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Re: Modernizing the Pacer?
Dynon Skyview including auto pilot.
Garmin 650 type radio.
Complete re-wire.
Electronic Ignition
180 Hp with CS prop.
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Re: Modernizing the Pacer?
Forgot to add: Slotted Wings
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Administrator
Re: Modernizing the Pacer?
What is your mission? That would be the first question. I bought a T18 Thorp a while back and keep looking at the 1977 panel and avionics. I got excited thinking of the possibilties because of it being experimental. It quickly became aparent that I would be sending thousands of dollars to replace things that work fine with these great new wonders to fly day vfr from point A to point B which I do right now just fine with the bare minimum instruments and an older handheld GPS. The new stuff is really nice but I would rather spend the money flying it and going places. I am sure I will slowly upgrade the radio, transponder and engine instrumentation starting with a fuel flow gauge a friend gave me.
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Re: Modernizing the Pacer?
Originally Posted by
Steve Pierce
What is your mission? That would be the first question. I bought a T18 Thorp a while back and keep looking at the 1977 panel and avionics. I got excited thinking of the possibilties because of it being experimental. It quickly became aparent that I would be sending thousands of dollars to replace things that work fine with these great new wonders to fly day vfr from point A to point B which I do right now just fine with the bare minimum instruments and an older handheld GPS. The new stuff is really nice but I would rather spend the money flying it and going places. I am sure I will slowly upgrade the radio, transponder and engine instrumentation starting with a fuel flow gauge a friend gave me.
I'm at the same place with my Pacer, have a 430w sitting on the shelf but have an ipad mini mounted in the plane that does everything I need to do. Would like to finish my IFR rating, but have no plans to fly actual IFR in the Pacer.....
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Re: Modernizing the Pacer?
If you're doing the complete rebuild I would consider some of the x-brace modifications discussed in this thread:
http://www.shortwingpipers.org/forum...hlight=x-brace
I'm thinking this would be a big priority if I had the fuselage bare for an upgrade.
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Administrator
Re: Modernizing the Pacer?
Originally Posted by
wmvosburgh
The Pacer has a V structure overhead like a Husky so it is pretty good in that area. Brian does something like an X in the tail.
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Re: Modernizing the Pacer?
I wouldn’t add any fancy avionics to mine, maybe a Garmin G5. But some carbon fiber here and there and those slotted flaps would be awesome.
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Re: Modernizing the Pacer?
I put a Garmin G5 in my Thorp because it didn't have an attitude indicator or a vacuum system. I occasionally lose the GPS signal in the turns so I recommend using an external antenna with it.
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Re: Modernizing the Pacer?
I'm with ak drifter on the g5, I'd probably install 2 and throw out the ancient dg and ai. That would also allow me to use the second one as the vor(if ever), I'd probably go with a cgr 30p and install the fly pad on the right side just like Mark. I'm not excited about the surface mount look of the g5's so I'd machine a flush mount for them and go back over the whole panel with a factory style bezel. For sure I'd do the airframe SB and ad a pilot door and the skylight. Then I'd rewire, install LEDs and a uavionix adsb, then I'd pillage all the excess weight. I'd get really excited if I could use oratex. Once I decided on the mission (bush or xc) I'd install -18 gear, tail and cartoon rubber, or streamline for speed. Oh and a O360 and cs.... So, to recap, unless I got all those components for a song or donated I'd be bucks ahead to rebuild a basic 180, 185 or 206, or a -18, disgustingly it probably wouldn't cost alot more than my dream pacer, and it would be easier for the bride to sell once I attained room temp..... Sure wouldn't be anywhere near as fun to fly though. Flying a spam can is like........ lots a boring
Last edited by rsrguy3; 11-05-2018 at 05:12 PM.
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Re: Modernizing the Pacer?
I would leave as much out as I could.
I "Modernized" in 1975 and if I rebuild again I would do 1950.
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