Corvette LS3 V8 Powered Velocity Kitplane UPDATE!

[@cggage]

Talk about smooth! What a difference a V8 engine makes! How can you beat that sound? The aircraft looks solid, professional, secure. Very high-quality craftsmanship. Excellent job! Congratulations!

[@theworshiptraveler6709]

Fantastic video Mark. The LS3 is one of the best engines ever designed.

[@chippyjohn1]

Back in WW1

[@redlywaxer]

Great sound and power. Would love to see more updates as it nears airworthiness. Thank you!

[@foesfly3047]

This project is exceedingly interesting. Thanks for reviewing it for us (twice so far).

[@frisk151]

Talk about workmanship!!!! This looks and sounds amazing! I'm late to finding this but I hope to see flight videos as I look deeper now.. Thanks for sharing!

[@glennoropeza3545]

I been following your build for a while! I love this plane!

[@Mcleanbe123]

your videos have restarted my interest in aviation/homebuilt aircraft. If/when I decide to build, this will be my plan. Thanks for setting the path for me!

[@louisvanrijn3964]

Runs like a merlin engine...sounds convincingly. If you get the cooling right and the fuel feed fool proof-reliable, half of the machine is OK. Well done!

[@thepurpleufo]

It's all amazingly great...the airplane itself and the engine...wow. Keep it going.

[@davidgolden6068]

FINALLYYYY I have been searching far and wide for an update on this 👍👍👍👍

[@camthompson4462]

Fantastic, great watching the progress over the years. Officially you win. Can't wait to at least cruise around the airport with you.

[@jackglossop4859]

“Follow me through on the controls” gets a bit friendly with that shared joystick 🤣 love this aircraft though.

[@chrisbaxter23]

So cool how you built every piece of that plane, if you could build it you built it! So proud of you papa!

[@007bonder4]

There was an awesome guy done here in Fl x58 that was working on v8 for years … just makes sense reliable as can be . The Airframe is killer sir fast and responsive always liked the velocity but with an LS3 nice 👍🏻. Looking forward to your test flight !

[@davejoynt6276]

That looks sweet, not sure about using the hangar door as a chock, lol.

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

What could possibly go wrong where the engine has enough thrust to fly without wings? Hmmm might be fun to put a silhouette right there.

[@chrisbaxter23]

Looks amazing Papa!! I’m so happy to see it up and running and so happy that you got your dream plane working!

[@DrT_MD]

Beautiful work! Can’t wait to see it flying. With all that performance, I’d want at least one more artificial horizon on the panel. I’ve never met an iPad I trust that much.

[@bassmith448bassist5]

I personally would NEVER own anything made by Apple.

[@VusaMoyo]

Yup a G5 or GI275 or whatever Dynon makes as a backup would be ideal.

[@joemedcalf7732]

Love it can't wait to see the performance in the sky thanks. I will be subscribing.

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Thanks for the sub!

[@dsgregg]

Fantastic. Looks fabulous. I'm loving the dual redundant ECU aspect too.

[@devilliers123]

Beautiful piece of work.. ..

[@rbmiller3346]

Fantastic job. The small block Chevy engine has been a workhorse since the 50's and has powered everything from motorcycles to airplanes. Beautiful aircraft.

[@stewartsmith1947]

It's a Chevy but not the old type small block . LS3 is even better than the old small block . Much better !

[@russellhawkins5113]

The LS3 with the Stinger reduction drive and MT prop looks a great combo…..

[@ztwntyn8]

That’s awesome and thanks for the walkthrough

[@cozy4build245]

Awesome! Usually the weak link in these automotive conversions is the reduction unit. Awesome job. Cant wait to see it go.

[@caturlifelive]

agreed

[@gi8323]

huge thank you, really appreciate the update..

[@goropeza101]

Awesome fast aircraft! can't wait for its first flight!

[@michaelchesney3785]

I've always loved the velocity ! The LS3 looks to be a beast!

[@malibujack4852]

Interesting. Will be fun to see if it performs as anticipated. Not sure about how it will do on 100LL (not a lot of places that sell mogas). One other thing I would mention is that many builders spend years completing their projects because they keep adding modifications that they think they need, but in reality are not needed. For instance, the defog on the windscreen. My experience in flying my velocity for over 20 years now in all kinds of weather is that the windscreen never fogs up. My advice would be to build it to spec, get it up and flying, and then decide what “improvements” are needed. Alternatively, ask those of us who have been flying them for years, what mods actually are warranted.

[@julianbrelsford]

Well, if he's willing to carry the fuel to the airplane himself then there are a lot of places to get mogas

[@savethedeveloper]

5:06 where Len is standing is where the wing goes. I have the same problem and dread maintenance once wings are on

[@5xls]

Sounds awesome. Get that thing flying!

[@mjhornidge]

Hey man!! you did an update!! sweet!!!

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

I'll be making many more as the builder progresses all the way to the first flight.

[@BiscuitsStuckToTheWall]

Very nice. Looking forward to seeing it fly. 👍

[@cm0ly989]

Nice job! The LS engine looks amazing!!

[@felixaudet5860]

It would be interesting to see a maintenance / cost comparison of the LS3 vs other aircraft engines with similar power. Thanks for posting, amazing build.

[@banzaiib]

at 8k-10k for an LS crate engine, you could replace the entire engine 10x and not come close to a single, 400 HP Lycoming IO-720.

[@tilsr2556]

As well it shoild be made by qualified engineer

[@Scjohn99]

Suweeeet! Very nice. Great job and congrats!

[@johnelliott4521]

Beautiful work thank you for sharing

[@jimarcher5255]

Congratulations on a very impressive build.

[@coastalbbq1]

Beautiful project! Thanks for the video.

[@PistonsProps]

Awesome bird. Flying in speed and luxury.

[@cardboardrob1]

Can't wait to see it fly

[@armandobetancourt8488]

Thank you very much for the update. It´s a very interesting project. Please share the numbers (cruse speed, climb rate, fuel) when finally you have this beautiful plane fully operational. One more. Excellent job with the interior. I like the instrument panel layout and interior color and the direction everything is going. There is any plan to install a force induction system on the engine or there is not room in the engine bay?

[@jimydoolittle3129]

Powerful beauty ❤️💪✈️

[@clarkharms]

Very nice build, do you have a page outlining everything you did to make the ls engine work. I am sure many of use would love to benefit from your experience and build. Just wondering if you think the ls is a cost effective alternative to the lycoming engines?

[@oldsloane]

A real beauty, can't wait to see it fly.

[@NotTelling51]

Looking forward to following the progress. Pretty cool.

[@stevencarrollscorpio]

i subscribed, please make another video when you complete this project, would love to see the project completed and in the air. really cool 😎.

[@weshillsberry6275]

That hangar door is definitely "experimental" lol

[@chippyjohn1]

Good to see you aren't using an old pushrod engine.

[@JamesBond-xq3tw]

True engineer

[@jimmycline4778]

7:15 You can here the LS3 motor up till the prop drowned it out!

[@jwald6795]

Sounds and looks Awesome

[@Dimrain13]

I love it! Since its an LS whats the estimated TBO and OH cost? Im out in Michigan as well and this looks like the perfect setup!

[@tinolino58]

Nice video! Thanks

[@donjohnston3776]

Wow, so EFFFFFFFFFFFFEN smooth !!!!!!!!!!!

[@brentheilman8910]

I love it 😍 great work!

[@CurtBagne]

I put an LS engine into my Miata some time ago and now that I'm working on my pilots license, something like this may be next. Looks like a great build and I'd love to see updates.

[@xXAlexbXx-hl9nf]

Lool does it rip?

[@CurtBagne]

@@xXAlexbXx-hl9nf It's properly quick. Really fun to drive!

[@xXAlexbXx-hl9nf]

@@CurtBagne that's badass man. That's a dream build for me. The ls motor is such a great power plant and the fact it can squeeze in a miata is only a recipe for fun and awesome 👌. Love to see you living the dream brother good health too you

[@dougrobison5342]

Wow, well done!

[@wadeh9124]

Is there a resource on where I can find more information about the prop control when using this engine configuration? I assume electric but more interested in how this works since power of the auto engine power rated via RPM rather than MP. For example, do you adjust pitch based on engine load similar to shifting gears?

[@Formerlytrouserttrout]

I used to see an airplane like this in southern California. It buzzed us while hiking in the ortegas

[@grumpyoldstudios]

I love the project and the plane but as the crew chief on an LS3 powered Corvette racecar how are you working around the problem of the LS3's propensity to burning off plug wires? The racecar goes through 2-3 wires a year even with wrapped headers and high temp wires. It is a terrible design having the plugs rite between the exhaust ports. I would love to see how you overcome it as it might help the racecar.

[@quadsman11]

And you just may have brought a potential critical design issue to Mark's attention, ( possibly saving the aircraft ) ! This may be a very stupid question, and I do understand the prop being cooled by a significant amount of airflow, and ambient temperatures being much cooler as altitude increases. But, is there going to be any heating of the prop with the headers dumping out just ahead of the prop ??? Just curious !

[@guidosarducci166]

@@quadsman11 the airplane isn't known ice certified, so prop heating shouldn't be a concern.

[@quadsman11]

@@guidosarducci166 I guess I was misunderstood, I meant, propeller damage created by the outlet of the headers being directed at the prop, and only a few inches away from it. I should have realized that there could have been another meaning infered. My mistake for sure !

[@guidosarducci166]

@@quadsman11 ah! Didn't even consider that. I don't think any individual blade would be subjected to the exhaust for a long enough period of time to heat the prop out of tolerance. Looking at the way he has the exhaust set up also, the exhaust gases will mix with air from the cowling a good foot before the gases encounter the prop, so I would expect the exhaust gases at that point would be significantly cooler than the EGT out of the header.

[@quadsman11]

@@guidosarducci166 I agree with you on that Paul, was more of a curiosity than anything. But I'm an autoracing nut, and aviation nut, so always thinking about things in the extreme ! How extreme forces, and extreme heat effects have on critical performance parts ! I try to never make assumptions about something critical that can have potential failure at critical timing ! Like, let's say 5000 feet, in the case of aviation of course ! Or at extremely high speeds, and depending on brake performance, etc. ! So, I guess, more of me thinking out loud !

[@sirnewton6874]

Very nice! You Sir are a true craftsman. What ratio did you decide on?

[@xpeterson]

So, since you’ve been working n it for so long, I suppose you put the engine in the rear before corvette did

[@bassmith448bassist5]

One of the most reliable engines ever built. Gobs of horsepower and torque. I'd wager that even at max gross that airplane will practically leap off the runway. That's a beautiful build by the way. Are you planning on keeping her white??? Or are you going to give her a sexy paint job???

[@robertphillips3078]

Really really nice job. The prop Noise was fabulous. Whats ur expected Top & Cruise Speed pls. Thx 4 sharing

[@BudFox559]

That's really nice and it sounds amazing.

[@matteopiras4773]

That's amazing !! Would it be possible to get in touch with the owner for more questions about this project ?

[@jbj27406]

I noticed that big stick on the transmission tunnel, so I assume it's a manual trans. Did you go with the Tremec T5 or the six-speed?

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

LOL now that's funny!

[@jbj27406]

@@KitplaneEnthusiast Thank you, I just couldn't help myself. What a gorgeous full-out aircraft. Always loved the Velocity. Really, it's a personal time machine.

[@SteveLarsen-gc3jn]

Thanks been curious long time

[@rileyswing9731]

What an unbelievable example. I need to meet this man. Perhaps I could fly into your airport??

[@doncatch1]

Wow. Enjoyed

[@SGTMARSHALL1]

What would be your expected fuel consumption when you drop it to 4 cylinders while cruising ? And why Dynon over Garmin ?

[@watashiandroid8314]

Thank you for taking the time and effort to record and edit this update video, and thanks to Len as well! It looks like a lot of thought went into the interior, it's very nice and has a modern luxury/sport look that matches the plane. I'm wondering about the V8. Do you know if it can burn 100LL fine? Will it need an additive or limited run time on leaded gas?

[@jtamsett]

I am sure it. Can with the right tune.

[@TheOwenMajor]

All autogas engines should have a lead scavaging additive added to leaded fuel. The lead will gum up any engine designed in this century.

[@jameswiz]

What setup was used for the ECUs? Is that custom or off the shelf, and what system is it? Qre dual ECUs required? Also, could you have built this as a front prop, with the engine backwards? And what is your crusing Engine RPM?

[@2thelimitandthensome]

Awesome build! I would like to know weight and balance of this velocity be compared to the weight and balance of the same model with a 300HP traditional aircraft engine? Is it similar?

[@len3396]

The engine, drive, and radiator actually weigh slightly less than a Continental 550.

[@alexrcastillo1977]

wow.. this is awesome.. I want one .. lol.. when will we see it fly?

[@kowkunt8710]

What is the cost of reduction box ? Would a two blade prop work? Is your prop heated ? How many ft lbs of torque is your engine producing when your prop is at 2700 RPM? Is your engine t w in or single turbo? Is your crankshaft forged steel or cast? Cheers

[@22tango0071]

Hi love it. Did you have to create special mods? I have a Velocity XL on order. I am thinking of the Continental desiel. thanks

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

That entire installation is a HUGE mod!

[@22tango0071]

@@KitplaneEnthusiast thank you for the response. I can immanage the time spent. I was thinking I can do all the mods using a 3d print. I have over a year to fig it out. Thank you again

[@pumarolz]

Finally some info on this plane

[@youknoweverything7643]

I flew in one that the interior seats and everything looks identical to a gt 40 racecar with 5 seats beautiful plan and interior was designed using real gt 40 interior panels and seats and all and fits with the whole look of the plane it's so nice and bad ass. But I love this one as well I want one bad

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

G, day Mark from Sydney Australia. * love the panel: unsure about the circuit breaker identified numbers, (what system is affected No 8 etc). * Run up against the hanger door: any nose rash? Thanks for the tour. 🌏🇭🇲

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

John, he has a page in what will be the flight manual that shows what each number is for. Maybe not the best system, but that's how it works. As for hangar door rash on the nose, check out the previous video I made about this plane. He has a retractable tie down "bumper" on the nose! So no scuffed paint. It's pretty clever how he did it.

[@patway4683]

That is awesome!

[@inhocsigno9151]

Awesome, great airplane.

[@michaelsanchez8457]

Does that MT prop have reverse? I think that is one of the coolest things. That is an amazing plane.

[@cartmanrlsusall]

Interesting plane it's going to be a fast hotrod when it flies the exhaust right next to the prop?I'm sure it's fine but I'm not sure about that

[@roryderbyshire4630]

Awesome

[@robertlafnear4865]

NICE ! Plane 😁 Should be a darn fast ride across to Oshkosh (lol). Bet the guy that built the "Raptor" wishes he went with an LS motor..... now.

[@awhite3713]

Nah, the Raptor guy has overpromised with no way of delivering for years, I'm not saying the cornfield was planned... but not saying it wasn't planned either 😉

[@robertlafnear4865]

An AH HA moment here....might be unto something 🤨 Let me ponder this a bit.

[@Robert-mn8gc]

The 2 best engines 4 the Velocity Aircraft in my opinion are . A V8 ... thought the Corvette engine would push a 4 Blade ? And a Turbo Prop Engine . The V8 sounds awesome 👌 👏

[@Robert-mn8gc]

Gr8 Job on Ur Velocity. Love ❤️ the V8 LS3. What is Ur expected cruise & top speed please. How much HP

[@mikegirard4388]

Interesting that it makes more HP than the prop can handle. But out does sound cool. I suppose he might be able ot eventually get a higher performance prop that could handle it and change the gear reduction.

[@bhhvvbvgyvbuvv]

It's beautiful

[@EGGSHL]

I always wondered how this could be possible!! Come to think of it, a supercharger definitely helps

[@ThePinkPanth3r]

Hell yes!!!! Woooo

[@johntenhave1]

What does it weigh? And therefore what is the useful load, staying within the manufacturers mauw?

[@markg4498]

Wish you were my neighbor, I would be at your house helping every day

[@williamwheeler4118]

How fast? What's the range? How big are the fuel tanks? Total weight allowed? What's the cruise speed?

[@nyrubin]

Love it

[@kennethcohagen3539]

This is my life long dream! A fast aircraft that I can share with family and friends. The only thing I might change, is to go from the LS3 to a Gen III Hemi, and that’s mainly because it already has two spark plugs per cylinder. And anything with fuel injection can be modified to use twi injectors per cylinder. Redundancy can save your bacon. This plane is almost perfect, and it is for the cross country mission. But there are two missions that I want to fly. The other is search and rescue. The Zenair CH 750 HD fits the bill. With room for three I can fly with an observer while carrying emergency supplies that can be parachuted down to the victim. It could also extract one person if there is ample landing space anywhere. I have one question about the Velocity. What RPM are you running? What gear ratio are you using to maintain an effective prop speed?

[@len3396]

Max 4100 rpm Cruse 3300 to 3700. 1.54 reduction

[@len3396]

Redundancies: 2 ecu 2 fuel pumps 8 coils 8 plugs 8 injectors each wired independent of the others. Engine runs very well as a V4 on the ground…. We will see how that works in the air!!

[@EatPezzzz]

@@len3396 But 2 crank position and cam sensors? Loose one of those and both ECUs are useless.

[@ick79]

Awesome update!!!!! another request!!!! can you update again when it's in the air with some performance numbers? this is a build i have been thinking about for quite some time!!!

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Zac, I’m planning on more updates anytime Len wants me to film the current status!

[@ick79]

also want to follow this and see how the stinger drive does.... I have talked with them and autopsrus and still don't know what direction would be better... i think both are great products.... but they have a huge $$$ difference.

[@erikpetersen3812]

Super interested in this project. Building a Wheeler Express Series 90 Auriga and would love not to put an IO-540 in front of it. I'm curious of Len's challenges with the 'other' PSRU and watching how his Stinger drive runs. What gear ratio did he pick?

[@ick79]

@@erikpetersen3812 that would be nice to know what the issues where with the first one... However in this close net community one must be careful when posting issues with a product (I know we all have good intentions for wanting the knowledge) but putting stuff like that out on the web can ruin a company fast when it may not have been a product issue but more of an implementation issue.

[@erikpetersen3812]

@@ick79 agree, even before the advent of youtube, twitter and facebook... Wheeler Express got a bad rap in print due to pilot error on a number of occasions and folded.

[@MartinSage]

Scary Power! Projected Cruise speed? Max?

[@EatPezzzz]

I've built, tuned, and/or wired at least 100 LS swapped cars. I'll tell you now that the O2 sensors being 3" from the exhaust opening will not deliver anywhere near the correct readings to the PCM. They need to be as close to the collector as possible AND a minimum of 18" of exhaust pipe after the sensor.

[@clarkstonguy1065]

You have a good point there. Pressure pulsations can create a surprising amount of reverse flow from the end of the pipe, and O2 sensors are EXTREMELY sensitive to ANY oxygen that finds its way in from the atmosphere when running stochiometric (as required to make a 3-way convertor work effectively on an automobile) or when running rich of peak to get maximum power out of an automobile (still legal for a few more years for production cars as catalyst temperature protection). Even 3-bolt flanges with missing gaskets or slip joints a few inches downstream of the O2 sensor can be a little problematic. If the ECM is relying on the feedback signal it should drive it to a much richer condition, so at least for takeoff power that is in a safer albeit lower power condition. Assuming wide range O2 sensors and setup to run lean of peak for maximum fuel range at cruise (as I certainly would) it should be less sensitive under that condition. But definitely something to be keenly aware of when setting up the fuel air ratio that the O2 sensors are probably lying...