Roberto Costa wrote:
Dear friends at Rotary Engine mailist:
I´m begining to build (slowly) a BD-4.
One felow builder recomended the rotary engine.
I would like to know if there are some BD4 with rotary engine.
Near impossible to find a wankel here in Brazil - in the whole country, there are perhaps one or two RX-7 - but it´s a interesting engine, and, who knows, some day our import policies may change.
Also, any info about the Ford V6 3.8L alternative engine is welcome.
Thank you in advance for your attention and courtesy.
Roberto Costa, São Paulo, Brasil.
We have several BD4's being built with rotary engines. There should be some japanese
people in São Paulo with contacts in Japan that might be able to get a used
Mazda rotary engine directly from Japan.
I don't recommend the Ford V6. It is much heavier than the Mazda 2 rotor
and not as long lasting in air craft service. The fire wall forward weight
of the V6 would be well over 400 pounds or about 900 Kg.
Paul,
At the risk of sounding picky, I think you mean 200 kg. The entire aircraft will be about 900 kg. If they really are interested in Fords, then the Duratec 3.0 liter V6 would be a better choice. About 25 kg lighter than the 3.8 with stock forged components and 200 HP out of the box. Not nearly as favorable wt/HP as the rotary and its substantially taller than the 3.8 (about 13 cm taller). The 3.0 liters may be more difficult to locate in Brazil than the old standby 3.8 liters.
Charlie Smith
KIS Cruiser 4021
You are right Charlie. I should have divided by 2.2 rather than multiplied by 2.2.
Why can't we all just get along and uses inches :)
My guess is the 3.0 L HP rating is at a higher RPM so the gear reduction
will be higher and the hand grenade mode will be worse with the engine
running at a higher RPM. Not what you want to do with a piston engine.
Ever been in a dyno room when a racing V8 is developing full chat?
Your immediate inclination is to flee :) A rotary on the other hand is loafing
at 6000 RPM.
Paul,
I think the 3.0 develops its full HP at about 6000 rpm. Actually, it shows two peaks due to a really different intake manifold design. I'm not sure about the 3.8 but its likely in the 5000-5500 range. I remember being out with a good friend a couple of time in his '66 Vette. Listening to his 427 as it approached 7000 rpm would always make the hair on my neck stand on end. Hand grenade is about right. But wow, what power! I always found it really impressive (after getting over the scared simple part).
Charlie Smith
KIS Cruiser 4021
The Rotary Engine NewsLetter. Powered by Linux.
ACRE NL web site. http://home.earthlink.net/~rotaryeng/
Copyright 1998-2004 All world wide rights reserved.