Mark and All Interested,
Let me clear up the questions
about this side plate housing.........First it
is only the front hsg (firewall side in
a/c)..........All the other cast iron hsgs are
available in aluminum from sources such as
"Racing Beat"
in the US and several other suppliers in
Canada , Australia & New Zealand if an all
alloy engine is desired.........To answer your
question Mark this hsg mimics the last
iteration of the "Mistral" engines mount
method
but hopefully not as complicated or
expensive........Remember "Mistral" was
building engines to be certified and we are
"Experimental".............
Currently the plan is for the hsg
to have intake ports like the 13B/20B (or no
ports if "P" port is desired).........Plan at
present is to use the RX-8 , 2004-2008 Renesis
front cover and waterpump.........It has been
ascertained that this front cover will fit
in the confines of the O/IO 540 Lycoming mount
ring by removing the alternator mount boss (on
top of the housing) and relocating the
alternator..........The oil pump would remain
stock.........The early 13B/20B front
covers could be used with only different bolt
spacing on the various covers but the water
pump hsgs of the early 13B/20B are
problematic..........Mark Steitle of this
group adapted the
RX8 water pump to his 20B by cutting the
pump hsg from the RX8 cover and bolting to his
engine..........The Rx8 cover has provision
for a stock crank angle sensor........Hope
this answers some of your questions and
I will be happy to answer any others that
you may have...........
On a personal note I think that if
there is someone out there with the drive and
financial means that a killer "Sport Class"
race plane utilizing an all alloy , boosted
20B with a realistic 1000 hp available is
possible
but it would take dedication and
money.........That said for those of us that
do not live at that level a more modest RV10 ,
Glasair or Lancair with up to a 300 hp 20B is
doable and more important
affordable........IMHO
Best,
Kelly Troyer