Cheap & Powerful Clone

[ZnsaneRyder]

This topic is about what it takes to have a very powerful Honda Clone engine without spending a lot of money, or doing major engine work. These engines are less than $200, so why dump more money into the engine than it's worth?

Just a few internal or external parts upgrades to get high HP & high RPM, without going all wild and complicated, and without needing to make major expensive changes, that won't require a machine shop to do. Something the average Go-Kart builder can do to have a really bad to the bone clone!

This applies to ALL uses of this engine family, karting, biking, or whatever.

*My goal is to get a top speed of 60-65 Mph or more on my bicycle, and get the most bang for the buck.

What would you recommend for the cheap upgrades?

Ideas:

Disable RPM Governor
18# Valve springs to allow 6000 RPM or more.
Better airfilter and/or intake manifold
High Flowing exhaust
Cam with .265 lift from AGK

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

If your going to disable governor you need to get a billet flywheel for safety reasons.

 

[Ibnzmonkey]

If your going to disable governor you need to get a billet flywheel for safety reasons.

yes, even though nobody has ever documented an exploding clone flywheel with the gov removed. Still though, id get a flywheel just in case, don't want to be the first.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

I would reccomend billet on a clone with just the gov removed, with stiffer valve springs THERE IS NO OPTION.

 

[ZnsaneRyder]

I've been running a regular flywheel already, and much over 3600 RPM, and up to 5200 RPM, and my trailer & engine is way behind me, so even if it blew up completely, I'd still be safe.

I'm willing to take the risk with the flywheel.

Besides the flywheel, would the 18# valve springs and cams with stock rods & piston get over 6000 RPM?

 

[BradenM]

There was a link that Russ posted somewhere, about flywheel explosions. Once they let go, they can hurl themselves pretty far. In one case, it got flung over a block away. The way that clones rotate would mean IF your flywheel let go, Znsane, it has a reasonable probability of rendering you a paraplegic or worse. Thats a big IF though. Even IF a clone flywheel lets go, heaps of people will be "I told you so!" where as it's not a scientifically proven fact-just because 1 clone in a million blows up, doesn't mean a million clone flywheels are bad.

That being said, Billet is safer, no point arguing otherwise. The evidence suggests are that Clone flywheels are not dodgy; anything else is merely opinion.

Of course, all of that is merely my opinion and I hope nobody thinks less of me for it.

Znsane, It's doubtful the stock rod will hold over 6k rpm, and perhaps (as far as bang for your buck) re-jetting the stock carb to compensate for high flow exhaust and high flow air filter? That way is cheap and you will take advantage of what you already have.

Braden.

 

[oscaryu1]

I've been running a regular flywheel already, and much over 3600 RPM, and up to 5200 RPM, and my trailer & engine is way behind me, so even if it blew up completely, I'd still be safe.

I'm willing to take the risk with the flywheel.

Besides the flywheel, would the 18# valve springs and cams with stock rods & piston get over 6000 RPM?

it aint my week after changing a smashed cam i decided to go back to a heavey flywheel Well i did sumtin wrong!!!!! it was running good and i reved it up.... with my hand on the throttle.........****IN BOOOOOM!!! the flywheel shroud saved my life... it went from a bowl to a flat dish, the explosion hit my hand and i thought i lost my thumb. the flywheel went thru the seat shield, a piece cut a 10 ft steel sealing, tore half the block, off bent and cracked my new NR carb (thats junk) but the lord saved my *** i didnt get hit.... parts were 30ft out in my driveway..... i got away with 2 stitches and dirty shorts. BE CAREFULL messin with these things it aint funny ....saftey first then go fast
tony

...

 

[BradenM]

With or without a load? Link please?

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

With or without a load? Link please?

It should handle it either way.

 

[Russell ATV]

I posted a good link to a subject called the triple double. This guy modied and took dyno data after each upgrade. You can do a lot without spending a fortune, but as some point, you are spending too much for too little gain.

As for the Flywheel, yes, they have expoded, but most were from either a damaged flywheel, or RPMs above 7K. Most Clones that live with mods that peak around 6K, you are are good shape with the standard flywheel. Now, the best gains are HP gains around 5K. Exhaust, Intake, jetting, porting, will get you 80% of the power cheaply. If you want that final 20%, then get the flywheel, increase compression (good luck), and spin it like crazy.

Russ Barrow
Russell ATV

 

[Ibnzmonkey]

Exhaust, Intake, jetting, porting, will get you 80% of the power cheaply. If you want that final 20%, then get the flywheel, increase compression (good luck), and spin it like crazy.

Russ Barrow
Russell ATV

Thats a good point.

 

[ZnsaneRyder]

I posted a good link to a subject called the triple double. This guy modied and took dyno data after each upgrade. You can do a lot without spending a fortune, but as some point, you are spending too much for too little gain.

As for the Flywheel, yes, they have expoded, but most were from either a damaged flywheel, or RPMs above 7K. Most Clones that live with mods that peak around 6K, you are are good shape with the standard flywheel. Now, the best gains are HP gains around 5K. Exhaust, Intake, jetting, porting, will get you 80% of the power cheaply. If you want that final 20%, then get the flywheel, increase compression (good luck), and spin it like crazy.

Russ Barrow
Russell ATV

Thanks for clearing it up!!! Getting the flywheel would make the point of "cheap and powerful clone" go in vain.

As you mention:

Exhaust, Intake, jetting, porting, will get you 80% of the power cheaply

that's what we're needing to know. Thanks for the helpful post with the facts to back it up.