Hi Everyone,

I'm am in the very beginning of building a homebuilt aircraft. I WAS going
to use a Corvair power plant until I found out that despite a lot of work
from others, the Corvair has a crank problem with modified engines. I need
something with just a bit more power than the Corvair can deliver reliably,
so I started looking around. In doing so, the Mazda rotary seems to be a
great alternative. Now- I am a pretty good mechanic with a lot of experience
in American made v-8 power and supercharging- not what I need for this
project. I know NOTHING at all about rotary engines, so I'm here to learn,
as much as I can and as quickly as I can. While I'm learning about the
rotary I'll be starting the build on my aircraft.
I need somewhere between 140-160 HP, not much for this engine but a lot more
than I can get from the 'Vair engine.

I'm sure I'll ask some dumb questions to a lot of you....but not to me...LOL
Right now I don't even know where to start or what to look for. I live in
Salt Lake City, so much if not all of my flying will be in higher altitudes
and on a piston engine this would normally require some forced induction
help. It doesn't seem necessary with the rotary to get the modest power that
I need, or am I wrong? Carb or EFI? I know I'll need a PRSU, so any
suggestions on that? Anyone have any ideas on what the potential cost would
be for what I am looking for? Reliability is the biggest factor by far.
So- I am open for suggestions on all aspects and always looking for
opportunities to learn more.
Thanks!
-Barrett in SLC, UT

Dave Leonard went 229 MPH at this years Reno air race in a 1991 Mazda RX7 turbo II rotor
engine in an RV6. You won't do that with a Corvair :)
Start with reading everything on the web site. We try to keep it up to date.

Don't be shy about asking any questions. We are still learning how to answer
them and we are till learning new things about the rotary after 12 years of doing
this.

A carb by far is the quicker and easier. A Holley 2 barrel is about right.
Tracy Crook RWS is making PSRU's based on the Ford auto trany used in the Ford diesel
power stroke PU with 650 foot pounds. Get the 2.85:1 version.

Tracy wants about $3000 for the PSRU. Hundreds have been sold with many flying
for years.

Cost for the engine can be as little as nothing. Some guy gave me one because
no mechanic he took it to could find a crack in the rubber elbow in the intake manifold :)
It was in perfect shape except for the leak.

A good rebuild is about $3500. Usually no core is required. If you are in CA
Mazdatrix does a good job in Signal Hill. Perry Mick has 600 hours on a Mazdatrix
engine so far in his long EZ. They are rather easy to rebuild yourself.
Here is a place with some free shop manuals.
http://foxed.ca/index.php?page=rx7manual

Paul Lamar



I live in SLC.
Project moving along, a Q2 with a p port single rotor.
Happy to share info, ideas.

Lewis.

Got any jpgs Lewis?

Paul Lamar