svx that really flies (aircraft conversion)
 

My wife and I are building an SVX that really flies. I mean literally. We are building a high performance short take off and landing (STOL) aircraft known as a "BearHawk". It carries 4 people plus 2 really little people or 200 pounds of luggage, does close to 160 mph in flight and will take off and land in about a 100 feet.

We are planning to find a totalled or otherwise eligible SVX donor car to provide the engine and associated electronics. I will tear down, inspect and overhaul the engine, but otherwise will put it into the aircraft stock, including the electronics suite. I would also like a closer look at seats, gages, etc., to see what could be recycled to equip the aircraft interior.

We are financially challenged (And we're building an airplane????) but we need the airplane to fulfill our life's ambition. Any help with finding a good donor car would be appreciated.

Thank you very much for your help in this matter.

Drew & Ellen

Please reply via this e-mail: drewschumann@yahoo.com

Murderer
 

Your Murderer!

or Grim Reeper :(

Easy now everyone...
 

They want a totaled SVX.. If its a complete wreck.. then think of it as the afterlife for an SVX. I dont think they would take a perfectly good SVX and cut it up.. at least I hope thats not the case...

Chris

Of course not...
 

I wouldn't think of killing a perfectly good SVX... That and I want it as cheap as possible, so I don't want it in very good shape. AND, once I get everything I want out of it, I will, of course, part the remainder out to try to get my money back out of it.

Have you ever driven on a long, winding road, where your vehicle just seemed to be not connected to the road? Trust me, your car would like nothing better than to be able to fly, and I just want to give it that opportunity. Like the proceeding post says, it gives your SVX another life. From what I've seen, Subaru engines last nearly forever, with the result that most engines end up as stuck and corroding in junkyards. All I want is to turn one of these "dead-end" engines into something for our family to enjoy and use far into the future.

Thanks for responding. I'll be lurking until the right one comes my way.

Drew

drew-

i support your decision and am enthralled by the possibility of an SVX powering an STOL vehicle. I will keep my eyes peeled for you, and god forbid my car should somehow get totalled (knock on woodgrain), I'll gladly offer my motor to your cause. unless of course i decide to make an svx-powered dune buggy :D

-adam

Mmmmmmmmmm...SVX powered dune buggy...

:D:D

Drew
Welcome to the Network, from an old Iowa City High graduate ('69).

Are you looking to build a Skyjack? I was looking around, and found that Steve Jackovich was born in Newton (raised in Bettendorf). It looks like a pretty cool plane!

There is locally, a '92 SVX with leather interior and a well-used body, for something under $4500, but I assume you're hoping to pay a lot less than that.

Best of luck with your project.

Upside down oiling.
 

Drew, are you going to keep the wet sump, or change to a dry sump.

Harvey. ;)

Wet Sump
 

The point of this experiment is to attempt to install the engine as stock as possible. The theory is that modern automotive powerplants are advanced enought that they no longer need the sort of prep traditionally given to them when being converted. What they do need is extremely careful electron management. And a good redrive system.

FYI, I'll probably going with the stock ignition and fuel system, in addition to a Marcotte redrive.

Thanks for the question.

Drew

Re: Wet Sump
 

Only have flowen on two wheels. What happens when you tip it on it's side, and centrifugal force demishes to let the oil drop down the cylinders, to fill the undersides of the pistons?

Harvey. ;)

Re: Re: Wet Sump
 

My guess is that the only time that would be a problem would by in flying upside-down. Centrifugal force will do that same thing on our engines during hard cornering, such as on a skidpad. Most of the time that a plane is banking, centrifigal force overcomes gravity to keep the oil right where it should be. At least that's what I would think to be true.

During my initial (and cursory) search, I ran into a site where a guy was having problems with his stock-like SVX engine getting his plane off the ground. Something about the wrong propeller pitch and stuff. Thanks to this internet thing, seems like others are solving our problems for of us. :) (Like right here. :D )

Wet sump, dry sump
 

Good question. Wet sumps are quite common in non-aerobatic aircraft. Frankly, they can do just about any maneuver for a limited period of time. Your oil control/scraper ringers ensure nothing bad happens to the cylinder. I owned a BMW and Ural motorcycle that had "Boxer" engines in them and they also had no problems, unless you laid them on their sides for more than overnight.

Hydraulic lock is no laughing matter.

Drew

Flying SVX!
 

Drew and wife.. you both are my hero. As a lover of flight AND the SVX (and building stuff) I can think of think of nothing better that to be able to enjoy BOTH at the same time!

And to build it yourselves....well that's just the icing on the cake! Now if only I can convince MY wife to let me do the same. For now it's cabinet making for the home and model planes, but someday....maybe a REAL plane...oh that would just be wonderful.... :))

Good luck in your search, I am certain an engine is out there.

As a water cooled engine you'll have your work cut out for you to route the cooling system.

Is the BearHawk 'kit' meant for a water cooled engine?