doug,

all aluminum engines are available now, just very
expensive. racing beat has aluminum housings for 13b
and 20b engines. front housing $1200, intermediate
housing $1750, rear housing $1425.

gary
midland, tx

Gary,
I'm sure Doug was alluding to factory aluminum housing or at least factory
standard housings ( with integral steel liner) at a reasonable price. The
prices on the racing housings are way too much and no one knows the
longevity of the housing linings in question.
Mistral has to manufacture their own housings because of QA and shown Audit
trail for Certification, perhaps down the trail!?
If I remember correctly the steel liner isn't a Mazda developed process - it
is owned by someone else ( in Japan), however I believe that the process is
carried out in-house within Mazda, perhaps under License.
I was hoping Doug would find out more about this process, as he lives and
works in Japan - how about it Doug?
George (down under)

"If I remember correctly the steel liner isn't a Mazda developed
process - it is owned by someone else ( in Japan),"

Where did you read that George? As far as I know Mazda developed it.
At least they are taking credit for it. Here is a display
just inside the entrance to the engine factory.

Gary, I used to live in Midland back in the late 60's when I
worked for Chaparral.