Kitfox 7 Apex Build Episode 30 Engine Part 3

[@bigb1910]

Can’t wait to see you flying this awesome machine! Really enjoy all your videos. Keep em coming.

[@Aphthous]

I really appreciate the detail in your videos on your build. I have no flying experience, but your videos, along with those from Trent Palmer, and Mike Patey have me really considering getting into the experimental aircraft side of things! Thank you!

[@johnnyboythepilot4098]

If your able to do it, do it! As Leonardo da Vinci once said, "Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward. For there you have been, and there you will always long to return." Flying is definitely a joy, and I can barely wait till the day I'm either flying full-time as a commercial pilot or I'm doing another job but able to afford my own airplane. I too am deeply interested in the experimental market and I believe it is the best way to experience GA flying. The only certified planes that have peaked my interest for potential ownership in the future includes all the Maules, the Cessna 177 Cardinal, Piper Pacer, Piper Cub/Super Cub, and the Aeronca Champ. Another certified bird I really love is the Piper Comanche but I heard it has a lot of AD's and it's an expensive plane to maintain. Anything else for me would be experimental, and experimental is what I'd prefer since maintenance and upkeep would be far cheaper than a certified plane since certified parts are so expensive, and I believe you can do your own maintenance. Although insurance for experimental I think would be a tad more expensive. For me, I really want two cheap planes that specialize in two missions: Bush flying and efficient high speed travel (aka a "speedster"). Both planes for me would be 2 seaters since I'm sure once I get my PPL it'll just be me flying 98% of the time solo. I want both planes to be able to carry me, full fuel, a folding mountain bike, some light baggage, and light camping gear. There's *T O N S* of options as far as bush flying goes, but for my 2nd mission, it's a little bit more specific. Not only do I want something that flies fast, but I also want something that lands decently slow, like around the 60MPH range, and can land in grass or unimproved strips (although not crazy bush strips). I ABSOLUTELY LOVE how crazy efficient, fast, and long-legged the Long-EZ and Quickie Q200 designs are, but they have high landing speeds near 90-100MPH and can't land in the grass due to their landing gear and tiny wheels. The only other design I've been able to find that can hit 200MPH with less than 200HP and is *very cheap* is the Wittman Tailwind (or as I like to call it, the OG Cessna Killer :P). I recently saw a video on YT of a Wittman owner who hit 225MPH with a 150HP Lycoming O-320! If I can fit in one, I'd love to own one and if I can get a reliable set of plans, maybe even build one! I heard you can build a Tailwind airframe for around the $10k-$15k range, which is usually slow-ultralight territory. The experimental market really has no limits and your sure to find a plane that fits your mission, which is why the experimental market has taken GA by storm.

[@steveegbert7429]

Can't wait to hear that Apex bark to life! Knowing how meticulous you are through the build videos on this project, I can only imagine how long your punch list must be! It's going to be a solid build, and you will know every last tiny part of it.

[@c21delta94]

Bryan, this build has been so amazing and to see it all coming together is extraordinary. Your attention to detail is equally amazing. Its so close now, Wow. Soo the wings will go on and you'll be planning the maiden flight. Bravo!

[@jeffbrowne6655]

It’s looking really good. I can’t wait to see her fly!

[@Shreyam_io]

Tbh I'm loving the whole build.., thanks for vloging all this...

[@davidrobins4025]

You have some very creative ideas for getting the job done. Thanks for the good clear videos with good quality sound. Exciting days for you.

[@jamesperkins3742]

That rescue tape we used in the Air Force and we called it F4 tape because it was used a lot on the F4 Phantom aircraft to wrap hoses and mainly electrical wires. Normally we use the the red version that had a green line down the center that was used to help overlap 50%.

[@eiselbay]

Looks fantastic. Really excited to hear this thing start up!

[@pbeshears]

Engine start coming soon! Can’t wait!

[@jeffshapiro1151]

Nice Bryan! Looking really good, man!! Can't wait to see that thing fly!

[@alistaircox3363]

Really enjoying your build and the development of that engine install. Can't wait to see the finished machine take to the sky!! Cheers from Oz..

[@darwinendreson4628]

Progress looks top notch Brian, looking forward for 1st start in the airframe.

[@Project2Aero]

Lookin good! The little stuff always takes so long!

[@marcericdavis]

In a modern car the thermostat controls flow to the main radiator, but flow is still allowed to flow through the cabin heat / defroster. This is so the defroster starts working long before the full volume of the cooling system come up to temp.

[@BowenAero]

I’m not sure if the heat exchanger circuit is effect by the thermostat, it probably is not and always circulates to the heater core. Either way, it will not produce heat until the coolant is warm.

[@HookedOnUtah]

Paint your oil reservoir tank yellow to match the yellow on the engine.

[@mitchellmize1399]

Looks awesome!!! I cant tell from the video, but your fuel pressure sensor looks like it may be hard mounted (no vibration protection) in which case the 1/8" npt threads could snap. I had this happen to a FPR that I had hard mounted on a fuel rail. Luckily it was in car not an airplane. Just a heads up, love the build.

[@sdeckard357]

As I have told you before, your videos are very interesting and helpful. I ordered the Moroso coolant tank like yours. Where did you get the weld on fittings and the water hoses? Thank you

[@BowenAero]

Weld on bungs are from summit racing. The hose are from Flex technologies.

[@VicariousAir]

You're always an inspiration brother....

[@jamesperkins3742]

Apex questions: Are you using the original engine harness and ECU from the snowmobile? Building the Apex as you are are you saving a lot of cost as compared to Steve Henry's complete engine system? Now Steve Henry's system I am sure is professional, complete and well worth the cost he charges however us guys that are handy with tools I think can do the build like you are doing to save cost. The Apex engine has me excited because it looks like a cost effective engine solution and reliable. I would like to see your engine cost breakdown sometime.

[@BowenAero]

It is stock accept for the ECU. I am using BD turnkey engines AEM ECU and wire harness.

[@jamesperkins3742]

@@BowenAero What did you gain going with the BD AEM ECU and wire harness over using the stock Apex system?

[@jamesperkins3742]

@@BowenAero How did you find the snowmobile donor? Do you think that the popularity of the Apex engine for these conversions will drive up the cost of the Apex/ snowmobiles? Where should I look to find a snowmobile for the Apex and how much should I expect to pay? What year of snowmobile should I look for to buy? Are there any other sources of engines besides snowmobiles? Thanks. Keep up the videos I am watching. I am interested in a Just Aircraft STOL but the Kitfox is good to.

[@BowenAero]

@@jamesperkins3742 They are harder to find now than they were. You can still find them for sale in the Midwest pretty regularly. Just watch the snowmobile ads and move quick when you see one.

[@BowenAero]

@@jamesperkins3742 Full fuel control to have perfect air fuel ratio, it uses a o2 censor to fine tune it with auto tune and it can data log with a laptop so you can make mapping adjustments to your particular installation. It is a very easy install with a beautiful wire harness and all the censors you need plus a great AEM monitor screen for the instrument panel. It is a very professional system that. I believe we gained 8-10 hp as well.

[@nwbackcountry5327]

Where the breather and coolant hoses touch, near the engine, should rescue tape be used? Maybe you are waiting for the new oil hose.

[@BowenAero]

I’ll take a look, but that hose will be replaced prior to flight.

[@ednesbit2988]

its going to be a beautiful bird great job

[@Shreyam_io]

That rubber tape is forbidden snack 😂

[@ronnybaize]

Getting closer 😍

[@phillip19641]

Great progress, congrat. Which engine datas do you have on your AEM? How about CHT?

[@BowenAero]

EGT, air fuel ratio, gearbox temp, oil temp, oil pressure, coolant temp, hp available, hp used, fuel consumption, rpm.

[@andrewhowell5294]

Bryan its only my opinion, but for the cost of a couple of dollars, replace the spring loaded clamps that are on your high pressure oil and breather lines to the block and back to the tank, I've seen them fail in motorsport applications

[@tonybraun5118]

What heater are you using? The T7 3.5kw from Europe?

[@thomasmurray1807]

Great job Brian. Did you go with the STI wing or standard. And why. I have had both and love the STI wing. I lost 15 mph on cruise. and gained approx. 10 on stall, depending on power at landing. Tom upstate NY

[@BowenAero]

Both

[@jonpeterson1137]

You probably do not have to have the fuel pressure regulator at the engine. Arctic Cat used a return hose on their first sleds with fuel injectors. They now have the regulator in the fuel tank with the fuel pump. The regulator spills directly into the tank. They have only one pressurized and regulated hose to the injectors. I do not remember where your fuel pump is located. The regulator could be anywhere after the pump. You could reduce the length (weight) of the return hose.

[@BowenAero]

That is the factory regulator at the factory location.

[@HookedOnUtah]

Looks great! Sweet Job!

[@bladerunner6282]

not a criticism (believe me) but seeing all the wiring and its complexity i am beginning to develop an appreciation for a simple ipad and a few old-school flight instruments. :)

[@shortribslongbow5312]

Very nice video thanks for sharing.

[@plane-fuzz]

STOL DRAGS CHAMPION!!!

[@BowenAero]

Not yet

[@BlueBaron3339]

I'm sure I'm hardly the only one following this who got their start in aircraft with no electrical system. It really hit me in this video just how from *that* this is 😂 🤣

[@EdgePerformanceNorway]

Your going to hate yourself for sleeping and shrink tubing those EGT’s when one sensor fails and needs replacing. We sell the T7 Design products here in Norway. The fan speed controller we use is totally adjustable from zero to full speed. Seem less control. You might want to consider a controller which allows for step less fan speed control for when you want just a little heat and not all the 3.5Kw. My experience with the 3.5Kw heater is that it’s ok for composite “sealed” planes, but at least in our climate not adequate in planes such as kitfox and Rans as they leak a lot of air. Otherwise great build. Coming nicely together. Hi citing to see what performance you’ll be getting.

[@BowenAero]

You are right on the EGT wrap. Didn’t think of that. Do you have a link to the fan speed controller you use?

[@Shreyam_io]

Replying only so he can get the notification

[@trekkifpv1976]

One thing i need to ask im considering this engine on a long ez build i dont see a mixture control are you just not running one

[@BowenAero]

It is fuel injected with altitude compensation done through the ECU, so no need for mixture, just throttle.

[@trekkifpv1976]

@@BowenAero nice thank you

[@FlyingNDriving]

Excellent as always

[@Shreyam_io]

10:04 damn pause button in the centre 😂

[@BowenAero]

Haha I had to look it up, that’s classic.

[@Jamiehello1]

thank you

[@maleficentcop2752]

Cool cool.... Are you getting excited, can you see the can you see the end & first flight....😜🤔

[@benjohnson1082]

Great progress, the devil is in the details.

[@marcericdavis]

Ok. Now I'm being a pest. We use the tool and straps from installing a CV boot on a car to hold the fire sleeve to the fuel hose end fittings. www.amazon.com/Qbace-Joint-Banding-Tool-Cutter/dp/B00VR5V29K They end up looking like the "factory" made hoses. And don't forget to seal the fuzz on the ends of the inside of the fire sleeve. They sell an expensive hose dip at ASC. We use high temp silicone and just work it into the cloth. This keeps the hose from soaking up oil.

[@BowenAero]

That is what the rubber tape is for that comes with the fire sleeve, not as factory but same purpose.

[@marcericdavis]

@@BowenAero I guess my point is that the wire bundles are still resting on the tubes between the zip ties. In those areas vibration could cause chaffing.

[@BowenAero]

@@marcericdavis I could see how it may look that way, but the wire bundle is raised off the tubes the distance of the thickness of the rubber wrap, furthermore they are firmly secured and will not move, but I appreciate the input and have considered your comments.

[@marcericdavis]

@@BowenAero Keep up the vids. Really enjoying the detailed build.

[@JohnTalbot-k6xi]

It's Complex .... Hand Crafted (!!)

[@travisw9071]

Rad