cwbullet said:
So as I understand it,
You can use gorilla motors in an amw case, but you need to swap out the nozel and bulkhead.
Better late than never here......
There always seems to be some confusion on this, and I didn't see anyone mention it but the same holds true for all Loki Research 76mm and 54mm reloads.
You can use ANY Loki Research 54mm or 76mm reload in either an AMW or Gorilla equivalent case, provided you use a Loki Nozzle, Loki Forward Bulkhead, and Loki Nozzle Washer. See the attachment from Paul Holmes. The only thing that changes from using a full Loki hardware set is the case.
These three items are sold as Conversion Kits and are on the Loki website. Conversion Kit Prices are
valid only when you buy one or more Loki Research reloads for that size case. Individual item prices apply otherwise. This saves you $28 on the 54mm parts and between $40-$53 on the 76mm. (different nozzle prices) If your local dealer does not have these kits, nag on him for me please.
I know there will be a few out there who don't know this, but a Loki 54/1200 is the same as an AMW or Gorilla 54/1050 case.
54/2000 = 54/1750
54/2800 = 54/2550
76/3600 = 75/3500
76/6000 = 75/6000
76/8000 = 75/7600
Why the difference? Well
one of the reasons is, when Jeff came out with the hardware, his design allowed room for more propellant and thus more total Ns in the same size case. This may not be true in every single instance, but just about. Go to
www.thrustcurve.org and compare equivalent propellant type loads in the same length case.
So, you can get more bang for your buck with Loki hardware and reloads, and that goes for EX hardware use too. The best example of this is the awesome
Loki M-3000.
Now the only caveat is the "NEW" Loki 54/2800 case and the Gorilla 54/2550 case. I have spoken with Jim about this and he knows I am not trying to throw him under the bus. I'm only trying to prevent potential mishaps by informing and educating the end user.
As many now know, the NEW Loki 54mm and 76mm hardware was made by the maker of Gorilla hardware. These cases had already been previously machined for Jim's use. What I did not realize is that the end margin on Gorilla 54/2550 cases is shorter than Loki 2800 and AMW 2550 cases. The end margin is the distance between the end of the case and the beginning of the snap ring groove. All AMW 54/2550 and older Loki 54/2800 cases have an end margin of 0.25". All shorter Loki and AMW 54mm cases have an end margin of 0.20". What I now know is that ALL Gorilla 54mm cases have a snap ring end margin of 0.20”, including the 54/2550.
On these new Loki 54/2800 cases, there is an extra 0.1" between the snap rings over what the old cases have. I have marked these cases with a file on the forward end of the case to identify them. Loki liners are usually cut 0.0625" to 0.125" short to make it easier to get the last snap ring in place. This means that on the ten 54/2800 cases I have, or on any Loki load used in a Gorilla 54/2550 case, there could be as much as 0.225" of liner/bulkhead engagement lost, leaving only 0.11" of liner going over the bulkhead shoulder. Again, this will only be noticed when using a Loki reload in a new “marked” Loki 54/2800 case, or a green Gorilla 54/2550 case.
Should this cause a problem? No. Could it cause a problem? Yes. It is entirely possible to get a burn through at the forward bulkhead if the liner is not properly seated or engaged into the bulkhead shoulder.
The Fix. Simply place an extra nozzle washer on top of the forward bulkhead. This will keep the bulkhead properly seated down into the liner. It’s that easy.
Keep the above fix in mind when using Loki reloads in a Gorilla 54/2550 case or new Loki 54/2800 cases. It isn't a bad idea to do this ANY time you have a big enough gap. At this time, I only know of one person who has a NEW Loki 54/2800 case and they are aware of the difference. When I get new 54/2800 cases made they will be made with a 0.25” snap ring end margin. I'll then decide what to do with the other ones I have.
