Lynn,  The variable lengths are so the engine will make useable mid-range
 > power, yes. The speeds are much higher though, if you
 > don't do at least 220 on the mulsane you won't be in the hunt at Le

Mans.

 > The big Fords and 917-930 Porsche were doing better
 > than 230 in the pre-chicane days. 5 miles is a LOOOONG straight.
 > Bill Jepson

Even better.
Copy the inlet diameter and length of the 4 rotor to the extent possible for
the maximum performance.

Lynn E. Hanover

I am with you whole heartily  Lynn on that. 

I was just thinking what it would involve for
an after market tuner to come up with an optimum manifold at only one
RPM. Lets say he wanted to try 5 different lengths. Now if velocity is
really all that important he needs to try five different diameters.
Due to the law of combinations he now has 5 x 5 or 25 separate dyno
runs to make with modification between runs. Each run must be carefully
corrected to standard atmospheric conditions or significant combinations
may not be noticed. Now he also has to note the HP's generated in the
range of interest say every 500 RPM. Lets say there are five of those
now we are up to 125 separate measurements. We have not yet mentioned
trying different ports and valve timings.

Back in the late 1960's Mazda recognized the enormity of trying to develop
a brand new engine type that nothing was known about. Mazda wisely
computerized their dyno room at that time to automatically accumulate
and analyze test data.

Paul Lamar
 
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