Best Mods for predator 212 cc
- Thread starter fastmanA
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Yes, it is safe enough. It is only when you mod the engine further that you might need to get a billet flywheel
OzFab
Well-known member
By carb intake do you mean air filter? If so, it's highly recommended, especially if used in conjunction with a straight exhaust &, maybe, a slightly larger main jet.
All of the above should give you a significant power increase...
All of the above should give you a significant power increase...
danssoslow
Member
If you are shying away from a flywheel replacement due to the price, PVL (the company that makes the flywheels for Briggs Animals and World Formulas) is now making flywheels for the clones; and they realtail for around $65.
danssoslow
Member
I noticed that the other day; sorry about that. If you aren't ready for a new flywheel just yet, wait it out. I'd have to believe that they will make one for the Predator, the market is there. Everybody and their momma owns a Pedator nowadays.
I highly doubt that!
if it's the same PVL we are talking about (www.pvl.de)
PVL is a german manufacturer of ignition systems, and they do make flywheels for GX (and clones) yes
but the predator isn't available in germany at all.
So, if it comes to making custom parts for an engine that isn't available in germany, I don't think they even care.
'sid
OzFab
Well-known member
But you do have honda clones, correct? A Predator is a honda clone &, AFAIK, they're all the same...
We do (I myself have two
)And yes.. the predator is basically a clone, I know;
but some parts are different enough to not fit a predator if made for a GX or clone. like the flywheel for example
'sid
danssoslow
Member
The first gen Predator had a different taper to their yoke. There were quite a few internal parts that weren't compatible either.
The newer gen Predator will now accept traditional clone internals that the first gen would not; bug I'm not certain about ghe flywheel. If the OP says NR Racing says no, I'd have to believe that, as most of the retailers have been very up to date on what parts fit with what. Good on them to prevent that pot from being stirred!
I don't know Sid, this global economy hasn't missed anyone. If there's meat to be cut off that bone, I'm sure Germany will reach across any table to take a slice.
When I first picked up this frame (in 2010, **** I've had this much longer ghan I thought!!!), clones were clones; not Greyhound, jiang dong, etc. But comming back into this, everybody mentions Predator by name. Eveyone has one on their mini bike. They even got their own subforum on Bob's!
Now, I'm to understand that the Predator brand has been around for at least two years. That's plenty of time for this info to reach PVL. If a small operation like ARC can see fit to find it worth their time to mill a flywheel for the Predator, PVL should have plenty of reason to hop aboard.
Shoot, you should contact them and ask! You might get some credit for opening their eyes!!
-"Have you seen the new SIDitious flywheel for the Preds?"
-"No! Tell me more!!!"
LOL
well PVL doesn't seem to be a big company either (judging by their website that looks to be made somewhere around 1986.. [yeah I know no net that date]) and my best guess is that just one said: "hey.. I have a gx on my kart.. we have the tools.. let's go!"
I could be wrong though..
But you're right, I could ask indeed
'sid
well PVL doesn't seem to be a big company either (judging by their website that looks to be made somewhere around 1986.. [yeah I know no net that date]) and my best guess is that just one said: "hey.. I have a gx on my kart.. we have the tools.. let's go!"
I could be wrong though..
But you're right, I could ask indeed
'sid
danssoslow
Member
Heck yes!!!
They may be small; but they produce a bunch. All of the Animals and their many derivatives (for amount, not that there are differences) and the World Formula engines. Now the clones. They could throw another line in there!
The inSIDious!
"Your competition will long behind before they knew what hit 'em!!!"
We've got time to work on that.
They may be small; but they produce a bunch. All of the Animals and their many derivatives (for amount, not that there are differences) and the World Formula engines. Now the clones. They could throw another line in there!
The inSIDious!
"Your competition will long behind before they knew what hit 'em!!!"
We've got time to work on that.
OzFab
Well-known member
...apart from the fact that the Predator range is specific to the US market; other clones for different markets may come from the same factory with the same specs but, without a lot of research, who's to know?
For that reason, & the fact that another company already produces them & can more than likely sell them at a lower price than what a German company can (once you consider shipping, import taxes, etc), where's the incentive for PVL?
danssoslow
Member
PVL sells the clones flywheels at 60% the going rate of a billet flywheel; I don't see why this would be any different for a Predator model. Build a cheaper solution, and people will take to it like fat kids to cake. China has built an empire on that model.
As far as I can tell, the PVL flywheels are still a cast design, formed around a machined steel center; that has to be cheaper to manufacture than a CNC'd billet flywheel, plus faster to boot.
I'm obviously talking out my whohaw, I'm not versed on manufacturing; but the Predators are big buisness here (and like you said, more than likely in other places as well).
The road to finding out about the manufacturer has to be a short one; builders have already found a way to source hemi heads alone. It's probably as easy as doing a search on Alibaba. But I have no horse in this race, my Subie love runs deep, like Mopar fanatic deep.
As far as I can tell, the PVL flywheels are still a cast design, formed around a machined steel center; that has to be cheaper to manufacture than a CNC'd billet flywheel, plus faster to boot.
I'm obviously talking out my whohaw, I'm not versed on manufacturing; but the Predators are big buisness here (and like you said, more than likely in other places as well).
The road to finding out about the manufacturer has to be a short one; builders have already found a way to source hemi heads alone. It's probably as easy as doing a search on Alibaba. But I have no horse in this race, my Subie love runs deep, like Mopar fanatic deep.
OzFab
Well-known member
Ok, fair point but, Chinese engineering so far only copies others &, due to low wages, they can afford to make something at a fraction of the price; German engineering is a tad different...
As far as the difference between
as your definition describes, it's two separate pieces...
is machined from a single piece of aluminium.
Add to that the thought that cast iron is susceptable to casting flaws, that translates to weak spots.
For strength & durability, billet is always better
As far as the difference between
&
is
as your definition describes, it's two separate pieces...
is machined from a single piece of aluminium.
Add to that the thought that cast iron is susceptable to casting flaws, that translates to weak spots.
For strength & durability, billet is always better
danssoslow
Member
I'll give you that; but it appears the law of diminishing returns applies here. PVL tests their clone flywheels out to 17K rpm, and is guaranteed to 10K rpm. Granted, it's a heavier flywheel and isn't as pretty; but it's every bit as safe within the means of these engines.
OzFab
Well-known member
Why thank you
That's good to know, that's a good guarantee for a flywheel but, there's two main reasons why people use billet flywheels & neither of them is about looks:
1. The safety factor: A billet flywheel is less likely to shatter than a cast one (which is, obviously, negated by PVLs guarantee)
2. An aluminium flywheel is lighter, making it easier for the engine to spin, improving performance...
That's good to know, that's a good guarantee for a flywheel but, there's two main reasons why people use billet flywheels & neither of them is about looks:
1. The safety factor: A billet flywheel is less likely to shatter than a cast one (which is, obviously, negated by PVLs guarantee)
2. An aluminium flywheel is lighter, making it easier for the engine to spin, improving performance...
While a lighter flywheel makes it easier for the engine to rev up,
a heavier flywheel makes it easier to maintain the rotation speed.
That helps with the high end torque, since the engine not only produces torque in the combustion cycle, but provides torque with the rotating mass too.
So there are applications where you want a heavy flywheel I think
'sid
danssoslow
Member
There's no denying there's a benefit to faster revving; but we could argue there's some benifit to the higher inertia contained in a heavier flywheel. This is probably a bigger benifit to us, or any racer that would be constantly on/off the throttle.
It's my belief that the weight of the flywheel is more of a selling point than anything. It dominates on paper; but who's drag racing these things?
Sid is a faster typer than me.
It's my belief that the weight of the flywheel is more of a selling point than anything. It dominates on paper; but who's drag racing these things?
Sid is a faster typer than me.
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