Holy Cowl or not...

tmbg · Post by **tmbg** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 12:14 pm

Finish kit ordering day is rapidly approaching, and this is my current big dilemma.

If I do the James cowl, I think it'll cost me a fair bit more. I'm not sure what the cowl delete nets me, but I think I heard around $600. The James cowl runs around $950, plus I'll have to either ship it separately or go fetch it, plus I'll want to do the James plenum in addition which is another $450, and the James ram air snorkle which is like $150. Additionally, the James cowl will require me to use a long-hub prop or an extension, which will cost more money and weight and complexity.

On the other hand, I like the idea of having a good platform to experiment with pressure recovery in the cowl and baffling, and the James cowl looks good!

Help me decide!

Pittsbuilder · Post by **Pittsbuilder** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 12:57 pm

Holyholyholy!! It will be more hassle, but worth it, and we can go get ours together... It will be worth it.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:03 pm

The SJ cowl is a lot of work, but I was thrilled with how mine turned out. I would absolutely do it again. Looks alone are enough to make the decision for me!

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 6:50 pm

I was talking to Bill Repucci last night. He says it was $100 more but he might be calculating things a bit different... I dunno.

Anyways, everyone says it is a bit more money and a lot more work.

I am gonna use the Van's cowl whether I like it or not and calling it a day.

...but the James stuff is sweet!

POST PICS!

CJ

cbkillion · Post by **cbkillion** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 8:08 pm

Besides looking cool and experimenting with pressure recovery (I'll pretend I know what that is...) are there any other benefits to using the cowl?

Is it easier to take on and off? Is it faster? Less drag? Chicks dig it?

tmbg · Post by **tmbg** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:50 pm

Supposed to be faster. Also will let me run ram air much easier.

tmbg · Post by **tmbg** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 11:47 am

James cowl it is; damn the torpedoes, four bells.

Those of you keeping score at home, a full cowl kit delete (hinges and all) is $860 credit for a -7.

The James cowl is $950, airbox $125, plenum $425.

I may take a stab at making my own plenum rather than shell out... depends on my money/time ratio when the day arrives.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 2:07 pm

Keep an eye out on VAF for an unused plenum. That's how I got mine, and I paid $150 less than new, and it was untouched...

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 4:06 pm

I already posted on your finish kit post...but yes to the James Cowl.

Get the long version cowl, 2.5" Sabre prop extension and the plenum. I bought both my plenum($350) and Cowl($900 w/shipping) off the VAF Classified section. Put a WTB ad there if you are looking, either way be sure you get it early! James can be a little slow at times(he has a life).

I went with a Bower RamAir filter, again used(never installed) off VAF....BUT it was the big one for RV-10's andI had to do a little surgery to make it fit.

I also had to hack up my plenum pretty bad, not sure it was the correct one for my engine. In fact I will be redoing my plenum this winter.

Gotta love the Holy Cowl look

tmbg · Post by **tmbg** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 4:54 pm

It really does look good. Btw Brian, Dan and I looked over your plane pretty closely at OSH, and I gotta say it's absolutely gorgeous. The paint looks great; pictures don't do it justice!

ptrotter · Post by **ptrotter** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 6:57 am

I would not use the James plenum or airbox with the James cowl. I bought the plemum and did not like the way it fit. I ended up making my own and it was very easy and inexpensive. As for the airbox, you should look at Rod Bower's ram air system. It is much better built than the James airbox and should give some performance improvements.
See http://www.ramairforhomebuilts.com/ for more info.

Good luck,

Paul