Tracy Crook wrote:

Peter Cowan/Lexi Cameron wrote:

In a broader vein, I'd appreciate input (especially from folks currently
flying Mazdas) on the issue I'm wrestling with. My 170-like homebuilt has
been flying well for 16 years with a 180 lyc and cs prop. I want an

honest

200+hp with the same weight (using fixed pitch prop), less money than the
lyc is worth and equivelant reliability.
I've been "listening" to you folks for a couple of weeks now and must say
the Mazda sounds good. Can a Mazda give reality to my dream?

Based on my last 800+ hours of flight experience with the Mazda 13B, the
answer is yes.   My engine is giving me about 180 HP (@ 6000 rpm) but
context is important in any of these discussions.  My engine was a 70,000
mile junkyard piece that I gave a minimal overhaul (apex seals & gaskets).

My emphasis was on an economical and easily built conversion.  From the time
I dragged the engine home (I had never seen a rotary before) to first flight
was about 6 months and much of that time was spent finishing the airplane
(RV-4).  Total spent on engine installation including PSRU, engine
instruments, all accessories, overhaul, etc was about $5000.   I know of no
other engine in this HP range that would have a prayer of succeding on such
a small budget and in the short development time I had.   My installation is
admitedly un-refined and not optomized for maximum power but it does
demonstrate the inherent ability of the 13B to perform well in the aircraft
applications.

With a slightly more refined engine, it is not at all out of the question to
expect 200 HP.  In fact I think my engine would do that if I upped the
operational RPM to 6500 - 7000.

I wrote a conversion guide on the subject for those interested in all the
gory details.

Tracy Crook   rws@altavista.net

 
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