Predator 212cc hopped up, or stock Predator 346cc with warranty?

[tomdowns]

I've got some plans in the works to get a off-road kart with lots of power (10-15hp) and I have became stumped by a recent realization. I have seen that many people go with Honda clone Predator engines from Harbor Freight. Having bought a clone 7 years back for an older project (when they were blue) I am definitely going to use one of these engines. I see that if you get a 212cc and hop it up with a kit you amount to a ~10hp engine for $188 and a voided warranty.
On the other hand you can get a 346cc Predator with no kit and a good warranty for $300. Only problem with this is that the driveshaft is 1", and most karts I'm interested in getting have 6.5hp engines with 3/4" shafts.
A warranty sounds awful nice, but I can't decide if the cost is worth it. I understand many people use the 212cc and hop it up to stay within displacement requirements.
I guess my question is:
Is it worth it to throw down extra (my budget allows for it) for a stock engine with my power requirement (346cc 11hp) and have that warranty, or save some cash and get the 212cc and put work into making it more powerful?

 

[dnuccio]

im planning to build a 212cc for my off road kart. remember that with the 1 inch shaft on the bigger engines, you will pay more for a clutch, alot more for a torque converter if you want to go that route.

 

[tomdowns]

I plan to purchase a kart with a tc. My question is is the warranty worth it?

 

[modestmouse]

i would go without the warranty

 

[OzFab]

A third option is to search for a fairly new used engine

 

[Hootie]

When I bought my Predator Engine a few weeks ago, the warranty was $35. I only gave 95 plus tax for it and it already has a 90 day warranty.

 

[fowler]

If be looking for a second hand Honda
As Fabroman said

Or get the warranty

For off road u want torque
And remember "there's no replacement for displacement"

Also once u jump up the power of the 6.5 u may have too much power for a 3/4 clutch anyway

 

[tundrabeagle3]

Yea I would go for the 420 cc predator used

 

[tomdowns]

I think I'll go with the larger engine and a warranty. Sounds like a safer bet to me. Although I have heard that these engines tend to not break.

I was looking around for new drive clutches. The kart I'm getting has a torque converter and a 150cc engine. Smells like I'll have to get a drive clutch to fit the 1" driveshaft on the larger engines. Best price I found was $150, then I'd probably have to get a new belt to handle the torque. So I'll be paying $475 for a 11hp compared to paying $200 for a 212cc hopped up. Now I'm really torn...

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Beofre you spend any money on a new CVT drive unit-

Be absolutely sure that it will be compatible with the existing driven unit. You cannot cross-match these things. Positively ID the driven unit, and then purchase the matching drive unit.