Supplemental cooling for the Sport Cub

[couleeone]

I have installed the new cowling flaps and tested in real conditions yesterday in 95 degree weather. I ran a straight 190 degrees! Whereas before it would have been 220-240 degrees!! What a difference!! make me happy! They even look sexy! Notice the antenna on the wing root! That story is for another post.

compressed cowling flaps right side P1020823.jpgcompressed cowling flaps P1020822.jpgcompressed cowling flaps left side P1020826.jpg

[RanRan]

Are there two versions of the cowl flaps? A retro-fit and a lower cowl molded-in version?

How's the reception with the antenna on top? Any difference?

[Pete D]

The retro-fit cowl flaps have a screw-in frame. Current production aircraft have the frame molded into the cowling.

Pete D.

[Norm]

I have installed the new cowling flaps and tested in real conditions yesterday in 95 degree weather. I ran a straight 190 degrees! Whereas before it would have been 220-240 degrees!! What a difference!!

Excellent! Have u thought of installing a 4 probe CHT?

[couleeone]

Norm, that would be to much information for a old dude! what I dont know I dont worry about...look how long cubs were flown without the info? It probably would be a good thing but I also dont do that much flat out hi-power cruising! I mostly dance!

Geo

[Californiacubs]

The temp reductions George reported (190 instead of into the red and climbing) are in line with our experience. The cowl flaps with the HD oil cooler are really good news for S2s run in hot conditions.
jh

[randylervold]

I believe the cowl flaps make a larger difference than the oil cooler. For Sport Cub owners in hot climates with neither I recommend you try the cowl flaps first, you likely won't need the larger oil cooler.

[Pete D]

I agree with Randy, the cowl flaps make a bigger difference than the oil cooler.

Pete D.

[couleeone]

Pete installed the larger oil cooler amd plenum the end of last summer for me, it did make some difference but the cowling flaps made a huge difference.

Before I install the hi-pro exhaust I never ran that hot, the composite prop may have been part of the increased temperature too...as I did them both in the winter, I just don't know how much each contibuted to the heat.

Geo

[RanRan]

Pete installed the larger oil cooler amd plenum the end of last summer for me, it did make some difference but the cowling flaps made a huge difference.

Before I install the hi-pro exhaust I never ran that hot, the composite prop may have been part of the increased temperature too...as I did them both in the winter, I just don't know how much each contibuted to the heat.

Geo

My own theory is that once the larger hole was make for the four into none exhaust system at the very REAR of the cowling - most of the high pressure ram air was escaping over the plenum - that is, between the orange soft gasket and the upper cowling - basically folding the soft gasket over and cooling the fire-wall. Meanwhile, both the cylinders and oil cooler were being robbed of ram air flow. I spoke to Ralph about this - air, like water, will always find the easiest route to flow. In this case OVER the plenum.