Is it worth it going BIGGER than an 18 or 23HP on a BB swap?

BLACK DEATH · 05-01-2010, 08:16 PM

Guys this may be a question already covered but doing a search didnt produce exactly what I was looking for or I didnt use the right word.

Is it really worth it going bigger than 18 or 23 HP in a small engine platform like a vanguard, kohler or honda for a BB swap? Im not talking about a motorcycle swap for big HP gains, just small engine BB swaps for easier installation. I know the price of an engine may make the biggest decision on this but is it worth it? Thats a question I need to know. An 18hp - $1150 shipped, 23 - $1350 shipped, 31 - $1800 and a 35 - $2050 shipped, these prices dont include muffs either and are price of Vanguards. So for $700 more dollars is 12HP worth it? Or what problems may one encounter other than a clutch but they have a 1-1/8 shaft clutch now so thats not an issue. Would love any thoughts on this subject as I am sure other may too. Is anyone running bigger than 23HP also?

scottyb · 05-01-2010, 08:36 PM

I am running a 25 hp subaru robbins in my workhorse and it is great

BLACK DEATH · 05-01-2010, 08:49 PM

Did you get a good deal on that motor? What you spin it up to rpm wise? Ive posted a couple of times on craigslist for a small engine. Biggest I found was a 14 kohler, its lucj to find a bigger one. I got a used 18 hp vanny at a good price but before i go this route, gotta see if bigger is better.

scottyb · 05-01-2010, 09:34 PM

25 hp is nearly 2 1/2 times the original. I don't worry about rpms. I run it by ear, keep it under 5G. She has gobs of power.... You are bargain hunting so you just kinda gotta run what you find, 18 is good, more is better..... what did you want to hear? I have 30 hp and it suks

Just wait until the right motor comes along and keep building up the motor swap fund

mikesmotortoys · 05-01-2010, 09:50 PM

I have a 20hp Briggs (well, that's what it started at) that is a beast. But it's not one that you find on Craigslist, though

Always been a Honda man myself - UNTIL I built one with a Briggs!

Like Scotty said - Find what you can and start the fabrication

CC-John · 05-01-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottyb

25 hp is nearly 2 1/2 times the original. I don't worry about rpms. I run it by ear, keep it under 5G. She has gobs of power.... You are bargain hunting so you just kinda gotta run what you find, 18 is good, more is better..... what did you want to hear? I have 30 hp and it suks

Just wait until the right motor comes along and keep building up the motor swap fund

I have 30 HP (23 Vanny w/mods) in my EZ, and it sucks big time!!!!! It sucks the leaves off of the trees when I blow down the street, it sucks gas like a mofo!!

But it still can't suck that chiteatin' grin off of my face when I nail it from a dead stop!!!

BigBlockMan · 05-01-2010, 10:05 PM

Hey Mike hows your runnin?
We always knew you would come around once you had a Vanguard. (Briggs is built in Milwaukee, Vanguard is Japanese) just like Honda and Kawasaki. Actully made by Mitsubushi. 23 HP should be plenty for most, Never had a customer come back from a test drive and say they wanted more. LOL Most don't even get out of parking lot before we hear "HOLY #%$&"

BigBlockMan · 05-01-2010, 10:08 PM

Quote:

But it still can't suck that chiteatin' grin off of my face when I nail it from a dead stop!!!

LMAO
Hey John, Your right that grin is tough to get rid of. TheNewGuy's had his for 4-5 years now. LOL

BLACK DEATH · 05-01-2010, 10:19 PM

[QUOTE=scottyb;399316]what did you want to hear? I have 30 hp and it suks

QUOTE]

How come I knew this was coming...

Yeah i know more HP is better, but is it worth it going bigger from 18 or 23HP? That was really my question.

BLACK DEATH · 05-01-2010, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC-John

I have 30 HP (23 Vanny w/mods) in my EZ, and it sucks big time!!!!! It sucks the leaves off of the trees when I blow down the street, it sucks gas like a mofo!!

But it still can't suck that chiteatin' grin off of my face when I nail it from a dead stop!!!

You make me wanna get a Briggs in the 30 now

05-01-2010, 08:16 PM	#1
BLACK DEATH Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Corpus Christi, TX Posts: 1,644	Is it worth it going BIGGER than an 18 or 23HP on a BB swap? Guys this may be a question already covered but doing a search didnt produce exactly what I was looking for or I didnt use the right word. Is it really worth it going bigger than 18 or 23 HP in a small engine platform like a vanguard, kohler or honda for a BB swap? Im not talking about a motorcycle swap for big HP gains, just small engine BB swaps for easier installation. I know the price of an engine may make the biggest decision on this but is it worth it? Thats a question I need to know. An 18hp - $1150 shipped, 23 - $1350 shipped, 31 - $1800 and a 35 - $2050 shipped, these prices dont include muffs either and are price of Vanguards. So for $700 more dollars is 12HP worth it? Or what problems may one encounter other than a clutch but they have a 1-1/8 shaft clutch now so thats not an issue. Would love any thoughts on this subject as I am sure other may too. Is anyone running bigger than 23HP also?

05-01-2010, 08:36 PM	#2
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,419	Re: Is it worth it going BIGGER than an 18 or 23HP on a BB swap? I am running a 25 hp subaru robbins in my workhorse and it is great

05-01-2010, 08:49 PM	#3
BLACK DEATH Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Corpus Christi, TX Posts: 1,644	Re: Is it worth it going BIGGER than an 18 or 23HP on a BB swap? Did you get a good deal on that motor? What you spin it up to rpm wise? Ive posted a couple of times on craigslist for a small engine. Biggest I found was a 14 kohler, its lucj to find a bigger one. I got a used 18 hp vanny at a good price but before i go this route, gotta see if bigger is better.

05-01-2010, 09:34 PM	#4
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,419	Re: Is it worth it going BIGGER than an 18 or 23HP on a BB swap? 25 hp is nearly 2 1/2 times the original. I don't worry about rpms. I run it by ear, keep it under 5G. She has gobs of power.... You are bargain hunting so you just kinda gotta run what you find, 18 is good, more is better..... what did you want to hear? I have 30 hp and it suks Just wait until the right motor comes along and keep building up the motor swap fund

05-01-2010, 09:50 PM	#5
mikesmotortoys Gone Wild Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rockwall, Texas (Dallas / Ft. Worth) Posts: 7,077	Re: Is it worth it going BIGGER than an 18 or 23HP on a BB swap? I have a 20hp Briggs (well, that's what it started at) that is a beast. But it's not one that you find on Craigslist, though Always been a Honda man myself - UNTIL I built one with a Briggs! Like Scotty said - Find what you can and start the fabrication
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05-01-2010, 10:05 PM	#7
BigBlockMan Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Southwest Georgia Posts: 1,469	Re: Is it worth it going BIGGER than an 18 or 23HP on a BB swap? Hey Mike hows your runnin? We always knew you would come around once you had a Vanguard. (Briggs is built in Milwaukee, Vanguard is Japanese) just like Honda and Kawasaki. Actully made by Mitsubushi. 23 HP should be plenty for most, Never had a customer come back from a test drive and say they wanted more. LOL Most don't even get out of parking lot before we hear "HOLY #%$&"

05-01-2010, 10:19 PM	#9
BLACK DEATH Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Corpus Christi, TX Posts: 1,644	Re: Is it worth it going BIGGER than an 18 or 23HP on a BB swap? [QUOTE=scottyb;399316]what did you want to hear? I have 30 hp and it suks QUOTE] How come I knew this was coming... Yeah i know more HP is better, but is it worth it going bigger from 18 or 23HP? That was really my question.

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