Kevin qualified her at 285mph just now. I've heard they are trying different props and such, etc.? Anyone on the field have any insight on why so slow? At least she's running this year 
-
Reno from '99 to '23 -
Re: Relentless Qual
Kevin just barely made it to Reno this year.
From his facebook post:
First ACE 750r 8 Cylinder Lycoming Conversion
Built by ACE Performance with big bore AX50 cylinder. This pushes the 400hp Lycoming to 720 to 758 cubic inches. WE expect 475hp!
The first engine run and break in was on September 1st, as in just 2 weeks ago! Kevin has experimented with several different engine combinations over the last several years. Turbo Lyc 540, N/A Lyc 720, Continental GTSIO 520 (turbo), Now back to N/A 8 cylinder Lyc again but now a 758cubic inch version.
They just barely had time to get the cowling, air intake mods, new plenum, etc. There was no time left to paint the front of the plane so it went to Reno with a bare white front end from the spinner to a foot or so behind the cowling.
The N/A 758 will likely not be nearly as powerful as the original Turbo Lyc 540 NXT motor, or John Parker's Thunder Mustang motor. The top tier 400mph or more guys are running power levels in the 600+ range. So Relentless may not be able to hang with Blue Thunder this year, but I would think solid upper 300s is possible if they get everything sorted.
Defending champ Jeff Lavelle and his Glasair 3 is not at Reno this year so John Parker looks to be the guy to beat this year, knocking on the 400mph door in qualifying.
Good luck Kevin and Relentless.
George -
Re: Relentless Qual
Didn't see that thanks for the info, should've just stayed with the turbo's ..Reno from '99 to '23Comment
-
Re: Relentless Qual
Perhaps Kevin's long range plan is to eventually run a turbo on the 758 in the same way the Lyc 540 turbo NXT motor was set up. Jon Sharp designed the plane around the cubic inch limitations imposed on the sport class then. Now 1000 cubic inch motors are the limit, along with power adders. A full tilt 758 Lyc 8 cylinder turbo would potentially put him well in the 700+hp power levels. Jon Sharp was making high 420s mph laps with the 540 turbo, imagine what a 758 turbo could do? 430s, 440s. Yikes!
John Parker's Thunder Mustang has a serious motor in it, and he has a habit of misting in a bit of giggle gas from time to time. He's going to be hard to beat this year assuming the motor can stand the beating. He might just break into the 400mph club this year. He has hit 392 mph laps in 2013, and qualified just under 400 this year.
GeorgeComment
-
Re: Relentless Qual
It's been cold and majorly windy. Cold air is denser air. Denser air is more drag, more drag less speed. In a number of classes teams are swapping props and tweaking carbs to readjust for the weather.Originally posted by GRNDP51 View PostKevin qualified her at 285mph just now. I've heard they are trying different props and such, etc.? Anyone on the field have any insight on why so slow? At least she's running this yearComment
Comment