another engine question

[tgus3]

Hi I am thinking about getting a new engine to replace my old Honda 5.5 hp. I am looking for something a little bigger than the Predator 6.5 hp and less than $200. Thanks

 

[anickode]

Hi I am thinking about getting a new engine to replace my old Honda 5.5 hp. I am looking for something a little bigger than the Predator 6.5 hp and less than $200. Thanks

Short of a used engine, good luck.

Might snag a predator 301 at harbor freight if you wait long enough for a good sale.

---------- Post added at 08:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:49 PM ----------

How much is a little bigger?

Ive gotten some real beasts at the salvage yard before for $50 or less. Use the extra money to fix and upgrade.

Or throw some coin at the Honda. Those are good engines that will last a long time. $200 could pretty easily get your current engine into the 8+ hp range if it's not destroyed.

 

[tgus3]

How much would that predator be? I would want tops maybe 11 horse. Whatever my 30 series torque converter can handle.The honda is 5-10 years old, is it worth it to fix up?Also I was wondering about upgrades to do on that honda without buying parts is there anything to do? thanks

 

[landuse]

11HP is seriously pushing it for a 30 series TC. They are only rated for 8HP. Be prepared to eat through belts at a much faster rate

 

[bob58o]

I'm guessing you had a 3/4" drive shaft. The bigger engines have a 1" shaft. There might be engines bigger than 212cc with a 3/4 shaft, but I can't think of any off the top of my head.

The 301cc or bigger will need at least a 30 series with 1" Driver Unit.
390/420cc engines should use a 40 series with 1" Driver Unit.

But for $200, you can probably have a new 10HP engine. Why don't you want to buy parts?

 

[bob58o]

With $200 in my pocket....

I would get a 212cc 60363 on sale for $110 after tax.
https://www.harborfreight.com/engin...hv-horizontal-shaft-gas-engine-epa-60363.html

This Exhaust
$25
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PREDATOR-21...400583&hash=item3d3a829bd1:g:zMAAAOSwVJhZRD7k

This Carb Adapter
$22 shipped with code DIYGOKARTS
http://www.gopowersports.com/manifold-for-mikuni-vm-22-with-gasket/

This Carb with Filter
$34 shipped
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mikuni-VM22...d=253086349972&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

This offset timing key
$11 shipped
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Honda-GX1...SP-/191338323349?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

Remove the governor for free!!!!

And there goes all $200 in your pocket plus $2 more you borrowed. You still need a throttle cable and bolts for the manifold and carb, but for less than ~$220 you'll have a nice new engine that should spin 5k RPM and make around 9-10 HP and will work with a 3/4 30 series TC.

 

[tgus3]

Yes its 3/4 shaft. What parts would I get for my it (Honda)?

Upgrade parts.

 

[bob58o]

So do I get to spend $200 on parts for the Honda?
If so it would still be exhaust, intake, and ignition timing, but then I would add a billet connecting rod, a camshaft, and stiffer valve springs.

GX160?

---------- Post added at 11:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:55 PM ----------

Well now is the time you have to tell us what this honda engine is powering.

 

[tgus3]

Hope these pics work..

 

[bob58o]

FOR AN EXAMPLE...
Not sure this is a good idea on an old engine, but for $178 shipped...here's a list of things to do and parts I came up with.

Replace Stock Air Box with Air Filter Adapter and K&N Cone style filter
Like this... You might find one you like better or a cheaper one.....
Air Filter Adapter and Air Filter with Choke Bracket
$21
http://www.nrracing.com/product-p/airfilterkit-nr.htm

Replace Stock Exhaust with Open Header / Exhaust Pipe
Exhaust Pipe
$25
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-GX160...949649?hash=item51f7ee7051:g:7aoAAOSwCGVX4Yvt

Replace stock carburetor jets with bigger jets, or drill the stock jets bigger.
Micro Drill Bits with Pin Vise
$8
61-80 like 0.013" - 0.039"
http://www.ebay.com/itm/17pc-FINE-T...CE-/172076133863?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

Advance Ignition Timing
Offset Timing Key
$7
6 or 8 degrees
http://www.nrracing.com/product-p/nrkey.htm

Replace stock rod with an ARC Rod
Billet Connecting Rod
$60
http://www.nrracing.com/product-p/6270-6269-6271.htm
Will not fit GX160 UT2s (use +.080 or +.100 rods for these)


Replace stock springs with something that will Rev higher
Valve Springs
$8
22lb
http://www.nrracing.com/product-p/dcs-bp.htm

Replace stock camshaft with a performance cam
Mild Torque Camshaft
$38
NR230-0211
http://www.nrracing.com/product-p/200cam-230.htm


Remove Governor


Make Throttle Linkage




But who wants to throw $200 at a 10 year old engine????

 

[OzFab]

Personally, I'd start with this with the stock gx160 valves...

Also use a high flow air filter & exhaust & rejet carb to suit, remove governor &... well, that's about it...

 

[tgus3]

Thanks Ill probaly do some of those thimgs. What does the exhaust upgrade help with?

 

[itsid]

first: it'S a 5.5hp gx160...
that conrod is taking three times the abuse of a chinese predator con rod EASILY!
(the newer 4hp gx160 rods are to be weaker I heard.. IDK, still they're of higher quality than the predator stock rods for sure)

the gx160 used is still more expensive than a fresh in box predator for good reason

Anyways, now, There's a lot you can add to a gx160 to get some extra horses,
and frankly, I'd say it'd seen some wok hours,
a good overhaul alone will bring back a horse or two.

so that's exactly where I'd start.
install a bigger carb and a lot better flowing exhaust and remove the governor while being at it.
And then you should have around 7horses already.
(maybe 50 bucks spent)

THEN I would decide if that's enough power or not..
and if not, conrod, mild cam and valve springs, to push the rpms a bit.
(maybe with a 4°-6° key)

still not?
billet flywheel (8° inbuild timing advance - back to stock key!)
mild porting of the head and milling the deck for just a hair more compression.

'sid

 

[tgus3]

How do you remove the govenor? And would that exhaust that bob58o suggested be fine?

 

[bob58o]

Thanks Ill probaly do some of those thimgs. What does the exhaust upgrade help with?

To make power, you need to burn fuel. To burn fuel you need air. The free flowing exhaust allows your engine, which is an air pump, to pump more air ... Which allows you to burn more fuel...Which allows you to make more power.

---------- Post added at 10:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:37 AM ----------

How do you remove the govenor?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6tUssrcK1I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mThyKkGxFlo

---------- Post added at 10:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:39 AM ----------

And would that exhaust that bob58o suggested be fine?

You caught me. My favorite game is suggest the wrong exhaust pipe.

 

[tgus3]

Thanks!

 

[tgus3]

Another question...I was handtapping out the shaft on my engine to fit the torque converter bolt .....and the tap broke off in shaft.How do I get it out?

 

[anickode]

Another question...I was handtapping out the shaft on my engine to fit the torque converter bolt .....and the tap broke off in shaft.How do I get it out?

Not easily, that's for sure.

For broken taps, I have found it works to use a small punch and a hammer and just break the tap into bits and fish them out with tweezers.

Taps are too hard to drill out.

If you know someone with a Tig welder, they might be able to get in there and heat the tap repeatedly which will shrink it a miniscule amount to where it might turn out with a very point needle nose. Or it could wind up welding it in place.

Then there's EDM, which is about the only surefire way to do it without making things worse.

 

[tgus3]

What about a soldering iron?

 

[anickode]

What about a soldering iron?

What about it?