Coming soon: Real comparo

slonomo

VTWIN VS. CLONE

Finally! Some real data to give an accurate comparison to settle the debate. I'll give a rundown of the experiment, but I need your help! So chime in with your thoughts....

OBJECTIVE:

I need suggestions on what to test. I don't really have any special equipment, other than a good video camera, a small trailer, 3 acres of open yard, a country road, and a gps. So what do you all really want to know? Give me some ideas of what specifically do people want to know. We can even vote for some of them. I am trying to limit the final test number to about 5 parameters. I'm looking for real world type scenarios, so no steep hill climbing or mud running in this one. Things like: Acceleration, Trailer Pull, Top Speed....this kind of thing. I'm interested to see what you all come up with. I may decide to add a few categories too?

The Players:

Test Vehicle: 1984 G1, 23" Carlisle 489 tires, Modified Suspension, Vegas Carts GX440 w/cam, rod, and porting, Plowman's Secondary, G2 Rear End & 8" extended swingarm

Engine #1: Vegas Carts VC440, cam, rod, ported head, modified stock carb, open intake

Engine #2: Briggs Vanguard Vtwin 16hp, stock with governor, stock everything

Engine #3: Briggs Vanguard Vtwin 16hp, w/rev kit, no gov, 23hp cam, ported heads, intake/exhaust mods, upgraded carb?

Format:

The Vegas engine will be tested first. I won't test the stock version, mostly because I don't want to tear the engine down again. But my original argument was always that a mildly built VC440 might be able to compete with a stock Vanguard Vtwin. Keep in mind I said "Compete" not "Beat". I have always said that "It might be close". We'll see. I may have to retract that statement and eat crow! I will remove the 32mm carb because it just doesn't fit in the engine compartment.

Now this Vanguard is the 16hp variety, I know. But the 16 and 18 are the most commonly used platforms. So we'll start there. And....well....it's what I have LOL. The test will occur in similar temps and weather conditions to try to control the test and make it fair. For this reason, the modified Vtwin may have to wait until Spring. But I'm fairly confident I can get the first two stages completed before the snow flies. Hopefully before Thanksgiving 2014.

Let's brainstorm!

BGW

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jamisonc

i would think speed and pulling power should be first on the list. ease if install should be up there too.

Unforgiven

A Dino comes to mind, but everyone don't have access to one of those. Since I'm bad, bad backwoods engineer here are my thoughts.
(you gonna use same cart just swap motors between test?)

*conditions needs to be the same, if using a gps, clouds and cover may be an issue. Temperature really effects these motors.
*Dry haul speed test, mark off 100 yards, time and speed for each
*Hill climb, timed
*then hook a trailer behind each with say 400lbs in it, mark of 25 yards then time.
*then maybe hook a log behind each.

Field6565

Andy. Whats the deal with these other motors? Are you gonna put them in your G1 and compare or will they be in other carts? Should i bring my wifes stock G1 up to your place so we can get a moded over stock comparison well your at it?

slonomo

Sorry no hill climbs in this test. But I like all the other ideas.

Gary, I'm putting the Vtwin in the G1. Pretty satisfied with the clone but need to compare. Whichever engine doesn't make the cut will be installed into a G2 project I have planned.

Unforgiven

ok mud pit then

Field6565

Is the V-twin new/used? Should be interesting to see how well the clone performs. I know you've been wanting to do this comparison for quite some time.

slonomo

Mud pits are for 4x4 quads. Cant really compare engine performance in a mud pit anyway. Sucess in the mud comes down to ground clearance, tire size and choice, and rpm. This just wouldnt accomplish much......but man would it be fun!!!!

This vtwin is a good condition used engine, courtesy of Rich aka "nobuckbuild". Thanks Rich. The cost of this engine was comparable to a new VC440/460. It will be interesting to see what nearly the same money will do in the cart. One difference I won't be able to factor in is the differnces between the primary clutches. I ordered a comet 780 to use with the vtwin because I dont want to cut the crank down. The VC440 is currently running a 94c style clutch.

slonomo

Gary, once its all done I'll have to meet you somewhere and we can run our carts side by side. I will have a bone stock G1, a G2 likely with no lift and the VC 440, and the G1 hunting cart with the Vtwin. We can run all of them against each other in 100' drags and video each race.

gornoman

This factor alone renders the test unreliable.