Engine rebuild or ?

SGF

In a previous thread in ezgo gas with the same title as this one, I addressed my situation where I have to rebuild or replace my 2006 TXT engine. I have now narrowed my choices to rebuilding the Robin's or replacing it with this Vegas Carts kit http://www.vegascarts.com/product-p/25eztxtkit.htm . I do not anticipate buying anything beyond this kit.

I have read what I could find on Vegas clone swaps but I'm looking for input and potential pitfalls. I've accepted the fact that I am not going to find time to do the work. Because a shop will be doing the work a smooth process is critical. If the work turns into one fabrication challenge after another it will obviously get very expensive very quick, since the shop charges by the hour. The shop owner has looked the swap manual over and they think they can do it in six hours. They have done a couple of Honda clone swaps in the past but Vegas carts says ten hours so I'd like to know how some of you did with time. Frankly, if it is likely that it will be over ten hours I will probably just rebuild the Robin's. I should also mention what my goal is in doing this. I use the cart around a hobby farm. I don't care about top speed. My only goal in doing this is to get more power for doing work, like pulling a trailer. Also, there is nothing more important than reliability. I'd appreciate any input you might offer.

BGW

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raydhd

Can't speak for a club cart but in my yamaha G14 the base swap 6 hours is very realistic. Getting the right throttle feel and quieting the exhaust were time burners for me.The complete vegascarts kit is very well designed which makes it a true bolt in.As far as reliability I have over 140 hours on mine with ZERO problems.Mine is a 2014 VC engine with still the stock rod and stock cam.As far as power it will chirp my 24" tires and I still lift off the throttle at 5200 rpms which is a shade over 40 mph.

sho305

Going with a clone or better yet the vegas 460 will certainly give you more power to do things, even a stock 420 clone is way beyond stock for power. The 460 has performance parts and more power than a 420 for the extra cost. Both would be a new engine, the 420 cheaper is all.

I would think the Vegas time is for a homeowner/etc average person, a mechanic should be able to do it much faster. Buying the swap kit with the mount and such makes the swap much faster. I made my own welded in mount, bought a custom header but had to weld that together to fit, made a custom air box system from a car box and assorted pvc and rubber hose. That stuff took a lot of time, nobody had mounts and kits back then.

SGF

Thanks to both of you for the input. The Vegas Carts rep. recommended the 460. Maybe the 420 won't work for my EZGo cart or maybe he thought the 460 is a better choice for a farm cart that Will do some towing. If the 460 has performance parts and the 420 not, I may ask about it as an option. In my experience reliability is better with stock engine parts. Speed is of no concern to me but torque is.

My plan is to get the optional muffler. Lots of noise isn't appealing on a cart I feed livestock with. I have no idea how loud it'll be with the muffler but I'm hoping not much louder than the Vangard in my WorkHorse cart.

raydhd

The VC engine has the stronger 10 bolt versus the 7 bolt the other clones engine block.It also comes with a billet connecting rod with replaceable bearings the some of the karters say it safe up to 8000 rpms.These features plus the billet push rods and comp cams valve springs all make for a much more durable engine over the stocker.Certainly if you run it hard it will be even more durable.For the $300 difference you are getting an engine manufactured for golf cart use versus one made for more mundane purposes.But if you budget does not allow for the extra cost plenty of people run the cheaper clones and get the use out of them.Also have fun which ever way you choose.One other note if you use some other clone you will have to cut and retap the crankshaft to fit the clutch.

SGF

I think my limited knowledge of clones is causing confusion. I am not considering other options besides a Vegas Carts clone or a rebuild of my Robins stock engine. I thought the 420 was a stock option from VC and the 460 was a modified option. I think I am clear now and the 420 is not a VC option but the 460 obviously is. Sorry about the confusion. I had concerns that the 460's performance leanings might affect reliability but it sounds like it won't based on the input I've received.

sho305

Some buy a 420 clone and use the vegas mounts and other swap parts to install it. The 460 is better, it is worth the cost, it has more reliable HD parts, it does have more power. I would have put one in my cart if they had that deal back then. However a 420 plain clone is certainly better than stock in power, reliable if you don't abuse it, and can be eventually built up near what the Vegas engine will do as it takes the same parts. Of course the Vegas engine comes built and almost cheaper with all the parts in it than you will spend, and it has a HD block other clones don't have. If its in your budget I would certainly recommend it. You can go to a v twin kit but cost goes up quite a bit for that larger engine, and the 420 clone has near double the power of stock engines the Vegas more yet. It is hard to beat the cost for a new engine with a clone or vegas if they meet your needs.

The normal Vegas muffler is not quiet, they have a new one that is better now. If you want to be quiet as stock or close you may have to fit a larger muffler lots of threads here about that. You should not use the cart muffler that engine is smaller and will be too restrictive.

SGF

I'll look for the muffler threads. Thanks.