Which engine should i use?

[modelengineer]

I had no idea. Good to know! Thx!

 

[jr dragster T]

Yep. Just look in my Avater. Then again it is a B&S blockzilla block but still...

 

[cartbum224]

How about this engine?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Purp...m14QQhashZitem330276909766QQitemZ330276909766

 

[Jerryburger]

You can make a fire-breathing monster making up to 30 HP from a briggs block.

Yeah.... if you have a big grove of money trees or no mortgage, car, or utility bills to pay! Money as well as physics have a way of keeping us humble.

Judging from the original posted requirements, a lightly modified Clone or a fresh B/S 5hp Fatty should provide plenty Whoops and Hollers.

 

[ryf]

first question, how much do you weigh? small engines that rev way up are great but the more you weigh the more torque you need. at the wheels torque comes from displacement and proper gearing. small racing slicks makes that easier though.

IMO, if money is an issue, spend the dough on the 11-13hp clone at HF, in reality for the money, you would have the power to get going and keep going no matter what you weigh, if budget is a concern that is.. there is no replacement for a nicely modded and tuned up light engine, if you are on a budget, go for displacement, it won't be the "same" but it will be sweet none the less. if you are trying to race in a class race, I'd throw out the budget and start right. JMHO. I weigh 350lbs, so a stock 5hp would be like a fart machine to me. my 17.5 hp pushes 850lbs of me and machine to 50+ with lots of power to spare (mines geared to trail ride off-road, so I'm geared for torque) the point here is, there is more than one way to get to speed, an 8hp briggs might even work on a budget. good luck!

 

[Jerryburger]

8hp briggs might even work on a budget. good luck!

You're right there. I have an 8hp that's too powerful for any of the current chassis I have, but is it FUN!

 

[cartbum224]

I only weigh around 110. And when you guys say, lightly modified engine, im not much of a gearhead, so i dont know how to do that kind of stuff.

 

[ryf]

at 110lbs, I wouldn't go over 8hp. you could make a nice light cart with a 5hp that will fly, or a heavier duty cart with 8hp thats the same. good luck!

 

[Jerryburger]

And when you guys say, lightly modified engine, im not much of a gearhead, so i dont know how to do that kind of stuff.

Oops! Sorry about that. Just like we all have differing opinions on all things, my definition of "lightly modified" involves a trip to the hardware store for the B/S 5hp motor. There's an article I copied and posted somewhere under the engines section about someone step-by-step modifying and testing a B/S 5hp engine.
They found that the biggest (and cheapest ) gain was modifying the exhaust and readjusting the carb mixture. The stock muffler can go away, and about a 14"- 16" pipes screws into the block in it's place. (Costs about $3). Then you readjust your carb mixture by a screw on the side for best performance. You WILL feel a difference, as even within the stock operating rpm, gains were there.
Now, if a straight pipe is too loud, you go get a B/S muffler for the 8hp engine. (It has more flow and a larger fitting) The muffler is about $9, and the pipe adapter (goes on the end of your straight pipe) costs about $2.50. The warning here is, that much weight sticking out of the exhaust port will eventually strip the threads in the port. Find a way to brace the end of the pipe so it isn't all held up by the part that screws into your engine. If you can't come up with a way to brace it, you can "split the difference" in performance by getting an plumbing adapter that goes from the motor's exhaust port size to the size of the 8hp muffler, and bypass the long pipe. I've tried this set-up, and it's better than stock, but not as good as with the long pipe in there.

On the 6.5hp Clones, there are (relatively) inexpensive kits available on Ebay, that include a header/muffler and replacement jets for the carb. (No clue as to what the actual hp gains are). When the dust settles around the other projects I have going, I'm going to purchase one of those kits and try it out on one of my Clones.
Going back to your original post in this thread and your weight, a HF 6.5hp Clone will have you scooting quickly!

 

[jr dragster T]

Lol my version of lightly modified is Header, Filter, Jets, Governer.

 

[cartbum224]

is removing the governor hard? If you do, cant it fry the engine? like i said, im not much of a gearhead/mechanic so im not sure.

 

[Russ2251]

is removing the governor hard?

Without a full understanding of what's going on, should be avoided.

cant it fry the engine?

Yes.

like i said, im not much of a gearhead/mechanic so im not sure.

Experience is best teacher. Reading helps.

 

[cartbum224]

Thanks Russ!

 

[oscaryu1]

if i were you just throw together a briggs racing engine
just get on ebay
get a good cam, ARC rod if you can (if not just get a little raptor rod), steanless valves, heavier springs, aluminum flywheel, a nice crank if you want and do some porting and maybe even get a milled head

Aluminum flywheel? Tryin' to kill him boy? :arf:

 

[Russ2251]

Aluminum flywheel? Tryin' to kill him boy? :arf:

Only if engine carries some heavy duty mods. Stock block will be fine.
I use them exclusively with never ever a problem.

 

[cartbum224]

So a regular 5hp b/s will be fine? Or are you talking about a racing engine?