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

Hello Barret,

Just wondering what aircraft you have decided upon building???  Planning
flying over the mountain ranges much?  I used to live in Wyoming, Rock
Springs, Riverton, Laramie, drove into Utah lots to snow ski years ago.  I
used to fly a bit in a tail dragger with a friend working a Uranium Mine
Camp near Riverton...

GFCurtis Jr.