Hey Chip,

I am trying to figure out how you ever mounted the DA50 on the DOUBLE VISION with the PITTS MUFFLER as shown in the MANUAL without cutting this ARF apart. With the bottom of the cowl lined up with the front of the main gear the front of the cowl is about 5-3/8" from the firewall. This does not allow clearance for the PITTS MUFFLER as shown in the MANUAL. I ordered this plane, engine and accessories based on the photos in the manual because this is the exact setup I wanted and believed the airframe would handle this Muffler setup as there is no mention anywhere in the MANUAL of cutting this ARF up to make it work.

I will be the first to say I may be looking at this incorrectly so I would again like to request some info and pictures, which are not in the manual, depicting the installation procedure you utilized to install the DA50 with PITTS MUFFLER in the DOUBLE VISION.

I have emailed your website in the past stating the same as above and the response by one of your employees was "buy the quiet pipe!" and no reply to to my question relating to the PITTS MUFFLER.

I look forward to your response.

The DV was never really meant to be used with a pitts muffler, but it will work if you remove the bottom corner of the firewall and use the long standoffs. The stock muffler (DA can) or the quiet pipe, is prefered.

Chip

Or use a bison pitts, it has more of an angle. You don't have to cut the bottom of the firewall. Worked on mine before I got the quiet pipe.

Terry

Chip, if you look at page 21 of your manual for the DV you will see 2 pictures depicting a DV with a DA50 with a SLIMLINE PITTS MUFFLER with the cowl on and from those views there is no indication of cutting the firewall on this plane. In fact these are the very pictures that convinced me to buy this plane, engine and muffler. There is no indication anywhere that this ARF was going to have to be cut up and reformed. To be honest if I would have been told this when I was on the phone with you buying the plane and engine (when I also clearly stated as to what exhaust I was planning) I would not have ever laid out $100 for the SLIMLINE PITTS MUFFLER.

Ultimately I'm disappointed that I bought an ARF that needs this kind of alteration not to mention I now have a $100 muffler that I don't want to use as I just do not wish to cut the firewall and let's not forget about the cost of another exhaust.

I look forward to your response.

Twindaddy,
I know a guy who is building a plane that might want your mufler. Ping me on [email protected]

I can see that the later DV's were updated to take the superior header and pipe set-up. My flying buddy has the set-up with the pipe/belly pan modification and it has MORE power and is way quieter. The pipe set-up looks a lot better and removes much less of the cowl. I would change your plan if I were you and sell the muffler.

Also there is a Hydemount that will make the airframe of the plane a lot quieter.


Regards,

Eric.

Hey Chip,

Let me know what the DV needs for a muffler combo with the DA. we're doing a bunch of different aftermarket and custom mufflers for the 50. Probably do a nice lite pitts for the DV/DA witth no mods.

Al
JTEC/RADIOWAVE

First of all I must apologize for the manuel that has those pics, it has been updated for well over a year now. The only thing is when we redid the web site some of the things that had been updated did not get copied to the new site. I hve not had anyone mention that the manual had all the old pics instead of the new ones that match the modern Double Vision. Now after admiting this I also want to clarify that I in no way would let you go out and buy a pitts style muffler for this or any of my planes. I have never encouraged it because of the work that is involved in getting it mounted correcectly and having to remove the bottom corner of the firewall.

If you have not made other arrangements at this time I will be glad to swap you for a stock DA-50 Can muffler and refund the additional $20.00 or we can get you a header and pipe for your pitts muffler for an additional $50.00

Let me know if either of these options is what you would like.

Thanks

Chip

Well with all that said I guess my only response would be, you need to post the latest and greatest manual. A very big part of the equation is the manual and if it stinks eventually the whole project stinks.

As for the pitts muffler I took matters into my own hand and "remanufactured" the slimline so no firewall cutting was needed. I cut the exhaust between the header and can section, machined a hunk of 6061 to fit between them both lowering and offsetting the can section, tig welded it all together, and now the only hole in the side of the cowl will be where the header section bolts to the motor.

20 years of teaching classes relating to machining and welding helps. I guess if I were a carpenter i would have just cut the firewall.

All in All I love the plane. If you have a point at which I can download the latest manual I would sure appreciate it.