Is 18hp Vanguard engine..

Bronco Barney

Are these any good for a swap? I found a used one and just wondered...

Vanguard 18HP Engine $649. Looks to be in very good shape..... Can it be hoped up?
Thanks

BGW

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smokindawg

Lots of threads about the 14, 16, and 18hp Vanguards. They are very good engines with a lot of aftermarket performance parts out there for them.

Lots here use them and they are good, dependable and can be made to run fantastic.

Do a search here on them and you'll find many that have them and are more than happy to talk about their experiences with them. But, I think that may be a bit high as far as price for a used one. I'd be more inclined to go with about $400 +/-for a used one. Look around more and you'll find one at a better price. But even after the cost of the engine, unless your good at budget builds and can do a lot of your own fabricating it can get into $$$ quickly.

Good luck and let's see what you come up with.

Bronco Barney

Thanks smokin... What is the difference of a clone motor and it that better to start with than the Vanguard? I have been reading the posts but tyhere is SO MUCH to read.....

jeff70

I picked up my 14 horse vanguard for $150, I had to have the crank machined but there are people on here that can help with that.
As for the clone or vanguard debate you will open a can of worms with that one, The clones are great upgrades over stock. Read some of the threads where people have had both and they will all say the vanguard wins hands down in brute grunt. A clone motor is a single cylinder where as the vanguard is a V twin, from reading your other posts you know your way around motors so the answer should be obvious.

jeff70

Once done with the swap I will be into my cart around $1,600 and that is including the cost of the cart and the V twin.

utmgrad

vanguard is a twin and will give you more torque.
Here are some things I've learned while trying to convert a carryall to a vanguard.
Make sure it's a 1" straight shaft and not tapered.
Make sure it has a fuel pump. The carbs are different on gravity fed motors.
Be ready to buy or build your exhaust.
A low profile air filter will help it fit under the seat.
You'll need to lift the cart or modify the engine mount to get under the seat (allow for suspension flex)
Follow the sticky at the top of the page to wire it.
Test run it on a bench before you put it in the cart. Bending over working on it in the cart sucks.
You can save money doing it on your own, but by the time you get it going the price of the kits starts sounding pretty reasonable.
That's 2 cents from a guy still trying to get his going.

bokeasmowl

Keep searching. I found a 14 and a 18 for $100. Had the 18 built for around $600 including a new Comet 94C clutch. Had a clone in my cart first and it busted. Save your pennies for a vanguard.

sho305

Clone is about twice the power of a tired stock engine, new clones are dirt cheap at $3-400 brand new. Twin is larger, sounds cooler, makes more torque, with mods can make lots of power. You can mod either a lot, plenty of race parts out there for both. Vanguard twins are roughly 4X the price for a new one. Last time I checked it was about 600 for a rebuilt stock yamaha G9 engine, so a new clone is cheaper and why many use them. You do still have to build/buy an exhaust and some other details for any engine. You may want an aftermarket clutch for a larger engine many are about $300 new but work better and are new. Unless you have a newer cart things tend to be worn on carts.You can go cheap and rebuild a used twin, long as you have no problem with doing it and dealing with possible issues. Clone or twin mount in a cart similarly.

I put a clone in mine because I wanted new for this cart and didn't want to pay for a vanguard. It works great. Would I like a twin, well for all you twin guys....I rather have a V motor out of a yami Vmax bike but that wouldn't really fit my needs lol.

Bronco Barney

Thanks for the info guys.... Ya Jeff a Vanguard will be in my future but for now unless I find one I can't pass up.... I still have to find a G16 or better Yamaha.... Or are EZGO's as wide as a Yamaha G16??

MrNeon

I'm putting a 21 Vanguard in my G16 now. Look for my build thread. I am about halfway there. I bought the motor used for $250 shipped. Didn't run and I had about another $300 in rebuilding it but it screams now. Used is ok if your hands on and can fab from mounts to exhaust and things. I chose to go that route due to funds, my son needs braces-----$6000 for the whole deal!!!!