Alright, here's a good one for you "Pros" out there. My son and I are in the last 1/4 of our go kart build. It was done by using and old Yerf Dog Spiderbox frame. I widened the frame a bit so I could set up a shifter in the center if need be. But now the real question remains... What engine should I choose? I've had Robins Subaru engines in the past and like them, but I know they're bit fun when it comes to finding parts. I also have a '96 Briggs Vanguard V-Twin 18HP I've had since... a long time. I was thinking about making a gear reduction unit and running it that way, but then I'd have fitment issues with the rear frame, and the fact it could just be too much for the chain/axle. Then I have a '74 Yamaha MX175 Engine (Hence the shifter) that I wanted to use, but fear it'll either cut out due to the heavy load, or just not work at all. Any ideas?
Robins. Briggs, or Yamaha?
- Thread starter Evoluent
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KartFab
Active member
The 18 hp sounds like it would be fun with a 40 series torque converter.
That's one thing that never got clear to me is the difference between the TCs. I've replaced them but usually on Snowmobiles and other equip, so I always did things factory. I'm gonna need it 1" bore whatever route I go, regardless.
The Yamaha and Briggs are going to have fabrication issues. The Robin is the only one that might just be a simple bolt and go engine. You didn't say which Robin it was though. I know Robin has very expensive parts and aresometimes hard to source, but it might make your life a little easier
If all three of them are 1" bore, then i would just go for the 40 series TC.
You could always just get a 212cc Predator for $100
Post a pic of the kart so we can see what you are working with. It might influence our advice
If all three of them are 1" bore, then i would just go for the 40 series TC.
You could always just get a 212cc Predator for $100
Post a pic of the kart so we can see what you are working with. It might influence our advice
superballskart
Banned
The Yamaha had around 14 HP and 5 speed idk how it wouldn't pull it if a subaru engine would
Well, I'm 6'3 and weigh about 260, and the MX175 barely hauled me. Though it could just be it needs a severe tuning. It'd be the Subaru Robins EX21 is what the Manco Karts came with, I believe. That's a 3/4 but I'd still like to have the option of gears for steep hills and tall grass. That or if I find a way to make a MC trans run off a small engine. I'm chock full of overly complicated ideas...
DirtyDamage
New member
IMO...If i had that vanguard I'd go with that...a TC would let you pull hills easy, and with 18HP it'd be plenty.
UPDATE: I just got a free '78 Honda CM400 Hawk "Hondamatic" in which the frame/tank & plastic are completely trashed but the engine and electronics are impeccable. Only question is do I wanna put in on the Spiderbox or my Manco Scorpion I had since new?
DirtyDamage
New member
Other possibility you send it to me, and don't worry about it. Another option is to tell us how you get all these...
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HA! Someone mad jelly? JK. We've bought a lot of crap through the years, and the Vanguard is off my granddad's tractor. We put a Predator 22hp on it since the B&S was showing it's age. The Honda my uncle had and he just let it sit to waste. We WAS gonna have it junked until I was the one hauling the scrap heap. I can't tell you how many motorized things we went through the years... >.> The Yerf Dog I traded a F-250 parts truck for, and the Manco I've had for a long while.
DirtyDamage
New member
The closest thing I get to cheap engines are the HF Predators you lucky duck!
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