To the group - keep up the good work!  Hopefully we can fill in
the gaps, and get the Mazda Rotary Engine to a point where builders
can really (REALLY!) purchase a reasonably priced, firewall-forward
solution from competing vendors.  Capitalism is a Good Thing.  I'd
set target price for a FWF solution to match that of, say, Van's,
plus the PSRU.

Vince Orton

I dunno-     ~ $1000 for an engine mount,  ~$500 for a custom
radiator, Exhaust ~ $1000, hoses~$1000, EFI and ignition computer
~$800,  13B freshly overhauled $3000, various fittings, wires,
mainifolds, throttle bodies, etc~$3000.  Redrive- $2000. Total of
around $13,000 if you aren't really trying to squeeze a buck. How
could that ever compete with a Lycoming from Van's for over $20,000?

Logistically it would be difficult to have a different mount for
different types of aircraft, along with exhaust, cooling, etc. This
is what makes marketing a firewall forward package difficult. The
first ones would have to be targeted at the most numerous kits sold.
That makes Van's the most lucrative market for fire wall forward kits.

Brian Trubee

That is funny Brian. I think you are exaggerating the prices of the
hoses and motor mounts a tiny bit. :-)>

Paul Lamar

That WAS funny!  Of course the point Brian is making is that the wankel
solution should be considerably less expensive - even with gold plated
exhaust and hoses!

Let me restate:
I'd set target price for a FWF solution to match that of, say, Van's
(motors excluded), plus the PSRU, oil cooler, and radiators.  Everything
else should be a wash - approximately.

Here's an example (forgive me if I forget anything significant, but I
think this illustrates the point):
Wash    Cowl (hopefully the stock one!)
Wash    Propeller
Wash    Engine Mount
Wash    Exhaust
Wash    EFI + Ingition Controllers
Wash    Various Fittings, Wires, Etc.
Wash    Manifolds
Wash    Throttle Body
Wash    Cowl Air Ducting
$3000   Redrive
$1000   Radiator(s) and oil cooler(s)
$200    Hoses

Spending the additional ~$4,200 for the FWF should MORE than compensate
for the $14,000 savings every time you install a motor (based on a
$4,000 wankel vs. an $18,000 Lycoming), say, every 2000 hours.  (4000
hours?)

Putting the superior design, reliability, and drastically reduced
failure points aside for the moment, the cost savings alone would make
the wankel FWF solution accessible, even desirable, to a larger market.

As those familiar with Open Source Software (Linux, etc.) may know, the
more people that use the product, the more bugs you can shake out
sooner.  In fact, this ACRE newsletter shares many things in common with
the Open Source Software - the open sharing of ideas and technology
being the most important.  We would ALL benefit from available quality
alternatives.  I think Tracy's stuff is a HUGE step in the right
direction.  I plan to use his components, and wish him the best - he's
earned it.

I agree with Brian that potential FWF developers should start with the
largest market available - Van's Aircraft.  (Of course I'm looking at
starting an RV-7, so I couldn't agree more!)  But the debugging that
takes place there would quickly benefit all wankel installations, as
many parts can be standardized.  Engine mounts would be the main
exception I think, but of course they're others.

-Vince Orton

 
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