Hi Paul,
         A couple of pics of the gearbox bits so far. I am going to see if the gearbox can
be made so as to be able to change the ratio to 2.85 or 3.17 relatively easily.
                 Cheers Chris. in NZ


Looking good Chris. Good idea. Since the stock red line on the Mazda RX8 is 9000 RPM the
3.12 makes the most sense. At 1700 prop RPM that gives 8400 Engine RPM which is still below the 300 HP possible with a Mazda p-port at 9000 RPM. My guess is an easy 280 HP. That puts the Mazda rotary 100 pounds lighter than any piston aircraft engine of the same power and about the same weight as a turbo prop engine with half the fuel burn. With aluminum end housings it would be 50 pounds lighter still. Of course a turbo compound version would destroy the rest of the light aircraft engine industry and give more power at altitude than a turbo prop.

I wonder when they are going to wake up :)

Paul Lamar


Hi Paul,
        Here are a few more pics of gearbox parts, I am going to make it so it can be used for pusher or tractor configuration.
            Cheers Chris.

Beware those rubber doughnut couplings. They have about a 5000 RPM limit.
That could have been the demise of the Rotomax. The crash occurred because the
engine disconnected from the prop. They are also a bit too stiff.

What brand is it?

Paul Lamar


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