G'day all
Let me say I don't work for Cobra
and don't mean to indorse their products. but in saying that and
sounding hypocritical I believe that they have one of the better
conversions on the market.
Cobra manufacture their own
composite aircraft and have been building Subaru conversions for many
years. Tom at Cobra has been working for about three years on the
rotary. Two planes are flying with the rotary without problem, apart
from the rev limiter kicking in but a bit more pitch on the prop fixed
that. Their engines are based on the RX8 engine, with a modified
manifold using a 75mm throttle body. I had seen the converted engine at
the dyno months before I met Tom at Cobra, and was informed at the time
by the tuner that it was producing an easy 200hp. And that was the
prototype.
I do believe Cobra are looking
at producing complete fire wall forward packages. For what aircraft I'm
not sure. At the moment he is supplying fwf kits for his own aircraft.
I was down there yesterday picking
up my cowls which they took a mold of, He is going to manufacture new
ones for me with any modifications that may be needed, scoops and such.
I guess I'm the guinea pig for the RV7 kit, but that's ok as I know it
will be a neat reliable package. Because the speed reduction lowers the
engine about 5" there should be plenty of room above the engine for a
neater manifold and such.
I watched a video of his plane
taking off and I swear he was airborne in 8 seconds. The performance I
have been informed by others is fantastic. The pics that I have
attached are of the first installation that he did and I saw one about
to be sent yesterday and I can tell you there have been some small
changes to the injector rails, more of a standard Mazda installation
and looks much neater.
As for the price you would have
to check with him. I will try and get more details for those that my be
interested. The engine Management computer is a Wolf 3D manufactured
here in Australia and has been around for some time. Tom has worked
with them to customise the computer for aircraft use. I already brought
my Wolf before I new this and will have to take it back to be modified.
Mine cost $1300 aussie dollars ($988 USD) that includes sensors and
engine monitor that can be used for tunning and also as an engine
immobiliser. This is Cobra's web site www.tomair.com.au I think there
is a video of the engine being run up.
I hope there arn't to many of us
waiting for mounts. Ron, I was told by Fred a long time ago that mine
would be made after he finished the RV7 mounts. I will check back
through his emails to me and see what date that was. Sounds suss to me.
Cheers
Michael
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