The BIG Question....

Kustrud

I have had the clone a while now and got it tuned pretty well and am pleased with it! Question is what to do next?! Do I:

1. Order the cam and billet rod with bearing for my clone?

2. Go the V-Twin route?

Opinions please....

BGW

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TheNewGuy

CAUTION

Once you go v-twin.....you will never go back!

Not just v-twin but B/S Vanguard!

Ron


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bokeasmowl

V-Twin Vanguard. You can have it anywhere between mild and wild. I like mine wild.

Rjl2006KR

PM Sent.

slonomo

I had my VC440 for a year and then decided to build it all the way, big racing cam, billet rod, 1.3 rockers, yadda yadda yadda. Here's what I can tell you....it is now sitting on my garage floor, I have a Vanguard 16, and I have a pile of Vanguard parts (cam, 2bbl carb) to install. So, if I could do it all over, I'd skip the VC440 and go right to the Vanguard.

This is not a knock on the VC440/460, they are screamers on the top end. But I'm a motorhead and I figure I took that engine about as far as I could go with it....and it wasn't enough for me.

So what's next for me? Well, after I build the 16hp engine, I'll prob end up with a 23hp version....then who knows what....?

sho305

I think it really depends on what you want to do with the cart. The clones like to rev (with just springs and timing key) so top speeds are impressive. Twins have torque so powerful bottom end to them, but unless you build them up they don't like to rev as well as even mild clones do. Twins sound cooler to some, they are larger engines so they have torque and capacity to make more power with mods. Mods are more expensive if available, the clone is cheap to build up.

With my cart the clone is great, it has way more power than stock and top speed is more than I need at close to 40mph . I don't really need a twin, it would be slower until it was built up, I don't need more power in this cart really. It gets used by others at times, pedal start, its ideal, it runs like stock other than the power and speed. I rather put the funds into another cart or other toys. I am considering the mild cam and rod, it would run better without being wild, it would be more reliable with the rod. I have made an intake to fit a CV carb because the stock one is not ideal, so with the cheater cam and rod it would maximize all those other mods I have.

If you have a fun cart or trail only cart then larger engine is usually a good thing, you may want to go for it. I do yard work with mine and really like the pedal start and is reliable, I don't see how I'd gain much for the cost/install labor of getting a twin. I rather put one in another cart that would be more for trail use mostly not everything use like this cart.

Morgan44

Imho, vanguard, no question. I wouldnt invest any more money into something that you will say "should I go vtwin now?" Or "I wish I had more power". Move on to the big dog and you will never look back.

sho305

If I were to go v twin I'd find one, get it all built up whatever I was going to do with it, then install it. If you get all the parts for a vanny it may take you a little bit to find them. You need a new exhaust also.

Another issue is this cart hauls at near 40, it really needs a better suspension and front brakes. I don't really use the cart that fast I rarely go over 30 much and certainly don't drive it like some kind of atv. Just saying with a built up vanny I would need an atv front or LT with brakes, rebuild the rear suspension too, really I should have that now but I don't drive it that aggressively. For the trails I run I could not use more power without major upgrades like that. Right now it can get up to speed fast and the next bump or corner is on me and I'm bouncing off the seat. You might run very different conditions than I do. Wide open places sure I can hammer it but don't see that very much.

Far as the clone its what 200-250 for a rod, cheater cam (more for a high lift), springs, pushrods or whatever else. We have not seen a good comparison between a stock 420 and cam 420, or even a 420 vs 460 that comes with the cheater cam. Nobody is really saying how much difference it is though one can guess what you will get.

TheNewGuy

18 hp Vanguard with just a rev kit = 40+ mph on 24" tires and a massive amount of torque.

This engine runs smoother, quieter, cooler, is better lubricated and has a replaceable oil filter. Flat out, more powerful !!! However, it can be more expensive. Note: I have both, Honda clone and Vanguard.

Currently breaking in my new 23 hp Vanguard.

Ron


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raydhd

Cooler in temp? My clone is very cool compared to the stocker. Early on with it being so cool under the seat I wonder if I was not tuned for full power.