't be all
that difficult to completely isolate the drivetrain from the prop.


now some other details that i would like to get input on:

now the craft is essentially a kevlar covered steel tube frame. reason
being i'm good at welding but have worked very little with composites(
built speaker enclosures and spoilers for my car). but i really like
the finish of the composite aircraft. and kevlar because its cheaper
than graphite and lighter than fiberglass.

1. i only intend to run this thing at approx 50% power while i could
spin it up higher i just can't see a reason to do it. 400lbs for
200+hp seems like a good trade to me. Plus i can buy another one or
rebuild it myself for far less than the rebuild of an aircraft engine.

2. I"m not trying to build the most efficient fastest cruising thing
in the world. i want something reliable, simple kinda speedy(150 -
160kts) and without the prop, massive front end and massive instrument
panel infront of me.


3. 2 seater also maybe 3 but most likely 2.

4. also what is a good way to keep the sound of the engine/prop/gears
in back where it belongs ? massive noise in the cabin would completely
ruin the effect i'm trying to achieve.

hey guys i'm only hunting for ideas now so please feel free to respond
with anything u can come up with pro/con.

also hopefully you aren't annoyed hehe cause prob get realy frustrated
when i start asking about wing construction hehe.

"MrV" wrote:

A page displaying his total lack of knowledge.

To you, I put out the following possibilities. You a

1) A kid playing on the computer. If I am wrong, stop using the text
message type of shorthand.

2) So completely ignorant of what works, what does not, and what might work,
that you need to get into the books, and/or Google, and do some homework.
The things you are proposing are ALL so far from reality, it is hard to know
where to start giving advise. I doubt you are going to get many responses,
because of this.

3) A plain and simple troll.
--
Jim in NC