Good engine for tight budget?

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91mustang

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I was looking at the 6hp tecumseh engines...are they any good? can someone give an estimate of how fast it would go? what are other good engines that are fairly cheap?
 

Kaptain Krunch

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I have a 5.5hp Tecumseh powersport on my kart. Speed depends on gearing, but i get about 25mph easy, and i feel like i could get 35 if i really wanted to. As for the engine itself, im not very impressed with it, but i know people who have had great results with Tecs.

Have you considered a sled or motorcycle engine? you can often find them very cheap on craigslist.
 

Pellethuntr2

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If you can get a brigs over the tesumseh I would...brigs are known to be more reliable and not as finickey
 

EagleTalons

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Here is my choice of engines that are new.

Harbor Freight Blue Clone
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66015
$139.99
6.5HP

Robin Subaru
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90655

$239.99
6.0HP
4000 RPM Box Stock
OHC for really smooth operation.

Surplus Worldaire Clone
https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2009071718515155&item=28-1678&catname=engines

$179.99
13HP

If you can ever find a sled engine or a MC engine for a reasonable price, I'd jump on it, but you need a strong chassis and good brakes. All that needs to be upgraded. A commonly overlooked factor.

I've never played with a 6hp tec, so I'm not sure if they are good.

Old flathead 5hp briggs are decent engines. Many "free" mods can be done on them. They are also usually cheap.
 

87srvsnow

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i have a 6hp Tecumseh and with a 12 tooth clutch and a 60 tooth axle sprocket it does probably close to 40. but that is with a straight pipe and i took the governor off.
 

91mustang

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so out of the 3 engines listed above by EagleTalons and the honda 'clone', which do you guys prefer???
 

Tommy Boy

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Personally, the 6.5 clone.

And that's only because I've scvenged **** near every salvage yard and craigslist listing in Tulsa and have found squat for motorcycle engines. I don't know if they're always being snatched up or shipped out at auction or what, but literally there are none to be had for me.

So yeah, the 6.5 strictly because of price, reliability, and ease of maintenance.
 

tykenfitz

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Has anyone used that 13hp clone for $180? Looks like a good choice for a quick street kart I'm dreaming out.
 

mcbride68camaro

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another vote for the Harbor freight motor. i have the 6.5 on the cart I am building for my brother in law, and on log splitter. 1 pull start everytime. My father use to be a honda dealer and we have a ton of honda engines. They are very much honda clones.
 

wannakart

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Never had any luck with the Chinese Honda clone 6.5's, they are very cheap and fun UNTIL THEY BREAK DOWN. I purchased a couple of them new, put one on a yard kart and it lasted almost 2 months before it just quit. The other "knock off" I gave to a relative to put on a log splitter and worked fine untill it quit on him after a month. I Also bought a 13hp Honda clone but took it back and got a refund because I could never even get it to start. It was getting fuel, checked for spark, tried a new plug, not even starter fluid could bring it to life.
I have had numerous Tecumseh engines (6 and 6.5hp) on go karts, a bar stool racer and mini choppers and have never had ANY troubles year after year. Some people on the other hand swear by Briggs, The only ones I've ever had were used and one came on the first go kart I ever owned it was either a 2 1/2 or 3 1/2hp, was very old, tired and worn and I replaced it with a Tecumseh 6.5 which was years ago and is still on there today. The other Briggs was an Animal gas engine that is on a home made mini chopper which ran great except for the tillotson carb would get pretty finicky from time to time. The Briggs Animals are not cheap though.
For me, time does tell and has spoken loudly!
"You usually get what you pay for".
 
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