So I couldn’t sleep… not strange. So my mind wandered onto my o320 in the RV6A and drifted to the “strange that the engine is such an old design, wish it would just start and lean itself out, fuel injection would be nice, electronic ignition” debate started in my head. So I started tooling around and found RX8 Wankel engines. Less weight (talked to an importer, about 320lb without gearbox but still including heavy intake and exhaust and all car accessories that could be adjusted for flying or removed) , more power (again, he estimates 211HP), fuel injected, less vibration, electronic ignition that should self regulate and it burns regular fuel so it should be future proof against whatever they decide to do about leaded AVGAS.
I know it would mean a new cowling, figuring out how to get air through the radiator, and a new engine mount (and 1000 little things I’m not thinking of). Just kinda wanted to see if anyone had looked into it before and why you did or did not go through with it. I really see good potential on these engines and have seen the video of the guy who did the climb record to 10,000 in his Wankel RV8. What are people’s thoughts?
I know it would mean a new cowling, figuring out how to get air through the radiator, and a new engine mount (and 1000 little things I’m not thinking of). Just kinda wanted to see if anyone had looked into it before and why you did or did not go through with it. I really see good potential on these engines and have seen the video of the guy who did the climb record to 10,000 in his Wankel RV8. What are people’s thoughts?