Trouble with upgrades

[killawatt]

I just bought one of the honda clones from harbor frieght its nice but i would like more power. I bought a torque converter for it and it helped alot but i was wondering if anyone had suggestions for mufflers, spark plugs, carburater u know whatever will get more power and i am on a bit of a budget so nothing thats going to cost a lot of money thanks for any help

 

[Stumbo]

Easiest and best bang for the buck would be:

• Remove governor (FREE) (LINK)
• Aftermarket Header
• Quality high-flow air filter
• Advance Timing 6 degrees
• Flattop Piston
• Rejet Carb

All of the above can be done for about 100-150 dollars, and will give your motor a good jump in power without sacrificing reliability, and without spending big bucks. Unless I was racing in a class that required a 6.5hp clone motor, I would not go any further than this.

From there, power gets a LITTLE bit more expensive, because you will probably want to upgrade your flywheel, buy a new carb, swap out the rod for a billet piece, ect. You have to ask yourself if it is worth it to dump a bunch of money into the motor, or just jump on EBAY and spend 300 dollars on a 13hp Electric start Honda clone. If you do the above said mods to the 13hp motor, you would probably be close to 16 or 17hp.

Here are a couple of good vendors to work with:

Affordable Gokarts

NR Racing

Spend some time on these sites and look at what they have, you will learn a lot.

 

[killawatt]

thanks do you have any recommendations on an aftermarket header or a spark plug?

 

[Russ2251]

No spark plug (including E-3 and Splitfire) increases power. Some engine modifications will require a colder plug to prevent pre-ignition.

 

[ed1380]

what they said but for the price of a TC, clone, and upgrades i'd look for a motorcycle engine. they usually have a 4 or 5 sp tranny, and are more suited for speed

cause you know
$100- clone
$100-150- mods
$50+ - TC

thats around $300 there. i saw a 250cc 5sp klr engine go for $315 on ebay last week. electronics and all, ready to run

 

[killawatt]

really? thats not a bad deal but i already have the motor and a torque converter for it and its just i go as i get the money so i mean getting the engine at a hundred and then just buying an upgrade here in there is the best for me and my budget thanks for the idea though ed

 

[killawatt]

do the plugs really not effect any thing? seems like it would im no small engine expert but i know in my truck i put performance plugs and it made a noticable diffrence why wouldnt it in a honda cllone

 

[ed1380]

you could put some NGK's but even if it does 10% better performace its just 1 cylinder

 

[killawatt]

yea that makes sense where can i find NGK's for the best price

 

[Russ2251]

If a difference is noticed...it's probably because new plugs were needed to begin with.
I've done time trials with a 3hp Tecumseh using different plug manufacturers and styles. Five runs were made on each plug on an 1/8 mile straight coarse. Virtually no differences were detected.
Keep in mind also that if so called "performance" plugs really boosted power or improved emissions (especially), the folks at the EPA or C.A.R.B. would demand that they be used (not to mention the engine manufacturers themselves).
I think of them as a placebo.
Any possible gains are negated by their higher cost.
Would be better off increasing gap on existing plugs but then would risk a low speed miss as well as a shortened plug lifespan.

 

[killawatt]

so russ what do you recommend if i want the most bang for my buck?

 

[thgrahamjr]

Kit #1 is only $75 and comes with header, filter, jet, 18lbs springs which is a pretty good upgrade for the price and it will bolt right up with no modifications needed.
http://www.affordablegokarts.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=A&Category_Code=GGBPKK

 

[killawatt]

I do like that kit but im not crazy about that header i dont really like that style

 

[ed1380]

$75 for a 2ft pipe, air filter and some springs? no thank you.

you can make the header yourself. i found some springs on ebay for $14 shipped. and 4 cone air filters for under $40 shipped
much cheaper to buy seperately. you pay a premium just cause its a kit

 

[killawatt]

I dont really like the pipe style mufflers i like the racing go cart mufflers better like the ones that look like they came off a ninja bike and what are the springs for? i dont know much about small motors

 

[ed1380]

stronger springs mean itll rev higher. I dont know if i would trust a clone with no gov and upgraded springs. stock springs start floating at around 5k and that should be enough with standard rod and flywheel

 

[eronann]

Very good infomation giving by everyone. Is there a thread or link on how to remove the governor on the Briggs 5hp for better power?

 

[ed1380]

just unhook the linkage from the gov that goes to the carb. or you can take the block apart and take the plastic gear out

 

[Russ2251]

take the block apart and take the plastic gear out

This is a must. Disconnecting linkage is not enough. Governor gear, at some point, will disintegrate because of increased centrifugal forces that it was not designed to take.
Where do you think that stuff is gonna go?

 

[ironman]

Very good infomation giving by everyone. Is there a thread or link on how to remove the governor on the Briggs 5hp for better power?

her you go maybe this will help a little. on the governor removel
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1130&highlight=ironman