Rotary Engines

Posts: 1

Hello All,
I am new to this forum and new to the world of Buggies and Go Karts. Let me preface by saying I am not trying to sell anything! I am however trying to gather intell for the company I work for and what better place than by asking those who actually participate. Is there a general interest for a rotary engine? And if so, what would you be looking for considering hp, overhaul time, price, etc. We will over the next several months be attending events, shows and races, but that is from the manufacturers side. I'd love to hear from the drivers.
Thanks in advance...
Cameron

Posts: 1161

If you are going to be building this engine from scratch, or have the ability to change the outside of the block, make it a bolt in swap. 99% of the small buggies use 1 of 2 engines. You would do well if you could make 20 hp for the 150cc replacement and 30 for the 250cc. Of course more is always welcome. If you made a bolt in package where all we had to do was wrap the chain around the sprockets and kept it under a thousand bucks, you'd have a winner.

Actually if you hit the HP numbers above it would probably be more than enough given the unique torque chararteristics of the rotary engine. (3 power "strokes" per revolution)

Posts: 154

Price is the big problam with rotary engines. They are great as far as weight and HP to weight ratio. I looked into them a few years ago and the only vendor I could find (Rotamax) wanted about $5000 for a 650cc and $8500 for a 1300cc. You could produce way more horsepower for the buck with a Hayabusa engine for about half the price.

If you could come up with a 35HP engine for less than $2000 and a 60HP engine for less that $3500 I think you would have a market.

Posts: 69

Rotary engines are lighter and smaller in size and would be easier to adapt to buggys and smaller karts.

Posts: 6274

But the cost would be the ultimate factor. I have a rotary engine in an rc airplane. Smaller and lighter than other engines, but very costly.