What is the better clone?

nocerus03

Hey guys. So the briggs motor in my cart took a dump and now i am looking for another motor. Just wanted to get some feedback. What is the better clone? Harbor Freight 420cc (13hp) or the Duromax 16hp? I can get both for about the same price. Just need some input on which would be the better buy?

BGW

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danman

You should really check out Geoff's motors over at Vegas carts.

That being said, I remember Geoff saying the predator motor was a slightly better motor than the duromax.

nocerus03

I have looked at his motors. They are top notch and excellent quality. Only thing is that the predator motor at HF is $349.99 and i have a 25% off coupon. Brings the total to $262.49. With xmas right around the corner this price is very appealing. Not taking anything away from Vegas Carts (i would love to support a site sponsor) but i also need to make sure that santa is good to my boy this year.

slonomo

Before you make your decision.....consider the following:

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/clone...-vs-vegas.html

In my search, I decided to go with Vegas Carts 440. Here are "MY" reasons...
1. I was going to modify the engine for more than stock rpm (3500)
2. I wanted "durability" more than "cheap price"
3. I was likely going to modify the clone for "more power" down the road

With my calculations, the Vegas Carts 440 clone will save me around $200 in aftermarket modifications/parts.

Now, with that said. If you are likely going to keep your engine bone stock, then by all means the Predator is the way to go. You will have more power than the stock golf cart engine, good reliability, and you can still always modify it down the road if you want to.

M16er

Nocerus, I did the same thing you did with coupon and all, but I was going to spend more money and time, not to mention wanting to remove the internal governor, I took mine back and went with Geoffs 440. I don't think the subject if cutting the shaft down and drilling and tapping it deeper has been brought up yet either.

nocerus03

Thanks for the link slonomo. Some good reading. You might have just pursuaded me enough to buy the 440

M16er, thanks for adding about the crank shaft. I have already been down this road before. When i got my cart it didnt have a motor in it. (See my link to my build in my sig) so i am aware of what is needed to do to these "stock" motors before they can get dropped in the cart. After reading the thread that slonomo added in the earlier post, i am swaying towards the Vegas motor. I just really want to make sure that xmas is great at my house this year for my family. In reality, without the coupon at HF the Vegas 440 isnt that much more expensive. And for what you get for the work that Geoff has done to it, I have learned that its probably money well spent. Thanks for the input everyone. Vegas Carts will more than likely be getting a phone call or email from me very soon. Geoff if you are listening... get a 440 crated up for me. Credit card to follow!!

hookm

What Briggs engine dumped? If it was a V-twin you can be the first to compare the two.hookm

fabricatorjay

i got a predator from hf,and love it,i have plenty of torque and a desent amount of speed,its been running great, even cold starts,either way you go youll be happy............

ender

440 hands down! I only wish the 440 was around earlier in the year when I started my HD 420 build. Would have saved me hours of build time and lots of $$$. I doubt the others have even put half the thought into casting quality and other details that Geoff has. The worst thing is, I wound up talking to Geoff enough throughout my build that I feel guilty I couldn't buy more from him!

nocerus03

No it wasnt a v-twin unfortunately. I had gotten a single lung 13hp briggs from a buddy of mine. He said that it came out of an industrial sized pressure washer.

One thing that i got to thinking about last night is in reference to clutching. If i go with the 440 from Vegas i will most definitely have to reclutch. Right now i am running the factory EZGO clutch. It was sufficient with the briggs motor but with the HP that the Vegas motor makes i am sure that it will be lacking. Can any of you guys that have the 440 let me know your thoughts or tell me what you did to your clutching to match the motor?