engine selection

[no whereman]

I am looking for feedback on engines.I have come to understand that this can be an emotionally charged issue.please try to limit responses to engines that you have experience with. many folks have strong opinions on subjects that they have no direct experience with.So what do yall think about the overall durability of clones/cheaper VS some of the well known brands.keep in mind that in these days of outsourcing a lot of the traditional brands are made in asia.(cough cough )some briggs come to mind.thanks wall mart for starting a trend.

 

[landuse]

The Predator 212cc engine from Harbour Freight is a good and cheap engine. It is favoured by many people on the forum.

 

[firemanjim]

best bang for your buck. Can't go wrong buying a 212, unless you get that "one dud" engine, made on a payday Friday,AFTER lunch.....

 

[dwcopple]

I doubt the people that assemble these engines even get to take a lunch. They are made in communist China aren't they?

 

[firemanjim]

I doubt the people that assemble these engines even get to take a lunch. They are made in communist China aren't they?

It's a joke we have around here, when a tool gets rejected by our QC prior to shipment.... If you worked here, you'd know,and laugh your @$$ off.....

 

[jogfrogjog]

I have a 5 hp B&S that's stock and not really impressed by it. I have spare that I'm planning to build up I the future and have a 18hp kohler that I'm putting in another project, I'll let you know when I get it running the difference between the two if I remember.


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[Poboy kartman]

I have a 5 hp B&S that's stock and not really impressed by it. I have spare that I'm planning to build up I the future and have a 18hp kohler that I'm putting in another project, I'll let you know when I get it running the difference between the two if I remember.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The difference is 13hp.......!!!!!!

BTW: Please fill out your profile so we know where you are from. ......

 

[MancoGX390]

I recommend a genuine GX390 with the AGK Bolt-On kit 1 just to wake it up a little, even though its expensive its one beast of a engine! Or you can get a GX390 clone cheaper but i decided to go genuine!

 

[Axx3d]

I guess it really depends on the application you intend to use it for..

Personally I bought 2 - 301cc Predators from HF 2 weeks ago. They both went through the break in cycle then have been used daily. They have been solid engines but it has only been 2 weeks, longevity is what I tend to judge engines on..

 

[dwcopple]

what are the 309cc engines?^^^

 

[KartFab]

Engines I have experience with:

Subaru: quiet, reliable, rip off replacement parts.
Honda: well designed, reliable, bulletproof, expensive replacement parts but some aftermarket clone parts fit it and are very inexpensive
Briggs: reliable, prevalent, cheap parts
Honda clones(predator, greyhound, JF): reliable enough, problems w/rubber parts deteriorating/cracking quickly, super cheap, crappy air filters, best bang for your buck.

I own right now
1 briggs flathead, 5 hp
2 honda GX390, 13 hp
2 clones, 6.5 hp
2 subaru engines, 5 hp, 6 hp
3 honda gx 620, 20 hp

All of these engines I bought used that had been left out/neglected. I have been able to get all of them to run w/no serious problems (except for the gx620s, which I have shelved for next year).

 

[Axx3d]

what are the 309cc engines?^^^

There the 301cc mistyped/misremembered in the a.m. pre coffee

Fixed it..

 

[Moedog07]

Honda Clones (Predator Engines) best money spent (IMO). I have my Briggs sitting on a shelf and have outfitted my fleet of 5 mini bikes and 3 Gokarts with clones.

 

[OzFab]

Not to dis the Predator but, there's something to be said for longevity, they may be great "out of the box" but, how long will they last in comparison?

Most of you have seen the two main engines I have, my GX160 & my daughters 3hp B&S; both are well over 20 years old (the 3hp B&S is a '77 model), the internals have never been touched & they still run like new...

 

[firemanjim]

I've been beating on this 212 predator for almost 4 years now, with no tlc. (wow! Time to change the oil.... Ya think?) I have had to do nothing to it,except feed it fuel..... I love it. Gonna buy 2 more in September, for my birthday present to myself.....

 

[OzFab]

Let me know when it turns 20

 

[firemanjim]

If this thing makes 10 years I'd happier than a.... can't print that.... Too many little eyes reading.....
I'd say, for the $120 I spent on it, and the hours and hours and hours of fun we have had with it..... Well, I already got my money's worth. I spend $150 taking the kids to chucky cheese..... And that drives me nuts, it's loud and annoying,and only last a couple hours.... The 212, fill up the tank, and they are out of your hair for 3 or 4 hours, then fill it up and send them off again.....

 

[MancoGX390]

I've heard a lot of good reviews on these predator engines and they seem very good, if I ever need a new engine in the future I will be defiantly considering trying one out!

 

[Moedog07]

I have used the old and the Hemi styles. Both are good. I plan to pick up another Hemi Predator. It seems stronger than the standard Predator in stock form.

 

[firemanjim]

Where do "I" find one of the hemi head 212's?