David Sowers wrote:

I'm the one who is considering getting an engine from the junkyard.  I assure you
that it will be totally disassembled, inspected, and rebuilt with utmost care
since i'm the one who wants to fly behind it.  I have more time than money and
will take the time to ensure that everything is working well before it will be
airborne.

Dave Sowers

I got a real junk engine from the junk yard :-) One rotor was useless
as were the rotor housings. The point is you will probably get better
parts if you buy a running car for overhaul. I don't suggest doing what
Perry did. I always recommend overhauling the engine your self so you
know what goes in it. I think Ken also has some experiences along these
lines. I think you are more likely to get a better core for overhaul
if you buy a good running car.

Paul Lamar

My goal is to find a junkyard engine for a car that was junked because of an accident
and not because it wouldn't run.  I am still looking at the adds for cars in the paper
hoping to get a running engine.  I checked Mazdatrix today for pricing for the 89-91
Turbo 13b and the prices are 3000 to 4500 approx. for that engine depending on how
extensive the rebuild job was.

Paul, since this engine is harder to find.  What are the differences between that and
the older engines.  To get the power I want (180 hp)  what would the pitfalls be for
going with an older engine and turbo charging it (or would it be better to start with a
block of aluminum and start carving ; )?

Dave Sowers

The most important thing is the turbo itself and the exhaust manifold. 
The late 89-92 turbo's will fit the earlier 87-88 four port turbo engines 
with the low compression rotors. The 87-88 versions are guaranteed to be
cracked. If you had to buy one of these 89-92 exhaust manifolds and turbo's
you could pay as much as $1000 for a used set in the States. I was
lucky enough to buy a set in Sydney Aus. at Jap Performance for $250 US.
Jap Performance will mail order to the states.

There were some other improvements in 89. The hot tip for turbo
apex seals as explained to me by Ken Welter is the stock 13B RX7 GSL 3 mm seals
used in the 84-86 first gen RX7's. The later low compression rotors 
can be ground out to 3 mm by Hurley Engineering in England or Pineapple 
Racing in Portland Oregon. Ken knows as he has blown apex seals by too 
much nitrous oxide while taking off in his Coot.

If you just want NA power at sea level the easiest and cheapest way
to get at least 180 HP and probably 200 HP or more is go to a peripheral 
port set up. Lighter weight than the turbo option and no intercooler
would be required.

Paul Lamar
 
The AirCraft Rotary Engine NewsLetter.              Powered by Linux.
ACRE NL web site.
http://home.earthlink.net/~rotaryeng/            http://www.linux.org