Comanche,

I aquired a Byron early last year and converted to a direct drive. It has an early DLE 50 in it and does extremely well in the air. My buddies Top FLight with a G45 will out run it but not by much. We essentially built a second firewall forward of the original and it is braced with Basewood blocks, a broom handle & Ply in the center point . I have enclose some pics for you. Please laugh at my expense the broom handle came with the plane. Ended up being a very sturdy brace I inherited. As a testimate to the bracing and forward firewall the pics taken are 2 days after an deadstick that had the plane go nose first into a culvert. Nose foward there is no damage and not a loose joint. Ripped the gear out but that was the worst. In short I have no reservations in moving a second firewall forward and adequately bracing it.

Z