David Mazzei may well have the best-sounding turbocharged rotary on the planet, but how he chased down that elusive F1 V10 sound with this masterpiece of an engine is somewhat unexpected.
Rotary engines are often labelled as temperamental and unreliable, but David Mazzei of Mazzei Formula believes the opposite. In his view, rotaries can be among the most reliable engines when properly understood.
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In this episode of Tuned In, David shares his journey from a childhood fascination with technology and cars to becoming a rotary engine expert. He discusses the challenges and rewards of owning and daily-driving his first RX-7.
We dive deep into rotary tuning, starting with the fundamentalsâair-fuel ratios, exhaust gas temperatures, and the critical relationship between ignition timing and engine reliability. David also shares his views on engine building, apex seals, and porting, and explains why rotaries deserve a far better reputation than theyâve been given.
We explore the evolution of his five-rotor engine, what it took to bring such an ambitious project to life, and the challenges of building something this complex. David breaks down the science behind its unforgettable sound and reveals how his background in music helped him dial in and replicate the pitch of an F1 V10.
Davidâs passion for the rotary engine is undeniable. Heâs a wealth of knowledge, and what heâs achieved with his MF5 Superlite is nothing short of extraordinary. If you have even a passing interest in rotary engines, this is an episode you donât want to miss.
đ Use the code âPODCAST500â to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip
Follow David here:
Instagram: mazzei_formula
Youtube: mazzeiformula
Facebook: David Zachary Mazzei
Timestamps:
0:00 Building The Worlds Best Sounding 5 rotor
4:11 How did you become interested in cars?
17:20 How did daily driving your first RX7 at 17 go?
21:55 Rotary reliability
29:16 How did you learn to tune? Â
37:24 Can you explain the different rotary engine ports?
40:15 Driveability with modern ECUâs on a bridge port or peripheral port?
46:15 EGTâs on rotary engines
55:15 Air fuel ratios and timing on rotary engines
1:06:05 Can you explain rotary split?
1:12:33 How did the 5 rotor project develop?
1:23:17 Is the turbo charger irrelevant to the sound of the engine?
1:30:30 How do we go about building a 5 rotor?
1:38:23 Billet vs factory cast blocks
1:42:46 Whatâs your opinion on apex seals?
1:46:25 Should we be running premix in our rotaryâs?
1:53:37 How important is injector timing?
1:57:25 Final 3 Questions
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