r97
Measure twice cut once
Hello,
As I have been working with go karts, mini-bikes, and anything else that uses these small engines I have been looking for the best engines. Within one year of working with these engines the Robin Subaru brand of engines stood out as the absolute best choice for an engine, specifically their EX line of engines. The high levels of thought and care that are put into these engines is amazing. PLEASE take a careful look at the Robin America website, and you can see some of the features and benefits of these remarkable little engines.
The EX engines have an advanced chain-driven SOHC (Single Over Head Cam). The SOHC design allows for higher preforming engines compared to OHV or L-head engines. Beyond the EX line, these engines will (as far as I have seen) have dual ball bearings on the crankshaft, and cast iron cylinder liners. Take a look through the robin america website to see examples of their technology. My favorite example is the 7hp EFI engine which is a spin-off of their EX21 engine. To back-up these claims in performance Robin Subaru recently introduced their 5 year warranty to step up from the previous 3 year warranty.
Now having that warranty is great, but it is pointless without good customer service. In the unlikely event that your engine breaks Robin Subaru is excellent to deal with. I have dealt with them before and they were very helpful, they promptly provided me with any information I requested. On top of all that, Robin Subaru provides all kinds of literature available for free download. Owners, parts, and detailed service manuals for newer engines, and older engines are available. Along with those manuals Subaru has engine output charts, and dimensional diagrams posted on their website.
These engines sound great right? Maybe even better than the legendary Honda GX engines (I would say so). Of course, logically that would put them at a price above the Honda GX engines. Subaru comes out ahead once again, their EX engines are generally priced lower than the less advanced (but still solid) Honda GX engines. The 9hp EX27 for $275 shipped, and the 6hp EX17 engine for $225 shipped. Unfortunately, the EX21 engine (the best suited to be modified and raced against GX200 engines) is still expensive at the moment. New links will be added as I find them,
EX21 engine, ebay
Robin engines from go karts usa
Subaru trophy karts & engines
Robin engines at small engine warehouse
Subaru distributor map
More Subaru engines
25hp Subaru
An assortment of Subies on ebay
Unfortunately, as great as these engines are there are some downfalls. Since these are more advanced, and not quite as common engines, your local lawn mower shop may not carry parts. Do not worry though, with the use of the internet you can get almost any part you need in just a few days. The only other downfall is the apparent lack of performance parts. Although major internal performance parts are lacking (cams, rods, and flywheels) there are still some around. ARC sells an aluminum flywheel for the EX21 engines, and various other companies sell parts for the EX27. Robin Subaru has also introduced its KX21 engine, which is made specifically for go karts. On top of all that you can always add a high flow filter, header, re-jet, and governor delete at home without much trouble. Most of these engines are built tough enough that the stock con-rod is rarely upgraded, even in extreme race conditions. Add that the general consensus is that the power of these engines is underrated from the factory and you have a decent amount of ponies. Manco go karts will actually take an EX27 engine (factory rated at 9hp) and slap a 10hp sticker on it. An excellent bit of information about using and modifying these engines in go karts can be found here. New links will be added below as I find them,
Performance pipes
Some of you may be wondering why I'm posting this. All that I'm doing is trying to get these engines out into the market more. As you may have guessed I strongly believe these engines are a great option that many people aren't even aware of. I don't work for Robin Subaru or anything like that, I'm just a happy customer. Yes these engines are more expensive than clones, but look at all the amazing things Subaru has crammed into these engines. I'm not at all trying to say other engines are crap. If you want a clone, buy one! If you want to use that old Tec or Briggs you have in the barn, use it! All I'm trying to do is get people to explore these engines as an option for a reliable, powerful, and relatively inexpensive power source for their next project.
Thank you all for your help on the forum, I wouldn't be where I am if this place wasn't here. I hope this smidgen of information can help someone else at some point. Please feel free to comment, voice your opinion, and fix any spelling/grammar mistakes (of which I'm sure there are many...). Thanks again, and happy karting!
-Rory
As I have been working with go karts, mini-bikes, and anything else that uses these small engines I have been looking for the best engines. Within one year of working with these engines the Robin Subaru brand of engines stood out as the absolute best choice for an engine, specifically their EX line of engines. The high levels of thought and care that are put into these engines is amazing. PLEASE take a careful look at the Robin America website, and you can see some of the features and benefits of these remarkable little engines.
The EX engines have an advanced chain-driven SOHC (Single Over Head Cam). The SOHC design allows for higher preforming engines compared to OHV or L-head engines. Beyond the EX line, these engines will (as far as I have seen) have dual ball bearings on the crankshaft, and cast iron cylinder liners. Take a look through the robin america website to see examples of their technology. My favorite example is the 7hp EFI engine which is a spin-off of their EX21 engine. To back-up these claims in performance Robin Subaru recently introduced their 5 year warranty to step up from the previous 3 year warranty.
Now having that warranty is great, but it is pointless without good customer service. In the unlikely event that your engine breaks Robin Subaru is excellent to deal with. I have dealt with them before and they were very helpful, they promptly provided me with any information I requested. On top of all that, Robin Subaru provides all kinds of literature available for free download. Owners, parts, and detailed service manuals for newer engines, and older engines are available. Along with those manuals Subaru has engine output charts, and dimensional diagrams posted on their website.
These engines sound great right? Maybe even better than the legendary Honda GX engines (I would say so). Of course, logically that would put them at a price above the Honda GX engines. Subaru comes out ahead once again, their EX engines are generally priced lower than the less advanced (but still solid) Honda GX engines. The 9hp EX27 for $275 shipped, and the 6hp EX17 engine for $225 shipped. Unfortunately, the EX21 engine (the best suited to be modified and raced against GX200 engines) is still expensive at the moment. New links will be added as I find them,
EX21 engine, ebay
Robin engines from go karts usa
Subaru trophy karts & engines
Robin engines at small engine warehouse
Subaru distributor map
More Subaru engines
25hp Subaru
An assortment of Subies on ebay
Unfortunately, as great as these engines are there are some downfalls. Since these are more advanced, and not quite as common engines, your local lawn mower shop may not carry parts. Do not worry though, with the use of the internet you can get almost any part you need in just a few days. The only other downfall is the apparent lack of performance parts. Although major internal performance parts are lacking (cams, rods, and flywheels) there are still some around. ARC sells an aluminum flywheel for the EX21 engines, and various other companies sell parts for the EX27. Robin Subaru has also introduced its KX21 engine, which is made specifically for go karts. On top of all that you can always add a high flow filter, header, re-jet, and governor delete at home without much trouble. Most of these engines are built tough enough that the stock con-rod is rarely upgraded, even in extreme race conditions. Add that the general consensus is that the power of these engines is underrated from the factory and you have a decent amount of ponies. Manco go karts will actually take an EX27 engine (factory rated at 9hp) and slap a 10hp sticker on it. An excellent bit of information about using and modifying these engines in go karts can be found here. New links will be added below as I find them,
Performance pipes
Some of you may be wondering why I'm posting this. All that I'm doing is trying to get these engines out into the market more. As you may have guessed I strongly believe these engines are a great option that many people aren't even aware of. I don't work for Robin Subaru or anything like that, I'm just a happy customer. Yes these engines are more expensive than clones, but look at all the amazing things Subaru has crammed into these engines. I'm not at all trying to say other engines are crap. If you want a clone, buy one! If you want to use that old Tec or Briggs you have in the barn, use it! All I'm trying to do is get people to explore these engines as an option for a reliable, powerful, and relatively inexpensive power source for their next project.
Thank you all for your help on the forum, I wouldn't be where I am if this place wasn't here. I hope this smidgen of information can help someone else at some point. Please feel free to comment, voice your opinion, and fix any spelling/grammar mistakes (of which I'm sure there are many...). Thanks again, and happy karting!
-Rory
