"twochevrons" (twochevrons)
08/26/2014 at 10:11 • Filed to: None
3
9|
"twochevrons" (twochevrons)
08/26/2014 at 10:11 • Filed to: None | 3
| 9 |
And to continue the Volvo theme from the FP, I can confidently say that the 850R likes this kind of weather.
I normally take the bus to work – the line that I catch runs frequently, takes me almost door-to-door, and it's much cheaper than parking. But with the state fair on, one of the university's parking lots has been turned into a free park-and-ride lot for the fair. The Volvo hasn't seen much use lately, so I thought that I'd take the opportunity to drive to work this week.
The heat and humidity have finally broken here in Minnesota, and we had a lovely 55-degree morning today. I bought the R in early summer, so I've had no real opportunities to try it out in lower temperatures. Holy wow, does it make a difference! It wasn't exactly slow before, but with lower ambient temperatures, that giant intercooler can do an even better job, and you can really feel it, right from the moment that it comes on boost.
Although the R's turbo is not as untamed as the insane '80s monsters that preceded it, its power delivery is still hilariously non-linear and unpredictable, and on a morning such as this, hitting that magical boost threshold feels as though somebody's lit a rocket under you. If I keep this up, I suspect that my front tires won't be long for this world. It definitely loves to light them up at the slightest provocation.
No photos of commuting shenanigans – it's rather hard to take photos while battling monstrous torque-steer – but here's a photo that I took last time I was down at the hangar. Not my plane, unfortunately, but maybe one day...
rhorizon
> twochevrons
08/26/2014 at 10:14 |
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Turbo wagon in front of a Mooney
Excuse me, I have to walk this off
505Turbeaux
> twochevrons
08/26/2014 at 10:19 |
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man I miss my 850R wagon. Nice whip!
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twochevrons
> rhorizon
08/26/2014 at 10:20 |
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It belongs to the guy in the hangar next door. In ours we've got an Ercoupe (my wife's grandfather is 90 and still flies it regularly) and a V-tail Bonanza (belonging to a friend of his). Along with an MGA, VW Scirocco, a Karmann Ghia and a '60s Beetle in dire need of restoration.
I've not got my pilot's license yet, but I'm thinking of going for a sport pilot certificate so that I can take the Ercoupe up, and then see where that takes me.
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rhorizon
> twochevrons
08/26/2014 at 10:26 |
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I would do dirty dirty things to go up in a V-tail Bonanza, it's been a favorite since childhood. I've not flown anything smaller than a C172 or a D40, but I've reached a point in the hobby where I'm craving simplicity - that's where sport and something like the Ercoupe come in. I'm sure it'll be a blast for you if you head down that road!
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twochevrons
> rhorizon
08/26/2014 at 10:38 |
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I haven't met the guy, but I'd love to go for a ride in the Bonanza, too. They're just so iconic, it would be criminal to miss the opportunity!
My wife's grandfather is an aviation nut through-and-through. Before the Ercoupe, he had a C195 that he flew cross-country on a regular basis. The simplicity of the Ercoupe really appeals to me, too. The MGA that lives next to it in the hangar is mine, and just like the Ercoupe, the MG is just about as lightweight and minimal as it can be. Plus, they're from about the same era, and it's funny how remarkably similar the starting procedures are, right down to the pull-handle for the starter switch. Plus, pulling up in the MG and then jumping into the Ercoupe would make me feel like the most awesome man alive!
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twochevrons
> 505Turbeaux
08/26/2014 at 10:53 |
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Best cheap-but-interesting-beater impulse purchase ever. But now I like it too much to consider it a beater. Problem.
nucciOMG
> twochevrons
08/26/2014 at 12:02 |
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Time for an FMIC buddy!
My P2R back when it was red.
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twochevrons
> nucciOMG
08/26/2014 at 21:46 |
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Oooooh, that looks fantastic. I like the clean install, too – I'd hate to have to cut up the front bumper (although mine is currently held together with duct tape and zip ties anyway).
What colour is yours now? I bought my R as a cheap beater, but it's grown on me. It needs some work, and it's gone a long way, but I'd love to do a few mild performance upgrades on it in future.
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nucciOMG
> twochevrons
08/27/2014 at 14:02 |
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Yeah there was a little cutting to make the FMIC fit. I went with a 3" core which is probably overkill. Right now it's dipped blue, almost looks like sonic blue from the factory.
