Opinions on FZ340 vs. FE290 Kawasaki motors

[Onebean]

I'm looking at a 1991 cart that I think has the FZ340 in it. The owner claims it's 14 hp, Club Car says 9 hp. Is there a big difference between these two engines? I don't see many performance parts for the FZ340.

Onebean

[lockman1]

KF82/FZ340 = 9 hp
FE290 = 9.5 hp
FE350 = 11.5 hp
FE400 = 13.5 hp

With the KF82/FZ340 flat head engine, the most common problem I've read about is that the "oil slinger" breaks,
(attached to the bottom of the piston rod to fling oil though out the crankcase)
They were only in production for some 6 or 7 years until Club Car changed over to the FE290 OHV engines,
which started in production from 1992, and still used today.

Don't get me wrong... most of the BGW members that have them, like them!
and yes... parts for the KF82/FZ340's are a little difficult to come by, but are available if you look in the right place.
and again yes... performance parts for those engines are minimal compared to the FE series engines.

All in all, the KF82/FZ340 is not a bad engine, but the FE series engine are much better in my opinion!

my .02

[Onebean]

Originally Posted by lockman1

KF82/FZ340 = 9 hp
FE290 = 9.5 hp
FE350 = 11.5 hp
FE400 = 13.5 hp

With the KF82/FZ340 flat head engine, the most common problem I've read about is that the "oil slinger" breaks,
(attached to the bottom of the piston rod to fling oil though out the crankcase)
They were only in production for some 6 or 7 years until Club Car changed over to the FE290 OHV engines,
which started in production from 1992, and still used today.

Don't get me wrong... most of the BGW members that have them, like them!
and yes... parts for the KF82/FZ340's are a little difficult to come by, but are available if you look in the right place.
and again yes... performance parts for those engines are minimal compared to the FE series engines.

All in all, the KF82/FZ340 is not a bad engine, but the FE series engine are much better in my opinion!

my .02

Thanks for the info. I'm trying to spend my cart money as wise as possible, and all this information helps for sure.

[tpg]

Go with a cart that has a 290. You will be miles ahead. The 340 likes to get a knocking noise in them.