Steve are you on the list and sent something to Mr. Klein?

In any event I have a couple of questions for Mr. Klein.

Jeffrey Klein responds on red.

1)How many cylinders? In diesels larger cylinders give better fuel
efficiency.

A)4 or six cylinders would be enough, in a horizontally opposed
configuration. An inline 5, if inverted, might be worth developing.


2)What would one of your 300 cubic inch diesels weigh?

A)Less than 500#, but precise answer about 6 weeks away.

3)Is that with an aluminum block?

A)Yes, but iron skeleton and cylinder liners.

4)What is the BSFC at 75% power.

A)Honestly, 0.34 or somewhat LESS.

5)Has it run at 75% power for 150 hours continuously?

A)No

6)What is the projected number of hours in aircraft service before it needs
to be overhauled?

A)Premature to answer that, but should be pretty good.

7)Do you have a plot of the torque variation as a function of crankshaft
angle? I ask because the Renault aircraft diesel was very hard on propellers.

A)This is in the report you can download. Remember, more power strokes contribute
to smoother operation.

8) What is the perfected cost for an aircraft version.

A)If uncertified, probably under $15,000 for 300 hp.

As back ground info on the rotary. The bare engine block weighs
about 190 pounds with cast iron end housings. About 140 pounds with
aluminum end housings. The firewall forward weight for a 190 pound NA engine
including prop, motor mount and cooling system is about 300 pounds.
Thousands of hours have been accumulated on 200 HP rotaries normally
aspirated in aircraft service. That is 200 HP take off power and 65% to 75% cruise
power.

The engine short block is 12 inches wide 14 inches tall and 18 inches long.
Typically the cooling system fits in the cowl with the engine reducing
the aerodynamic drag.


A)As an avid aviator and EAA member, I know this.

The retail price of the new bare 240 HP RX8 engine is $5800.
Over two million Mazda rotaries have been built and sold. Prop gear
boxes are $2500 to $6500.

The turbine we would be using is off the shelf and incorporated with the
turbo charger. Weight of a TO4 turbocharger is 16 pounds. Weight of the turbine RPM
reduction unit is still an unknown but my guess is less than ten pounds. Prop speed
reduction gear boxes weigh from 35 pounds to 45 pounds depending on the manufacturer.
New turbo chargers retail for less than $1000 in quantities of one.
Certain used Mazda engines are already equipped with turbo chargers. I once
owned an RX7 Tubo II with intercooler.

A)Great snap, poor economy.

Not as bad as you think. More power people use the power more fuel.
25 MPG on the highway at a steady 65 to 70 MPH.

The rotary is capable of running on jet A as well as auto fuel, 87 octane
and 100LL aviation fuel.

A)To run a rotary on diesel or jet, you have to
specially carburet it. Add heat. BSFC is not that good. Check out Patrick
power.

HP of the turbo compound version using  the 1954 TC technology level will be
300 HP based on a peripheral port 250 HP normally aspirated rotary flat
rated up to 25,000 foot altitude. Projected BSFC is .37. With further development
taking advantage of the lack of exhaust valves in the rotary I expect 325
HP and a BSFC of .34.

A) We both share confidence in the inefficiency of conventional poppet valves.

Paul Lamar



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