Paul:

Sorry I come across so stupid ... but I am somewhat of a hands-on guy.  Some
of this stuff would probably click a little faster if I could actually look
at some rotary installs.  I am have a little trouble, confusing the forest
with the trees.

So let me try things this way ...
I will give you a hypothetical engine.  You tell me if it makes sense

Start with an RX8 engine. This has side-exhaust ports
  (meaning the exhaust goes out through ports in the side-plates of the
   combustion chamber, then routes out through surprisingly small holes,
   coming out between the rotor housings. Right?).

  I am not sure how exhaust is connected to these side-ports.
  Are there just holes in the motor where short nipples are
  pressed into place?
   Is a flange of some sort bolted to the side of the engine?

  The stock RX8 uses EFI, correct?
  But since I might be even older than you are, the reliability of
  a carburetor sounds nice to me, and I have never set up an EFI system.
  Would it be stupid to NOT use EFI on an RX8?

Excellent performance is achieved with P-port intakes and tuned-length intake
manifold, right?

What would need to be done to an RX8 for recommended P-port intakes?

Robin

(note)
I know that some of these questions might seem stupid, but the real reason I
am coming across as quite "old fashioned" is that this project might take me
years. I might not be able to pass the FAA physical at that point in time.
If I could configure an engine in the 250# range, I could possibly then
license my Bearhawk Patrol as an LSA, placard it  as VNE of 138 MPH.  If I
was desperate enough, I would be willing to do without an electrical system
to make that happen. That would mean: no EFI, ignition (????), and possible
hand-propping.  A couple of my friends had Rockwell/Wankel powered Arctic Cat
snow machines, and they started well in below zero weather with a simple pull
of the rope.

Robin

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Correct on the RX8 side ports. There are studs coming out of the
block and 3 holes, one in each end housing and one in the center
housing.

Yes the stock RX8 uses EFI. A carb will work fine on
an RX8 engine. The best bet is a Holley 500 CFM 2 barrel.
P-port manifolds are easier to build even if you don't
need the extra HP. You need to bore holes in the RX8 rotor
housing. Jeff Doddridge will do that for you but it is
easy to do it yourself if you have a mill.
Here is a how to set:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKJ00JsnS8A

http://www.rotaryeng.net/fund-of-intake.html
http://www.rotaryeng.net/Welded-steel-p-port.html
http://www.rotaryeng.net/HOW-TO-INSTALL-HOLLEY.html
http://www.rotaryeng.net/slide-throttle.html

In general you want to read all the articles in this
section of the web site and look at all the pictures.

http://www.rotaryeng.net/intake.html

Paul Lamar